Quick revision guide for UGC NET Constitutional and Administrative Law covering high-priority topics, key case laws, and preparation tips for working professionals. Master Unit 2 efficiently. This article is written by Urvi Shah, Senior Associate at LawSikho.

If you’re a working professional preparing for UGC NET Law, you already know the challenge: limited time, vast syllabus, and the pressure to score well. 

But here’s the good news: Constitutional and Administrative Law (Unit II) is your strategic advantage.

This unit consistently delivers 20-30% of  Paper II  marks, with predictable patterns and high yield topics that reward smart preparation over exhaustive reading. 

Fundamental Rights, Emergency Provisions, and Natural Justice principles dominate question papers year after year. 

Master these core areas, memorize key case laws and you’ll confidently tackle questions that leave unprepared candidates guessing.

This guide cuts through the clutter. No lengthy textbooks, no overwhelming details, just the exact topics, case laws, and strategies that maximize your score in minimum time. 

Let’s turn Unit II into your scoring powerhouse.

Why Does Unit II Matter for Your UGC NET Score?

Constitutional and Administrative Law is not just another unit in your Paper II syllabus. It is a scoring goldmine that rewards candidates who understand patterns and prioritize smartly. 

The NTA consistently draws heavily from this unit, making it one of your best opportunities to accumulate marks efficiently.

Question Weightage and Exam Trends

Recent examination data reveal significant variation in Unit II weightage. 

The December 2023 cycle featured approximately 27 questions from Constitutional and Administrative Law alone. That represented 27% of your entire Paper II marks from a single unit. 

Even in leaner cycles like June 2025, with roughly 9 to 12 questions, this unit remained among the top contributors.

The pattern suggests that while exact numbers fluctuate, Constitutional and Administrative Law never drops below significant weightage. 

Your preparation must account for both high weightage and moderate weightage scenarios, ensuring comprehensive coverage of core topics while building depth in frequently tested areas.

Constitutional Law vs Administrative Law: Where to Focus

Within Unit II, Constitutional Law topics dominate both the syllabus and the question papers. Expect roughly 70% of Unit II questions to come from Constitutional Law areas like Fundamental Rights, Emergency Provisions, and distribution of powers. 

The remaining 30% covers Administrative Law, particularly natural justice principles and judicial review.However, Administrative Law questions tend to be more predictable. 

If you know the types of bias, the components of natural justice, and the grounds of judicial review, you can confidently answer most Administrative Law questions. 

Constitutional Law requires broader preparation across multiple topics but offers more opportunities due to higher question frequency.

Constitutional Law: High Priority Topics for Quick Revision

Constitutional Law spans seven major syllabus areas, but not all carry equal examination weight. Focus your limited time on topics that consistently generate questions while maintaining basic familiarity with others. Here is your priority roadmap for Constitutional Law preparation.

Fundamental Rights and Part III Essentials

Fundamental Rights questions appear in virtually every UGC NET cycle. 

Article 32 was tested in June 2025, with the question asking which Article Dr. Ambedkar called the “heart and soul” of the Constitution. Article 14’s arbitrariness test from E.P. Royappa, Article 19’s freedoms and reasonable restrictions, and Article 21’s expanded interpretation through Maneka Gandhi form the core testing areas.

Know the exact Article numbers for key rights. Questions often test whether you can identify which Article provides specific protection. 

The recent Kaushal Kishore v. State of UP (2023 SC) judgment held that Article 19 rights are available against both state and non state actors, expanding horizontal application of fundamental rights. This development may feature in upcoming cycles.

The relationship between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles represents another frequently tested area. The December 2023 comprehension passage directly tested the principle that harmony between Parts III and IV is a basic feature of the Constitution. 

Understanding how courts have balanced these constitutional values helps answer both direct and comprehension based questions.

Emergency Provisions and Their Effects

Emergency Provisions under Part XVIII appear with remarkable consistency. You must know the three types: National Emergency (Article 352), President’s Rule (Article 356), and Financial Emergency (Article 360). 

More importantly, understand the conditions for proclamation, duration, parliamentary approval requirements, and effects on Fundamental Rights.

The June 2025 cycle tested which grounds trigger automatic suspension of Article 19. The answer is war and external aggression only; armed rebellion does not trigger automatic suspension. This distinction, introduced by the 44th Amendment, is frequently examined.

S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994 SC) established crucial limitations on Article 356, holding that the President’s satisfaction is subject to judicial review and that State Assemblies should not be dissolved before parliamentary approval. 

Questions on Article 356 limitations and the Bommai guidelines appear regularly.

Distribution of Powers and Centre State Relations

Schedule VII’s three lists define legislative competence between the Union and the States. 

Know the Union List contains 100 subjects, the State List has 61 subjects, and the Concurrent List covers 52 subjects where both can legislate. Article 254 provides that Union law prevails over State law in Concurrent List matters in case of conflict.

The June 2024 re exam tested circumstances when Parliament can legislate on State List matters. 

These include: Rajya Sabha resolution declaring national interest (Article 249), during National Emergency (Article 250), when two or more States consent (Article 252), and for implementing international treaties (Article 253). Memorize these provisions with their Article numbers.

Questions also test concepts like the pith and substance doctrine and colorable legislation. Understand that courts look at the true nature of legislation, not its form, when determining legislative competence.

Key Constitutional Amendments and Their Impact

Certain amendments receive repeated attention. The 42nd Amendment (1976) inserted “Socialist,” “Secular,” and “Integrity” in the Preamble, a fact tested in June 2025. 

The 44th Amendment (1978) introduced safeguards against emergency misuse, replacing “internal disturbance” with “armed rebellion” and making Articles 20 and 21 non suspendable.

The Basic Structure Doctrine, established in His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala [1973 SC], limits Parliament’s amending power under Article 368. 

Questions test both the doctrine itself and specific cases that developed it. Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India (1980 SC) reaffirmed basic structure; Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975 SC)clarified its limits constituent power, not ordinary legislative power.

Must Know Case Laws for Constitutional Law

Build your case law knowledge around examination patterns rather than exhaustive lists. The following cases appear most frequently and should be memorized with their principles:

His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala [1973 SC] established the Basic Structure Doctrine. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978 SC) expanded Article 21, requiring procedures to be fair, just, and reasonable. 

S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994 SC) limited Article 356 misuse. Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980 SC) reaffirmed the basic structure as limiting amending power. E.P. Royappa v. State of Tamil Nadu (1974 SC) introduced the arbitrariness test for Article 14.

For Fundamental Rights specifically, know A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras (1950 SC) (narrow Article 21 interpretation, later overruled), I.C. Golak Nath & Ors. v State of Punjab & Anr.(1967 SC) (Parliament cannot amend Fundamental Rights, later overruled by Kesavananda), and K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017 SC) (right to privacy as fundamental right under Article 21).

Administrative Law: High Priority Topics for Quick Revision

Administrative Law may seem smaller in scope, but its examination patterns are highly predictable. Master the core concepts, and you can confidently answer most Administrative Law questions. Here is your efficient preparation strategy for this portion.

Principles of Natural Justice: Core Concepts

Natural justice principles form the bedrock of Administrative Law testing. Two fundamental principles dominate: Audi alteram partem (hear the other side) and Nemo judex in causa sua (no one should judge their own cause). Know these Latin maxims and their practical requirements.

Audi alteram partem requires notice of allegations, disclosure of material, opportunity to respond, and a chance to present evidence. However, the right to appeal is NOT a natural justice requirement; it is a statutory right. This distinction is testable.

The rule against bias has four types frequently examined. 

Pecuniary bias involves financial interest, illustrated by Dimes v. Grand Junction Canal, where a judge’s shareholding disqualified him. 

Personal bias involves relationships or prejudice, examined in Mineral Development Ltd. v. State of Bihar (1959 SC). Official or subject matter bias arises when decision makers participate in matters they initiated, as in Gullapalli Nageswara Rao v. A.P. SRTC (1959 SC). Judicial obstinacy involves refusal to consider relevant material, discussed in State of West Bengal v. Shivananda Pathak (1998 SC).

The June 2025 cycle included a matching question requiring candidates to pair these bias types with their respective cases. Memorize these four pairings; they represent high probability marks.

Judicial Review: Grounds and Limitations

Judicial review of administrative action operates through three grounds systematized in the GCHQ case (1985). 

Illegality means the decision maker misunderstood the law governing their power. Irrationality, also called Wednesbury unreasonableness, means the decision was so unreasonable that no reasonable authority could have reached it. Procedural impropriety covers breaches of natural justice and statutory procedures.

Understand that judicial review examines legality, not merits. Courts do not substitute their judgment for administrative wisdom on policy matters; they ensure that administrators operate within legal bounds. The distinction between judicial review and appeal is frequently tested.

Wednesbury unreasonableness deserves special attention. From Associated Provincial Picture Houses v. Wednesbury Corporation (1948), this standard requires that the decision be “so unreasonable that no reasonable authority could ever have come to it.” Mere disagreement or finding the decision against the weight of evidence is insufficient.

The June 2024 re exam asked which feature is NOT part of the French administrative system, with “use of stare decisis in administrative decisions” being correct since France follows civil law tradition without binding precedent.

Must Know Case Laws for Administrative Law

A.K. Kraipak v. Union of India (1970 SC) extended natural justice requirements to administrative functions, not just quasi judicial ones. This landmark case expanded fair procedure obligations across governmental decision making.

Ridge v. Baldwin (1964), though English, revived natural justice principles and established that these requirements apply wherever rights are affected.Gullapalli Nageswara Rao v. A.P. SRTC (1959 SC) established that officials cannot approve proposals they themselves initiated. Dimes v. Grand Junction Canal (1852) illustrated automatic disqualification for pecuniary interest.

For juristic definitions of administrative law, memorize: Wade defines it as law relating to control of governmental power; Garner emphasizes rules recognized by courts as law relating to administration; Griffith and Street focus on operation and control of administrative authorities; Ivor Jennings describes it as law determining organization, powers, and duties of administrative authorities. This exact matching question appeared in June 2025.

Quick Preparation Tips for Working Professionals

If you are balancing UGC NET preparation with work responsibilities, efficiency is everything. The following strategies help maximize your limited study time while ensuring comprehensive Unit II coverage.

Time Efficient Study Strategy for Unit II

Dedicate 2 to 3 focused hours daily rather than sporadic longer sessions. For Unit II specifically, allocate your time as follows: 60% to Constitutional Law high priority topics, 25% to Administrative Law core concepts, and 15% to case law memorization and practice questions.

Start with the highest yield topics. Fundamental Rights, Emergency Provisions, and natural justice principles appear in nearly every cycle. Master these before moving to less frequently tested areas like special provisions for states or detailed legislative procedure.

Create condensed revision notes on weekends covering key Article numbers, case law principle pairings, and frequently tested facts. These notes become invaluable during final week revision when comprehensive reading is impossible.

Use commute time productively. Audio lectures or flashcard apps work well for reinforcing case law associations and Article numbers. The goal is converting otherwise unproductive time into incremental preparation.

Recommended Resources for Focused Preparation

For working professionals with limited time, UGC NET specific guides work better than comprehensive textbooks. “UGC NET Law Guide” by Rukmesh and “The Ultimate Guide to UGC NET (Law)” by Bhavna Sharma cover Unit II efficiently without overwhelming detail.

Previous year questions are your most valuable resource. Platforms like Legal Bites compile unit wise UGC NET previous year questions with answers, allowing you to practice actual examination patterns. Work through these systematically, identifying frequently tested concepts.

Keep a bare act of the Constitution of India for quick Article reference. Many questions test exact Article numbers; familiarity with the constitutional text pays dividends.

Aim for 15 to 20 mock tests before the examination. Focus on analyzing errors rather than just attempting tests. Categorize mistakes as conceptual gaps, careless errors, or time management issues, and address each systematically.

Conclusion

Constitutional and Administrative Law offers one of your best scoring opportunities in UGC NET Law Paper II. The unit’s consistent high weightage, predictable question patterns, and focused scope make it ideal for strategic preparation.

Prioritize Fundamental Rights, Emergency Provisions, and natural justice principles as your non negotiable foundation. 

Build case law knowledge around examination patterns: Kesavananda Bharati, Maneka Gandhi, S.R. Bommai, and A.K. Kraipak form the essential core. Master the matching patterns for bias types and juristic definitions; these questions offer certain marks if prepared.

Your remaining preparation time should balance efficiency with thoroughness. Cover high priority topics deeply; maintain familiarity with others. Practice previous year questions to internalize examination patterns. 

With focused effort on Unit II, you position yourself to capture a significant portion of your Paper II marks from a single, manageable unit.

For comprehensive coverage of Constitutional and Administrative Law with 20 sample questions and detailed preparation strategies, explore LawSikho’s complete guide.

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