UPSC LAW Syllabus and Books for Preparation
Master the complete LAW optional with topic-wise syllabus coverage and topper-recommended booklist for UPSC Mains.
Get the full UPSC Law syllabus for both Paper I & II, along with a curated list of essential books. Simplify your preparation and boost your score with insights from toppers and structured study resources.
📘 Paper I: Constitutional and Administrative Law
Constitutional Law
Constitution and Constitutionalism: 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 High Courts: Appointments and transfer; Powers, functions, and jurisdiction.
Centre, States, and local bodies: Distribution of legislative powers; Administrative relationship; Eminent domain.
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.
Administrative Law
Principles 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.
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 and functions, and reform.
Peaceful settlement of disputes – Different modes.
Lawful recourse to force: Aggression, self-defense, 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, CTBT.
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.
📘 Paper II: Law of Crimes, Law of Torts, and Contemporary Legal Developments
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.
Law of Torts
Nature and definition.
Liability based upon fault and strict liability; Absolute liability.
Vicarious liability including state liability.
General defenses.
Joint tortfeasors.
Remedies.
Negligence.
Defamation.
Nuisance.
Conspiracy.
False imprisonment.
Malicious prosecution.
Consumer Protection Act, 1986.
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.
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.
📚 Topper-Recommended Booklist for Law Optional
To excel in the Law optional subject, consider the following books, widely recommended by successful candidates:
Paper I: Constitutional and Administrative Law
Introduction to the Constitution of India by D.D. Basu
Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
Constitutional Law of India by J.N. Pandey
Administrative Law by I.P. Massey
International Law by S.K. Kapoor
International Law by Malcolm N. Shaw
Paper II: Law of Crimes, Law of Torts, and Contemporary Legal Developments
Indian Penal Code by Ratanlal & Dhirajlal
Law of Torts by R.K. Bangia
Law of Contracts by Avtar Singh
Mercantile Law by R.K. Bangia
Criminal Law by P.S.A. Pillai
Negotiable Instruments Act by Avtar Singh
Consumer Protection Law by Avtar Singh
Additionally, referring to previous years’ question papers, and staying updated with current affairs through newspapers and journals will enhance your preparation.