Law Optional UPSC Syllabus

Law is one of the optional subjects for UPSC IAS offered for candidates to choose for the mains examination. The UPSC Law optional syllabus covers various aspects of the law such as constitutional law, criminal law, international law and many more. The UPSC Syllabus for Law optional requires a thorough understanding of legal principles and knowledge of current legal developments. The UPSC Law optional syllabus is considered one of the most challenging optional subjects and requires extensive reading and preparation.

UPSC Law Optional Syllabus For Paper 1

The Law Optional UPSC Syllabus for paper 1 is focused on the topics like Constitutional & Administrative Law and International Law. Given below is a detailed UPSC Law Syllabus for Optional Paper 1 of the mains exam.

1. Constitutional and Administrative Law

• Constitution and Constitutionalism: The distinctive features of the Constitution
• Fundamental Rights - Public Interest Litigation; Legal Aid; Legal Services Authority
• Relationship between Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties
• Constitutional Position of the President and relation with the Council of Ministers
• Governor and his Powers
• Supreme Court and the High Court:
  • Appointments and Transfer
  • Powers, Functions and Jurisdiction
• Centre, States and Local Bodies:
  • Distribution of Legislative Powers between the Union and the States
  • Local Bodies
  • Administrative relationship among Union, State and Local Bodies
  • Eminent Domain - State Property-Common Property-Community Property
• Legislative Powers, Privileges and Immunities
• Services under the Union and the States
  • Recruitment and conditions of Services; Constitutional Safeguards; Administrative Tribunals
  • Union Public Service Commission and State Public Service Commissions - Power and Functions
  • Election Commission - Power and Functions
• Emergency Provisions
• Amendment of the Constitution.
• Principle of Natural Justice - Emerging Trends and Judicial Approach
• Delegated Legislation and its Constitutionality
• Separation of Powers and Constitutional Governance
• Judicial Review of Administrative action
• Ombudsman: Lokayukta, Lokpal etc.

2. International Law

• Nature and Definition of International Law
• Relationship between International Law and Municipal Law
• State Recognition and State Succession
• Law of the Sea: Inland Waters, Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and High Seas
• Individuals: Nationality, Statelessness; Human Rights and procedures available for their enforcement
• Territorial Jurisdiction of States, Extradition and Asylum
• Treaties: Formation, Application, Termination and Reservation
• United Nations: Its Principal Organs, Powers, Functions and Reform
• Peaceful settlement of disputes - different modes
• Lawful recourse to force: Aggressions, Self-Defence, Intervention
• Fundamental Principles of international Humanitarian Law - International conventions and contemporary developments
• Legality of the use of Nuclear Weapons; Ban on testing of Nuclear Weapons; Nuclear non- proliferation treaty, CTST
• International Terrorism, State Sponsored Terrorism, Hijacking, International Criminal Court
• New International Economic Order and Monetary Law: WTO, TRIPS, GATT, IMF, World Bank
• Protection and Improvement of the Human Environment: International Efforts

UPSC Law Optional Syllabus For Paper 2

The Law Optional UPSC Syllabus for Paper 2 is focused on topics like Laws of Crimes, Law of Torts, Law of Contracts and Mercantile Law and Contemporary Legal Developments. Have a look at the detailed UPSC Law Optional Syllabus for Paper 2 of the mains exam below:

1. Law of Crimes

• General Principles of Criminal Liability: Mens Rea and Actus Reus, Mens Rea in Statutory Offences
• Kinds of Punishment and emerging trends as to Abolition of Capital Punishment
• Preparations and Criminal Attempt
• General Exceptions
• Joint and Constructive Liability
• Abetment
• Criminal Conspiracy
• Offences against the State
• Offences against Public Tranquility
• Offences against Human Body
• Offences against Property
• Offences against Women
• Defamation
• Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
• Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and Subsequent Legislative Developments
• Plea Bargaining

2. Law of Torts

• Nature and Definition
• Liability based upon Fault and Strict Liability; Absolute Liability
• Vicarious Liability including State Liability
• General Defences
• Joint Tort Fessors
• Remedies
• Negligence
• Defamation
• Nuisance
• Conspiracy
• False Imprisonment
• Malicious Prosecution
• Consumer Protection Act, 1986

3. Law of Contracts and Mercantile Law

• Nature and Formation of Contract/E-Contract
• Factors vitiating Free Consent
• Void, Voidable, Illegal and Unenforceable Agreements
• Performance and Discharge of Contracts
• Quasi Contracts
• Consequences of Breach of Contract
• Contract of Indemnity, Guarantee and Insurance
• Contract of Agency
• Sale of Goods and Hire Purchase
• Formation and Dissolution of Partnership
• Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
• Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
• Standard Form Contracts

4. Contemporary Legal Developments

• Public Interest Litigation
• Intellectual Property Rights - Concept, Types/Prospects
• Information Technology Law including Cyber Laws - Concept, Purpose/Prospects
• Competition Law - Concept, Purpose/Prospects
• Alternate Dispute Resolution - Concept, Types/Prospects
• Major statutes concerning Environmental Law
• Right to Information Act
• Trial by Media

UPSC Law Optional Syllabus PDF

This Law Optional UPSC Syllabus PDF covers the entire syllabus for law optional in a structured and easy-to-understand format. It is designed to help you prepare for law optional subject efficiently and effectively for the examination. Candidates can click on the below link and download the UPSC Law Optional Syllabus PDF.

Tips To Prepare For UPSC Law Optional Syllabus

As mentioned earlier, the law requires an immense amount of persistent dedication. It might be easier for candidates from a Law background as compared to candidates from different backgrounds.

1. Pen down the syllabus and the strategy planned to execute to achieve decent merit in the UPSC Law.
2. Go through all the important books from the Law College.
3. Practice previous years’ question papers thoroughly.
4. Revise time and time again after completing every topic.
5. Appear for mock-tests, test series and understand the subject well.

Best Books For UPSC Law Optional Syllabus

Some of the best books to study the complete UPSC Law optional subject are mentioned below:

This article presented detailed information about the UPSC Law optional syllabus along with some reference books for your UPSC exam preparation. For step-by-step guidance, preparation strategies, test series, syllabus and etc. do install Testbook App. Happy Learning!