UPSC Law Optional Syllabus 2025

Explore the foundational principles and unique characteristics of the Indian Constitution.

Delve into the core Fundamental Rights, the role of PIL, and mechanisms for legal aid and services.

Understand the intricate balance and interplay between rights, principles, and duties.

Analyze the powers and functions of the President and their relationship with the executive.

Examine the role and powers of the Governor in the state administrative machinery.

• Appointments and transfers
• Powers, functions and jurisdiction

• Distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States.
• Local Bodies
• Administrative relationship among Union, State and Local Bodies.
• Eminent domain-State property-common property-community property

Study the scope of legislative powers and the protections afforded to legislators.

• 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.

Understand the constitutional framework for declaration and implications of emergencies.

Examine the procedures and scope for amending the Constitution.

Study the core principles of fairness in administrative actions and their judicial interpretation.

Analyze the concept, limits, and constitutional validity of delegated legislation.

Explore the doctrine of separation of powers and its role in ensuring constitutional governance.

Understand the power of the judiciary to review administrative decisions and actions.

Examine the role and effectiveness of anti-corruption bodies like Lokpal and Lokayukta.

Understand the fundamental concepts, sources, and characteristics of international law.

Explore theories like monism and dualism, and how international law is incorporated into domestic legal systems.

Study the principles governing the recognition of new states and the legal consequences of changes in state sovereignty.

Delve into the international legal regime governing maritime zones and resources, primarily UNCLOS.

Examine the status of individuals in international law, including issues of nationality, statelessness, and the international human rights framework.

Understand the principles of state jurisdiction over territory and individuals, and the legal frameworks for extradition and asylum.

Study the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and the lifecycle of international agreements.

Analyze the structure, functioning, and ongoing reform discussions related to the United Nations.

Explore diplomatic and adjudicative methods for resolving international disputes peacefully.

Examine the UN Charter provisions and customary international law on the use of force by states.

Study the laws of armed conflict (Geneva Conventions, etc.) and their application in modern warfare.

Note: CTST seems to be a typo for CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty). Analyze the international legal framework concerning nuclear weapons.

Explore legal responses to international terrorism and the role of the ICC in prosecuting international crimes.

Understand the legal architecture of international economic relations and key institutions.

Study major international environmental treaties and principles.

Understand the core elements of criminal liability and their application.

Explore theories of punishment, types of penalties, and the debate on capital punishment.

Differentiate between preparation and attempt, and their legal implications.

Study various defences available under criminal law that negate liability.

Understand how liability is attributed when multiple individuals are involved in a crime.

Study the concept of instigating or aiding the commission of an offense.

Understand the agreement between two or more persons to commit an illegal act.

Examine crimes that threaten the security and integrity of the state.

Study offenses like rioting, affray that disturb public order.

Covering culpable homicide, murder, assault, kidnapping, etc.

Including theft, extortion, robbery, dacoity, cheating, mischief, trespass.

Specific crimes targeting women, such as rape, molestation, dowry death, cruelty.

Understand the criminal aspects of damaging someone's reputation.

Study the key provisions of this act aimed at combating corruption in public life.

Focus on laws preventing discrimination and protecting civil rights.

Understand the concept and procedure of plea bargaining in the Indian criminal justice system.

Understand the foundational principles of tortious liability.

Differentiate between fault-based, strict, and absolute liability regimes.

Study liability for the acts of others, including the liability of the state.

Explore common defences available in tort law, such as volenti non fit injuria, contributory negligence.

Understand liability when multiple parties contribute to a tort.

Explore various remedies available, such as damages and injunctions.

Study the elements of negligence: duty, breach, causation, and damage.

Understand libel and slander, and defences to defamation claims.

Differentiate between public and private nuisance and their remedies.

Understand the tort of conspiracy to injure.

Study the unlawful restraint of a person's liberty.

Understand the tort of initiating legal proceedings without reasonable cause and with malice.

Study the rights of consumers and mechanisms for redressal under this (now replaced by CPA 2019, but syllabus might refer to older principles).

Understand essentials of a valid contract, offer, acceptance, consideration, including electronic contracts.

Study coercion, undue influence, fraud, misrepresentation, and mistake.

Differentiate between various types of agreements based on their legal validity.

Explore how contractual obligations are fulfilled and terminated.

Understand obligations resembling those created by contract, based on principles of equity.

Study remedies for breach, including damages, specific performance, and injunction.

Understand these special types of contracts and their specific provisions.

Study the relationship between principal and agent, and their rights and duties.

Understand the legal framework governing the sale of movable property and hire purchase agreements.

Study the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, including rights, duties of partners, and dissolution of firms.

Focus on promissory notes, bills of exchange, and cheques.

Understand the mechanisms for alternative dispute resolution.

Analyze issues related to adhesion contracts and protection against unfair terms.

Understand its evolution, scope, and impact on Indian jurisprudence.

Explore patents, copyrights, trademarks, designs, and their legal framework and future trends.

Study the Information Technology Act, 2000, cybercrimes, data protection, and emerging issues.

Understand the Competition Act, 2002, focusing on anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance, and regulation of combinations.

Beyond arbitration, explore mediation, conciliation, and Lok Adalats.

Key environmental legislations like the Environment (Protection) Act, Air Act, Water Act, etc.

Study the provisions, impact, and challenges of the RTI Act, 2005.

Analyze the conflict between freedom of the press, fair trial, and privacy rights.