Indian Public Law Study Guide

Administrative Law

Learn how public authorities receive power, make decisions and remain answerable to law. Each guide turns doctrine into a practical method built around authority, procedure, purpose and remedy.

Core modules
4
Topics mapped
23
Detailed guides
23
Leading cases
28

Use one method for every problem

Power, procedure, purpose and remedy

PowerProcedureReview
Begin the guide

Core module

Foundations of Administrative Law

  1. 01Meaning, Nature, Scope and Development of Administrative LawAdministrative power, modern welfare government, sources, functions and the growth of legal controls.Read guide
  2. 02Constitutional Law and Administrative LawHow constitutional authority, rights and judicial review govern everyday administrative action.Read guide
  3. 03Classification of Administrative ActionLegislative, executive, quasi-judicial, judicial and ministerial functions with their legal consequences.Read guide
  4. 04Rule of Law in Administrative LawLegality, non-arbitrariness, guided discretion, equality, reasons and access to independent review.Read guide
  5. 05Separation of Powers in Administrative LawFunctional separation, institutional checks, overlapping powers and limits on judicial intervention.Read guide

Core module

Delegated Legislation

  1. 01Delegated Legislation: Meaning, Need and TypesParent Acts, reasons for delegation, common instruments, sub-delegation and conditional legislation.Read guide
  2. 02Constitutionality and Limits of Delegated LegislationEssential legislative functions, policy, guidance, excessive delegation and modification powers.Read guide
  3. 03Parliamentary Control of Delegated LegislationEnabling provisions, ministerial accountability, laying procedures and scrutiny committees.Read guide
  4. 04Judicial Control of Delegated LegislationConstitutional review, substantive and procedural ultra vires, arbitrariness and remedies.Read guide
  5. 05Procedural Control of Delegated LegislationPrior publication, consultation, Gazette publication, laying and consequences of non-compliance.Read guide

Core module

Administrative Adjudication and Natural Justice

  1. 01Administrative Adjudication: Meaning, Need and ProblemsDevolution of adjudicatory authority, expertise, speed, institutional risks and legal safeguards.Read guide
  2. 02Administrative Tribunals: Constitution, Powers and ProcedureConstitutional basis, statutory jurisdiction, independence, procedure, evidence and judicial review.Read guide
  3. 03Principles of Natural JusticeBias, fair hearing, reasoned decisions, civil consequences, flexible application and prejudice.Read guide
  4. 04Rule against BiasObjective test, types of bias, material participation, waiver and the doctrine of necessity.Read guide
  5. 05Audi Alteram Partem and Fair HearingNotice, disclosure, response, evidence, representation, urgency and post-decisional hearing.Read guide
  6. 06Speaking Orders and Reasoned DecisionsPurpose, content and adequacy of reasons, statutory exceptions and judicial remedies.Read guide

Core module

Administrative Discretion and Judicial Review

  1. 01Administrative Discretion: Meaning and LimitsStructured choice, statutory purpose, relevant considerations, equality, fairness and rationality.Read guide
  2. 02Judicial Review of Administrative ActionConstitutional basis, scope, review grounds, institutional restraint and public-law remedies.Read guide
  3. 03Abuse and Failure to Exercise DiscretionImproper purpose, irrelevant factors, mala fides, dictation, rigid policy, abdication and delay.Read guide
  4. 04Illegality, Irrationality and Procedural ImproprietyClassic review grounds, Wednesbury unreasonableness, proportionality and remedial restraint.Read guide
  5. 05Legitimate Expectation and Promissory EstoppelPolicy and practice, clear promises, reliance, fair departure, legality and public interest.Read guide
  6. 06Ombudsman: Meaning and DevelopmentSwedish origin, maladministration, independence, complaint inquiries, recommendations and limits.Read guide
  7. 07Lokpal, Lokayuktas and Anti-Corruption BodiesLokpal, State Lokayuktas, CVC and CBI through their separate statutes, roles and safeguards.Read guide

Case law index

Leading authorities in this guide

Cases are attached to the precise public-law rule they establish and its exam use.

  1. Rai Sahib Ram Jawaya Kapur v. State of Punjab AIR 1955 SC 549
  2. A.K. Kraipak v. Union of India (1969) 2 SCC 262
  3. L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of India (1997) 3 SCC 261
  4. Indian National Congress (I) v. Institute of Social Welfare (2002) 5 SCC 685
  5. S.G. Jaisinghani v. Union of India AIR 1967 SC 1427
  6. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) 1 SCC 248
  7. Asif Hameed v. State of Jammu and Kashmir 1989 Supp (2) SCC 364
  8. In re Delhi Laws Act, 1912 AIR 1951 SC 332
  9. Lachmi Narain v. Union of India (1976) 2 SCC 953
  10. Atlas Cycle Industries Ltd. v. State of Haryana (1979) 2 SCC 196
  11. State of Tamil Nadu v. P. Krishnamurthy (2006) 4 SCC 517
  12. Ashok Kumar Yadav v. State of Haryana (1985) 4 SCC 417
  13. Canara Bank v. V.K. Awasthy (2005) 6 SCC 321
  14. Swadeshi Cotton Mills v. Union of India (1981) 1 SCC 664
  15. Hira Nath Mishra v. Principal, Rajendra Medical College (1973) 1 SCC 805
  16. Madras Bar Association v. Union of India (2021) 7 SCC 369
  17. S.N. Mukherjee v. Union of India (1990) 4 SCC 594
  18. Kranti Associates v. Masood Ahmed Khan (2010) 9 SCC 496
  19. Tata Cellular v. Union of India (1994) 6 SCC 651
  20. Barium Chemicals Ltd. v. Company Law Board AIR 1967 SC 295
  21. Commissioner of Police v. Gordhandas Bhanji AIR 1952 SC 16
  22. Purtabpore Co. Ltd. v. Cane Commissioner of Bihar (1969) 1 SCC 308
  23. Om Kumar v. Union of India (2001) 2 SCC 386
  24. Navjyoti Co-operative Group Housing Society v. Union of India (1992) 4 SCC 477
  25. Motilal Padampat Sugar Mills v. State of Uttar Pradesh (1979) 2 SCC 409
  26. Vineet Narain v. Union of India (1998) 1 SCC 226
  27. Centre for Public Interest Litigation v. Union of India (2011) 4 SCC 1
  28. Common Cause v. Union of India (2019) 3 SCC 1
Coverage

The subject map follows the complete syllabus sequence while publishing only finished, source-checked guides in search and the notes sitemap.