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DU LLB Entrance Legal Aptitude and Legal Awareness Syllabus

The Legal Aptitude and Legal Awareness syllabus for DU LLB Entrance in full: 5 chapters, 24 topics and 53 sub-topics, every one listed below, plus 51 Legal Aptitude and Legal Awareness flashcards with answers.

5Chapters
24Topics
53Sub-topics
51Flashcards

Legal Aptitude and Legal Awareness syllabus: all 5 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Indian Constitution and Constitutional Framework

     6 topics
    • Preamble and Nature of the Constitution
      • Keywords: Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic
      • Whether Preamble is part of the Constitution
      • Basic Structure Doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati)
    • Fundamental Rights (Articles 12-35)
      • Right to Equality (Articles 14-18)
      • Right to Freedom (Articles 19-22)
      • Right against Exploitation and Religious Freedom
      • Right to Constitutional Remedies and Writs (Article 32)
    • Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties
      • Articles 36-51 and their classification
      • DPSP vs Fundamental Rights conflict
      • Article 51A Fundamental Duties
    • Union and State Executive, Legislature and Judiciary
      • President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
      • Parliament and State Legislatures
      • Supreme Court and High Courts
    • Emergency Provisions and Amendment Procedure
      • National, State and Financial Emergency
      • Article 368 and types of amendments
    • Landmark Constitutional Cases
      • Maneka Gandhi, Minerva Mills, S.R. Bommai
      • Recent leading judgments

  2. Law of Torts

     5 topics
    • General Principles of Tortious Liability
      • Damnum sine injuria and injuria sine damno
      • Mental elements: malice, intention, motive
    • Specific Torts
      • Negligence and duty of care
      • Nuisance, trespass and defamation
    • Strict and Absolute Liability
      • Rylands v. Fletcher rule and exceptions
      • M.C. Mehta absolute liability principle
    • Vicarious Liability and General Defences
      • Master-servant and principal-agent liability
      • Volenti non fit injuria, act of God, necessity
    • Consumer Protection and Remedies
      • Consumer Protection Act framework
      • Damages and injunctions

  3. Law of Contracts

     5 topics
    • Formation of a Valid Contract
      • Offer, acceptance, consideration
      • Capacity to contract and free consent
    • Void, Voidable and Unenforceable Agreements
      • Coercion, undue influence, fraud, misrepresentation, mistake
      • Unlawful and void agreements
    • Performance and Discharge of Contracts
      • Performance, novation and frustration
      • Doctrine of frustration (Section 56)
    • Breach and Remedies
      • Damages, specific performance, injunction
      • Quantum meruit
    • Special Contracts
      • Indemnity and guarantee
      • Bailment, pledge and agency

  4. Criminal Law and Family Law Basics

     4 topics
    • General Principles of Criminal Liability
      • Actus reus and mens rea
      • Stages of crime and inchoate offences
    • General Exceptions and Defences
      • Private defence, necessity, mistake of fact
      • Insanity, intoxication and consent
    • Key Offences
      • Offences against the human body
      • Offences against property
    • Personal and Family Law
      • Marriage, divorce and maintenance across personal laws
      • Succession and inheritance basics

  5. Legal Maxims, Important Legislations and Current Legal Affairs

     4 topics
    • Common Legal Maxims
      • Audi alteram partem, res ipsa loquitur, ratio decidendi
      • Obiter dicta, ubi jus ibi remedium, ignorantia juris non excusat
    • Important Recent Legislations
      • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and allied new criminal codes
      • Significant socio-legal statutes
    • Landmark Judgments and Legal Current Affairs
      • Recent Supreme Court and High Court rulings
      • Constitutional and rights-based developments
    • Legal Reasoning and Principle Application
      • Applying a given legal principle to facts
      • Assertion-reason and conclusion-based questions

DU LLB Entrance Legal Aptitude and Legal Awareness flashcards — 51 questions with answers

  1. What does the Preamble to the Indian Constitution declare India to be?

    A SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, securing to all citizens Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

  2. Which two words were added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment (1976)?

    'Socialist' and 'Secular' (and 'integrity' to 'unity of the Nation').

  3. Is the Preamble part of the Constitution and can it be amended? (per Kesavananda Bharati)

    Yes, the Preamble is part of the Constitution and can be amended under Article 368, but its basic structure cannot be altered.

  4. Which Article defines 'State' for the purpose of Fundamental Rights, and why does it matter?

    Article 12 defines 'State' (Government, Parliament, Legislatures, local and other authorities) so that Fundamental Rights can be enforced against these bodies.

  5. What does Article 13 declare about laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights?

    Any law inconsistent with or in derogation of Fundamental Rights is void to the extent of the inconsistency.

  6. State the scope of Article 14.

    Equality before the law and equal protection of the laws within India; permits reasonable classification but prohibits class legislation and arbitrariness.

  7. List the six freedoms guaranteed under Article 19(1).

    (a) Speech & expression, (b) Assembly peaceably without arms, (c) Form associations/unions, (d) Move freely throughout India, (e) Reside and settle anywhere in India, (g) Practise any profession or carry on any trade/business.

  8. What protection does Article 20 provide to accused persons?

    Protection against (1) ex-post-facto laws, (2) double jeopardy, and (3) self-incrimination.

  9. What is the expanded meaning of 'life and personal liberty' under Article 21 after Maneka Gandhi?

    Right to life means a life with dignity; any procedure depriving life/liberty must be just, fair and reasonable, not merely a procedure established by law.

  10. Which Article guarantees the right to free and compulsory education and for which age group?

    Article 21A guarantees free and compulsory education to all children aged 6 to 14 years.

  11. What does Article 32 provide, and what did Dr. Ambedkar call it?

    The right to constitutional remedies—moving the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights; Ambedkar called it the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution.

  12. Name the five writs available under Articles 32 and 226.

    Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto.

  13. How do Fundamental Rights differ from Directive Principles in terms of enforceability?

    Fundamental Rights (Part III) are justiciable/enforceable in court; Directive Principles (Part IV) are non-justiciable but fundamental to governance.

  14. In which Part and Article are the Directive Principles of State Policy contained, and which country inspired them?

    Part IV, Articles 36-51; inspired by the Irish Constitution.

  15. Under which Article and Amendment were the Fundamental Duties added, and how many are there now?

    Article 51A, added by the 42nd Amendment (1976) on the Swaran Singh Committee's recommendation; originally 10, now 11 duties.

  16. Who is the executive head of the Union, and who exercises real executive power?

    The President is the nominal/constitutional head; real executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

  17. What is the composition of the two Houses of Parliament and their maximum strengths?

    Lok Sabha (House of the People, max 552) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States, max 250).

  18. How is the President of India elected?

    Indirectly, by an electoral college of elected members of both Houses of Parliament and of State Legislative Assemblies, by proportional representation with a single transferable vote.

  19. What is the difference between the original and appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?

    Original jurisdiction (Art 131) covers disputes between the Centre and States or among States; appellate jurisdiction hears appeals from High Courts in constitutional, civil and criminal matters.

  20. Name the three types of Emergencies under the Indian Constitution with their Articles.

    National Emergency (Art 352), State Emergency/President's Rule (Art 356), and Financial Emergency (Art 360).

Show the other 31 Legal Aptitude and Legal Awareness flashcards

  1. On what grounds can a National Emergency under Article 352 be proclaimed?

    War, external aggression, or armed rebellion (the term 'armed rebellion' replaced 'internal disturbance' by the 44th Amendment).

  2. Describe the three categories of amendment procedure under Article 368.

    (1) By simple majority (outside Art 368), (2) by special majority of Parliament, and (3) by special majority plus ratification by at least half the State Legislatures (federal provisions).

  3. What is the 'Basic Structure Doctrine' and which case established it?

    Parliament can amend any part of the Constitution but cannot alter its 'basic structure'; established in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973).

  4. What was the key holding in Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)?

    Articles 14, 19 and 21 are interlinked; any law affecting personal liberty must be just, fair and reasonable, widening the scope of Article 21.

  5. What principle did A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras establish that was later overruled?

    It held the Fundamental Rights were mutually exclusive and 'procedure established by law' meant any enacted procedure; overruled by Maneka Gandhi (1978).

  6. What was decided in Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975)?

    Free and fair elections and judicial review are part of the basic structure; an amendment validating the PM's election was struck down.

  7. What are the three essential elements of tortious liability?

    (1) A wrongful act or omission, (2) violating a legal right (causing legal damage), and (3) giving rise to a legal remedy in the form of unliquidated damages.

  8. Distinguish 'damnum sine injuria' from 'injuria sine damno'.

    Damnum sine injuria = actual damage without legal injury (no remedy); injuria sine damno = violation of a legal right without actual damage (actionable per se).

  9. Which case illustrates 'injuria sine damno'?

    Ashby v. White—a qualified voter wrongfully prevented from voting could sue even though his candidate won (legal right violated).

  10. Define the tort of defamation and its two types.

    Defamation is publication of a false statement harming a person's reputation; libel (written/permanent form) and slander (spoken/transient form).

  11. What are the essential elements of the tort of negligence?

    (1) Duty of care owed to the plaintiff, (2) breach of that duty, and (3) consequent damage caused by the breach.

  12. State the rule in Rylands v. Fletcher (strict liability).

    A person who brings and keeps on his land anything likely to do mischief if it escapes is strictly liable for damage caused by its escape from a non-natural use of land.

  13. List the recognized exceptions/defences to strict liability under Rylands v. Fletcher.

    Act of God, act of a third party/stranger, plaintiff's own fault, plaintiff's consent (common benefit), and statutory authority.

  14. How does absolute liability (M.C. Mehta) differ from strict liability?

    Absolute liability applies to enterprises in hazardous activities; it admits NO exceptions and requires no escape or non-natural use—liability is absolute.

  15. In which case did the Supreme Court of India formulate the rule of absolute liability?

    M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1987), the Oleum Gas Leak case.

  16. Define vicarious liability and give a common example.

    Liability of one person for the tort of another due to a special relationship; e.g., a master is liable for torts committed by a servant in the course of employment.

  17. Explain the defence of 'volenti non fit injuria'.

    No injury is done to one who consents; a plaintiff who voluntarily and knowingly accepts a risk cannot recover for resulting harm.

  18. Who is a 'consumer' under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and what is excluded?

    A person who buys goods or hires services for consideration, including online transactions; excludes one who obtains goods/services for resale or commercial purpose.

  19. State the pecuniary jurisdiction of the three consumer redressal forums under the 2019 Act.

    District Commission: up to Rs. 50 lakh; State Commission: above Rs. 50 lakh up to Rs. 2 crore; National Commission: above Rs. 2 crore.

  20. List the essential elements of a valid contract under Section 10 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.

    Offer and acceptance, lawful consideration, capacity of parties, free consent, lawful object, intention to create legal relations, and not expressly declared void.

  21. Distinguish a 'void agreement' from a 'voidable contract'.

    A void agreement is not enforceable by law from the outset (Sec 2(g)); a voidable contract is enforceable at the option of the aggrieved party (Sec 2(i)), e.g., consent obtained by coercion/fraud.

  22. What is the difference between coercion and undue influence?

    Coercion (Sec 15) involves committing/threatening a forbidden act or unlawful detention of property; undue influence (Sec 16) is dominating the will of another through a position of trust to gain unfair advantage.

  23. Define 'consideration' and the rule on past consideration in Indian law.

    Consideration is something done/abstained at the promisor's desire (Sec 2(d)); unlike English law, Indian law recognizes past consideration as valid.

  24. What are the main modes of discharge of a contract?

    By performance, by agreement/novation, by impossibility/frustration, by lapse of time, by operation of law, and by breach.

  25. Distinguish anticipatory breach from actual breach.

    Anticipatory breach occurs when a party repudiates before the due date of performance; actual breach occurs at the time performance is due or during performance.

  26. State the rule in Hadley v. Baxendale on remoteness of damages.

    Damages recoverable are those arising naturally from the breach (ordinary course) or those reasonably in the contemplation of both parties at the time of contracting (special circumstances).

  27. Name the principal special contracts dealt with in the Indian Contract Act, 1872.

    Contracts of indemnity and guarantee, bailment and pledge, and agency.

  28. What does the maxim 'actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea' mean in criminal law?

    An act does not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty—crime requires both a guilty act (actus reus) and a guilty mind (mens rea).

  29. Name three general exceptions/defences under Chapter IV of the IPC / BNS.

    Mistake of fact, infancy (doli incapax), insanity/unsoundness of mind, intoxication, consent, private defence, and necessity (any three).

  30. Distinguish culpable homicide from murder under criminal law.

    Culpable homicide is causing death with intention/knowledge; murder is culpable homicide with a higher degree of intention/knowledge falling within specified clauses—every murder is culpable homicide but not vice versa.

  31. Explain the legal maxim 'res ipsa loquitur'.

    'The thing speaks for itself'—in negligence, the mere occurrence of an accident raises an inference of negligence, shifting the burden to the defendant to disprove it.

DU LLB Entrance Legal Aptitude and Legal Awareness FAQ

What is in the DU LLB Entrance Legal Aptitude and Legal Awareness syllabus?

DU LLB Entrance Legal Aptitude and Legal Awareness is split into 5 chapters: Indian Constitution and Constitutional Framework, Law of Torts, Law of Contracts, Criminal Law and Family Law Basics and Legal Maxims, Important Legislations and Current Legal Affairs. Together they contain 24 topics and 53 sub-topics.

How many chapters are in DU LLB Entrance Legal Aptitude and Legal Awareness?

5 chapters, containing 24 topics and 53 sub-topics. The largest chapter is Indian Constitution and Constitutional Framework, with 6 topics.

Are there flashcards for DU LLB Entrance Legal Aptitude and Legal Awareness?

Yes — a 51-card Legal Aptitude and Legal Awareness deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.