Detailed Syllabus Outline
- States of America, France, Russia, China, Pakistan, India and Turkey.
- Constitution.
- Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan v. Federation of Pakistan PLD 1955 Sindh
- Federation of Pakistan vs. Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan.
- Reference by the Governor-General PLD 1955 FC 435
- State v. Dosso PLD 1958 SC
- Usif Patel v. Crown PLD 1955 FC 387
- Begum Nusrat Bhutto v. Chief of the Army Staff PLD 1977 SC 657
- Hakim Khan v. Government of Pakistan PLD 1992 SC 585
- Nawaz Sharif v. President of Pakistan PLD 1993 SC 473
- Benazir Bhutto v. the President of Pakistan PLD 1992 SC 492
- Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, PLD 1988 Lah. 725
- Federation of Pakistan v. Haji Saifullah Khan PLD 1989 SC 166
- Khawaja Ahmad Tariq Rahim PLD 1992 SC 646
- Benazir Bhutto v. President of Pakistan, PLD 1998 SC 388
- Asma Jilani v. Government of the Punjab PLD 1972 SC 139
- State v. Zia ur Rehman PLD 1973 SC 49
- Mahmood Khan Achakzai v. Fed. of Pakistan PLD 1997 SC
- Zafar Ali Shah case, 2000
FPSC Recommended Books
| Book Title | Author |
|---|---|
| Comparative Constitutional Law | Hamid Khan & M.W. Rana |
| Constitution of Pakistan 1973 | Shabbar Raza Rizvi |
| Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution | Dicey |
| Elgar Encyclopedia of Comparative Law | J.M. Smits |
| Constitutional & Political History of Pakistan | Hamid Khan, Advocate |
| Human Rights in Constitutional Law | SR. Bansali |
| Constitutional Documents of Pakistan | Safdar Mahmood |
| The Leading Cases in Constitutional Law | A.G.Chaudhry |
Preparation Strategy for Constitutional Law
Constitutional Law (100 marks) requires precise legal referencing and an analytical understanding of global constitutional frameworks.
1. Comparative Constitutions: Master the distinct features of the British (unwritten), US (written, rigid), French, and Russian constitutions.
2. Pakistan's Constitutional History: Completely memorize the fundamental rights, state structure, and major amendments (like the 18th Amendment) of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan.
3. Use Legal Terminology: Support every argument with specific Article numbers and incredibly significant landmark judicial precedence cases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many marks does Constitutional Law carry in the CSS Exam?
Constitutional Law is a 100-mark subject in the FPSC CSS examination.
2. What are the core topics covered in Constitutional Law?
The syllabus primarily revolves around I. Definition and Scope of constitutional Law, Basic Constitutional Concepts (Constitutional Conventions, Rule of Law, Due Process), Constitutional Structures (Parliamentary, Presidential, Separation of Powers), Judiciary (Independence of Judicial Review, Theories of Constitutional Interpretation) Fundamental Human and Political Rights and Civil Liberties (freedom of speech, association, assembly, movement and Right to Counsel, life, property, religion, privacy, self incrimination, double jeopardy)., II. Principles of Constitutional Law with special reference to United Kingdom, United, III. Constitutional History of Pakistan: Principles of Constitutional Law of Pakistan, Salient feature of the Government of India Act, 1935, Indian Independence Act 1947, Objectives Resolution 1949, Constitutions of 1956, 1962 and 1973 Constitution, Abrogation of the Constitutions and the Martial Laws, Legal Framework Order, 1970, The PCO of 1981, The RCO of 1985, The LFO-2002, Amendments in the 1973 and related topics. Check the detailed syllabus breakdown above for the exact structure.
3. Is Constitutional Law a scoring subject?
Yes, Constitutional Law is generally considered highly scoring if you stick strictly to the official FPSC syllabus, practice past papers, and use strong analytical arguments rather than generic statements.
4. How long does it typically take to prepare for Constitutional Law?
For a 100-mark subject, a strategic preparation plan typically requires 2 to 3 weeks of dedicated, consistent study and note-making.
5. What are the best recommended books for Constitutional Law?
FPSC recommends referring to authentic textbooks and journals. Some key referenced authors include Hamid Khan & M.W. Rana and Shabbar Raza Rizvi. Avoid purely relying on local guidebooks.
6. Do I need a university degree in Constitutional Law to opt for it?
While an academic background provides a massive advantage, it is not strictly mandatory. Many candidates successfully prepare for Constitutional Law from scratch by consulting thoroughly recommended readings.
7. Are past papers important for Constitutional Law preparation?
Absolutely. Analyzing the last 5 to 7 years of CSS past papers for Constitutional Law is critical. It helps identify recurring themes, examiner traps, and high-frequency syllabus blocks.
8. How should I structure my answers in the Constitutional Law subjective paper?
To score highly, structure your subjective answers with clear introductions, relevant headings, bullet points, flowcharts (if applicable), and a balanced, critical conclusion.
9. Does Constitutional Law overlap with Compulsory CSS subjects?
Many concepts in Constitutional Law can build a strong analytical foundation for the English Essay and Current Affairs papers. Always look for cross-disciplinary linkages while studying.
10. Is coaching necessary to pass Constitutional Law?
No, professional coaching is not mandatory. With immense discipline, standard syllabus tracking, and self-evaluation via mock exams, candidates can secure excellent marks on their own.