OAS Law optional

Law as an optional suits candidates with a legal background. Paper I covers constitutional and international law; Paper II covers criminal law, torts and contemporary legal issues.

The syllabus below is reproduced from the Odisha Public Service Commission's own notification. Both papers carry 250 marks and run for three hours.

Paper-I

Section-A

Constitutional Law of India

1. Preamble and nature of Indian Constitution
2. General ideas on the fundamental rights,
3. Right to equality
4. Right to freedom of speech and expression °
5. Right to life and personal liberty.
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies
7. Directive principles of State Policies and Fundamental Duties
8. Constitutional position of the President and relation with the Council of Ministers
9. Governor and his Powers 10.Appointment and Transfer of Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court 11.Supreme Court and High Courts: Powers and Jurisdiction 12.Union Public Service Commission and State Public Service Commissions: Powers and Functions
10. Distribution of Legislative Powers between the Union and the States
11. Administrative Relationship between Union and the States
12. Emergency Provisions,
13. Civil Servants: Constitutional safeguards.
14. Parliamentary Privileges
15. Amendment of the Constitution
16. Principle of Natural Justice
17. Judicial Review of Administrative Actions.

Section-B

International Law

1. Nature and Definition of International Law Relationship between International Law and Municipal Law
2. Individuals, Nationality, Statelessness; Human Rights and procedures available for their enforcement
3. State Recognition and State Succession. 4. Treaties: Formation, application & termination - 5. United Nations: Its principal organs, powers, and functions: ' General Assembly & Security Council
4. Concept of Human Rights Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948
5. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966
6. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966.
7. International Commission on Human Rights
8. New international economic order and monetary law: WTO, TRIPS, GATT, IMF, World Bank.

Paper-II

Section-A

Law of Crimes:-

1. General Principles of Criminal Liability: mens rea and actus reus, Mens. rea in statutory offences
2. Stages of Crime: Preparations and criminal attempts
3. General Exceptions;
4. Joint and constructive liability
5. Abetment
6. Criminal conspiracy
7. Offences against the State
8. Offences against public tranqulity
9. Offences against human body
10. Offences against property
11. Offences against Women
12. Defamation
13. Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Law of Torts:
14. Nature and definition \
15. Liability based upon fault & strict liability
16. Vicarious liability, State Liability
17. General defences
18. Joint tortfeasors
19. Negligence
20. Defamation
21. Nuisance
22. Conspiracy
23. False imprisonment
24. Malicious Prosecution
25. Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

Section-B

Law of Contracts and Mercantile Law

1. Formation of Contract.
2. Factors vitiating consent
3. Void, Voidable, illegal and unenforceable agreements
4. Performance and discharge of contracts
5. Quasi-contracts
6. Consequences of breach of contract
7. Contract of Agency
8. Sale of goods and hire purchase
9. Formation and dissolution of partnership
10. Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 Negotiable Instruments meaning, Promissory Note, Bill of exchange, Cheque, crossing of cheques and Dishonor of cheques.