Course Teachers: Dr. Avinash Samal/Dr. B. K. Mahakul/Dr.

Anita Samal


Semester - III
Indian Political System: Institutional and Political Dynamics

1. Meaning, Nature and Type of Political Systems
Meaning of political system: Characteristics of Political Systems
Type of Political Systems: Democratic and Authoritarian, Parliamentary and Presidential, Federal &
Unitary; Indian Political System Structures, Processes and Functions

2. The Constitution of India:
The Preamble to the Constitution of India: Salient features of the Indian Constitution

3. Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles of State Policy
Constitutional provisions and political dynamics

4. The Union Executive:
President, Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, Constitutional framework and political trends.

5. Parliament: The Legislature
Powers and functions of the Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha; Parliamentary Committees; Functioning of the
Parliamentary System in India.

6. The Judiciary: The Supreme Court, the High Courts, Judicial Review, Judicial Activism, Public
Interest Litigation; Judicial Reforms

7. The State Executive:
Governor, Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers; Constitutional Provisions and Political Trends.

8. Indian Federalism at Work:
Centre-state relations: legislative, administrative and financial

9. Pressure Groups and Political Parties
Interest Groups/Pressure groups in Indian politics
Party System in India: Ideology and Social Base of Political Parties; National and Regional Parties;
Regionalization and Fragmentation of the Party System, Coalition Politics and Governmental Instability
in India

10. Defections in Indian politics: Constitution 52
nd
Amendment Act, 1985; 10
th
Schedule of the
Constitution

11. Local Self-Government in India: Panchayati Raj and Local Self-Government; Structure, Power &
Functions; Significance of 73
rd
and 74
th
Constitutional Amendments; Changes in Power Structure and
Empowerment of the Marginalized Groups such as SCs/STs and Women.

Suggested Readings:

1. Granville Austin, Indian Constitution Cornerstone of a Nation, Oxford Publication
2. Granville Austin (1999) - Working Democratic Constitution: The Indian Experience, Oxford
Publication.
3. Durga Das Basu (2006) An introduction to the Constitution of India, Prentice Hall, New
Delhi, 2006.
4. J. R. Siwach (1990) Dynamics of Indian government and politics, Sterling Publishers, New
Delhi
5. J C Johari (2001) - Indian Government and Politics, Shoban Nagin Lal & Co
Course Teachers: Dr. Avinash Samal/Dr. B. K. Mahakul/Dr. Anita Samal

6. J C Johari (2004) - Constitution of India (3
rd
Revised Edition), Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,
New Delhi
7. J C Johari (2009) - Indian Polity, Lotus Press Publisher, New Delhi
8. J C Johari, Reflections on Indian politics; A critical commentary on development and decay
of the Indian political system, Sultan and Chand publications
9. Rajani Kothari - Politics in India
10. A S Narang - Indian Govt. and Politics
11. M.P. Singh and Himanshu Roy - Indian Government and Politics
12. M P Singh and Satish K Jha (2006) - Indian Government And PolItics: A Political
Commentary
13. P. C. Gupta (2009) Indian Government & Politics, Sublime Publication
14. Archana Chaturvedi (2006). Indian Government and Politics, Commonwealth Publisher
15. K.K. Ghai (2007)- Indian Government and Politics, Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi.