UGC NET Law Unit 10 focuses on Comparative Public Law and includes important topics such as federalism, judicial review, constitutional amendments, separation of powers, and rule of law. Since many questions are concept-based and case-law oriented, practising previous years' questions (PYQs) can help candidates understand recurring themes and improve exam performance. 

Important Topics Covered in UGC NET Law Unit 10 

The following areas are frequently tested in UGC NET Law Unit 10:

• Comparative Constitutional Law

• Rule of Law

• Separation of Powers

• Federalism

• Judicial Review

• Parliamentary and Presidential Systems

• Constitutional Amendments

• Ombudsman Institutions

• Legitimate Expectations

• Judicial Activism

• Comparative Governance Models

UGC NET Law Unit 10 PYQs with Answers

Unit 10 questions are often asked in statement-based, chronology-based, matching, and case-law formats. Candidates should focus on landmark judgments, constitutional doctrines, and comparative constitutional systems. 

1. Question: What voting threshold is required in the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces to amend certain provisions of the South African Constitution?

Answer: A two-thirds majority in the National Assembly along with support from at least six of the nine provincial delegations in the National Council of Provinces.

Concept: Amendment procedure is provided under Section 74 of the South African Constitution.

2. Question: France is considered an example of which form of government?

Answer: Semi-Presidential (Hybrid) System.

Concept: Executive powers are shared between the President and the Prime Minister.

3. Question: Which constitutional principles were affirmed in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

Answer:

• Doctrine of Implied Powers

• Federal Supremacy over States

Concept: Chief Justice John Marshall strengthened federal authority through this landmark decision. The famous observation was, "The power to tax involves the power to destroy."

4. Question: Who authored the article The Rule of Law as a Law of Rules?

Answer: Antonin Scalia.

Concept: Formal Rule of Law emphasizes clarity, generality, and procedural certainty rather than moral content.

5. Question: What does the Political Question Doctrine imply?

Answer: Courts may decline to adjudicate issues constitutionally assigned to the executive or legislature.

Concept: Frequently associated with Baker v. Carr.

6. Question: Which constitutional provision codifies ministerial responsibility?

Answer: Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution.

Concept: The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

7. Question: Which of the following are characteristics of a presidential form of government?

Answer:

• Fixed tenure of executive

• Separation of powers

• Executive chooses ministers independently

Concept: The United States follows the presidential system of government.

8. Question: Why is Rule of Law considered fundamental in liberal democracy?

Answer:

• Prevents arbitrary governance

• Promotes social justice

• Protects constitutional values

Concept: Rule of Law ensures accountability and constitutional governance.

9. Question: Arrange the following cases chronologically: Plessy v. Ferguson, Hawke v. Smith, Leser v. Garnett, and U.S. v. Sprague.

Answer:

1. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

2. Hawke v. Smith (1920)

3. Leser v. Garnett (1922)

4. U.S. v. Sprague (1931)

Concept: Chronology-based questions are frequently asked in comparative constitutional law.

10. Question: Who stated that the best part of English law is judge-made law?

Answer: A.V. Dicey.

Concept: Dicey's contribution remains significant in the study of Rule of Law.

11. Question: Who is credited with the theory of Separation of Powers?

Answer: Montesquieu.

Concept: In The Spirit of Laws (1748), Montesquieu identified the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary as distinct organs of government.

12. Question: In which country was the Ombudsman institution first developed?

Answer: Sweden.

Concept: The institution was established in 1809 and inspired modern grievance redressal mechanisms.

13. Question: In which year was the United States Ombudsman Association founded?

Answer: 1977.

Concept: The association promotes professional standards for ombudsman services in the United States.

14. Question: Which legislation laid the foundation of federalism in India?

Answer: Government of India Act, 1935.

Concept: It introduced the federal structure and the division of powers among different levels of government.

15. Question: Arrange the following constitutional developments in ascending order: Abolition of Slavery, Black Suffrage, Women's Suffrage, and 18-Year-Old Suffrage.

Answer:

1. 13th Amendment – Abolition of Slavery (1865)

2. 15th Amendment – Black Suffrage (1870)

3. 19th Amendment – Women's Suffrage (1920)

4. 26th Amendment – 18-Year-Old Suffrage (1971)

Concept: Questions on constitutional amendments and chronology are important for Unit 10.

16. Question: What is true regarding Separation of Powers in Canada?

Answer: Canada does not follow a strict separation of powers as seen in presidential systems.

Concept: The Canadian system reflects a parliamentary model with overlapping functions.

17. Question: Which statements regarding the Doctrine of Legitimate Expectations are correct?

Answer:

• It forms part of Judicial Review.

• It developed through Public Law.

• It is linked with Natural Justice and Reasonableness.

Concept: The doctrine protects fairness in administrative decision-making.

18. Question: In which case was Judicial Review first established in the United States?

Answer: Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Concept: The case established the Supreme Court's authority to review the constitutionality of laws.

19. Question: Which legislation corresponds to India's Right to Information Act in the United States?

Answer: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 1966.

Concept: FOIA promotes transparency and access to government information.

20. Question: For what purpose is the Wednesbury Test applied?

Answer: To determine irrationality or unreasonableness in administrative decisions.

Concept: The principle emerged from Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd. v. Wednesbury Corporation.

21. Question: Which constitutional provision requires the Prime Minister to communicate decisions of the Council of Ministers to the President?

Answer: Article 78 of the Indian Constitution.

Concept: Article 78 defines important duties of the Prime Minister.

22. Question: Which factors contributed to Judicial Activism in India?

Answer:

• Denial of justice to disadvantaged groups

• Corruption and maladministration

• Environmental concerns

• Human rights violations

Concept: Judicial activism expanded access to justice and public accountability.

23. Question: What are the three essential elements of Rule of Law according to A.V. Dicey?

Answer:

1. Supremacy of Law

2. Equality Before Law

3. Predominance of Legal Spirit

Concept: These principles continue to influence constitutional governance and judicial interpretation.

24. Question: What are the essential characteristics of American federalism?

Answer:

• Supremacy of Constitution

• Distribution of Powers

• Judicial Review

• Rule of Law

Concept: These features form the foundation of the federal constitutional system in the United States.

Important One-Liner Revision for UGC NET Law Unit 10

Before appearing for the UGC NET Law examination, candidates should revise key constitutional concepts, landmark cases, doctrines, and comparative governance models covered under Unit 10. The following one-liner revision table provides a quick summary of the most important facts frequently tested in previous years' questions.

Preparation Tips for UGC NET Law Unit 10

UGC NET Law Unit 10 covers comparative constitutional systems, constitutional governance, judicial review, federalism, separation of powers, and key constitutional doctrines across different countries. Consistent revision and PYQ practice can significantly improve accuracy in this unit.

• Memorise landmark constitutional cases and years.

• Focus on comparative constitutional provisions.

• Revise federalism, the rule of law, and the separation of powers regularly.

• Prepare constitutional amendment-related questions of the USA and South Africa.

• Learn important constitutional articles and doctrines.

• Practice assertion-reason and statement-based questions extensively.