Course

Unit 1

Evolution of Indian Democracy 

• Democracy – Definition and Features 
• India towards a Republic: Constituent Assembly Debates, Vision of the Founders- Westminster Model and its Indian Adaptation 
• Reorganization of States (SRC, linguistic principle, political consequences) Non-Alignment Policy 
• No-First-Use Doctrine & Early Nuclear Policy 

Unit 2

Federalism and Centre–State Dynamics 

• Indian Federal System: Unitary & Federal Features 
• Centre – State Legislative, Administrative & Financial Relations 
• Sarkaria Commission, Punchhi Commission, and Contemporary recommendations President’s Rule in States: Constitutional Practice & Judicial Review 
• Inter-State Relations: Water disputes and inter-state councils 
• Abrogation of Article 370 — Federalism, autonomy, and democratic implications 

Unit 3

Political Processes, Party System & Electoral Dynamics 

• Coalition Politics in India — Evolution from 1989 to present
• Political Corruption: structural issues and public accountability
• Leadership Cult & Personality-centric Politics 
• Authoritarian Populism: global trend & Indian manifestations
• Electoral bonds and Campaign finance 

Unit 4

Identity Politics 

• Caste in Indian Politics: Mandal commission, Social Justice, Electoral Behavior Language Politics: linguistic movements, Hindi debates 
• Regionalism: Dravidian movement, sub-nationalism 
• Reservation Policy: rationale, challenges, evolving jurisprudence Censorship & Freedom of Expression: press, cinema, digital platforms
• Citizenship Debates: CAA & NRC as democratic controversies 

Unit 5

Contemporary Challenges & Democratic Resilience 

• North- East India: Ethnic diversity and Conflicts Terrorism & National Security vs Civil Liberties 
• Changing Foreign Policy Priorities — Post-Cold War, Quad, Indo-Pacific Economic framework 
• India’s Soft Power & Cultural Diplomacy 
• Women Empowerment: The marital rape exception debate 

Course Objectives: 

1. To trace the historical evolution of Indian democracy from independence to the present,with particular emphasis on constitutional values and nation-building processes. 
2. To examine the functioning of India’s federal structure and analyze Centre -State relations in light of constitutional provisions, commissions, and judicial interpretations. 
3. To analyze the dynamics of political processes, party systems, and electoral practices, including emerging trends such as coalition politics and authoritarian populism. 
4. To critically understand the role of identity, diversity, and social mobilization in shaping democratic discourse and policy-making in India. 
5. To evaluate contemporary challenges confronting Indian democracy, including internal security, economic reforms, foreign policy shifts, and the resilience of democratic institutions. 

Course Outcomes: 

Upon completion of the course, the students will be able to: 

1. Explain the foundational principles and evolutionary trajectory of Indian democracy using constitutional and historical perspectives. 
2. Analyze federal dynamics and Centre – State relations by applying constitutional provisions, commission reports, and landmark judicial decisions. 
3. Assess political institutions, party systems, and electoral behavior in India with reference to democratic theory and contemporary political developments. 
4. Critically evaluate identity-based politics and democratic contestations relating to caste, religion, language, gender, and citizenship. 
5. Apply constitutional and political reasoning to contemporary democratic challenges, including governance, security, economic policy, and foreign relations. 

Teaching Methodology: Pedagogy: Lecture, Discussion, debates, MOOC courses, documentary viewing and discussion 

1. Appadorai, A. The Substance of Politics. Oxford UP, 1975. 
2. Austin, Granville. The Indian Constitution: Cornerstone of a Nation. Oxford UP, 1966. 
3. Austin, Granville. Working a Democratic Constitution: The Indian Experience. Oxford UP, 1999. 
4. Baruah, Sanjib. India Against Itself: Assam and the Politics of Nationality. University of Pennsylvania Press, 1999. 
5. Basu, Durga Das. Introduction to the Constitution of India. 27th ed., LexisNexis, 2023. 
6. Chhibber, Pradeep, and Rahul Verma. Ideology and Identity: The Changing Party Systems of India. Oxford UP, 2018. 
7. Constituent Assembly of India. Constituent Assembly Debates (Official Report). Vols. I– XII, Government of India, 1946–1950. 
8. Hasan, Zoya. Politics of Inclusion: Caste, Minorities and Affirmative Action. Oxford UP, 2009. 
9. Jayal, Niraja Gopal. Citizenship and Its Discontents: An Indian History. Harvard UP, 2013. 
10. Nehru, Jawaharlal. India’s Foreign Policy: Selected Speeches. Publications Division, Government of India, 1961. 
11. Pant, Harsh V. Indian Foreign Policy: An Overview. 2nd ed., Oxford UP, 2020. 
12. Perkovich, George. India’s Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation. University of California Press, 1999. 
13. Punchhi Commission. Report on Centre–State Relations. Government of India, 2010. 
14. Rao, B. Shiva. The Framing of India’s Constitution: Select Documents. Vols. I–V, Indian Institute of Public Administration, 1967. 
15. Sarkaria Commission. Report of the Commission on Centre–State Relations. Government of India, 1988. 
16. Singh, M. P., and Rekha Saxena. Indian Politics: Constitutional Foundations and Institutional Functioning. Revised ed., PHI Learning, 2022.17. Sridharan, E., editor. Coalition Politics and Democratic Consolidation in India. Oxford 
17. UP, 2014.