Title: Constitutional Law for DU LLB Aspirants: A First‑Generation Student’s Take

Why Constitutional Law Feels Like a Roller Coaster

When I first opened the Constitution of India, I felt like a tourist in a museum of words—every paragraph a new exhibit, every article a mystery. The syllabus for DU’s LLB entrance lists the Constitution, the Indian Penal Code, and the Code of Civil Procedure, but the real challenge is the sheer volume of case law that makes the Constitution come alive. I’ve watched my confidence wobble between “I’ve got this” and “What am I even reading?”—classic imposter syndrome. The good news? You don’t have to be a Ph.D. to ace it.

Key Articles and Cases That Stick

Instead of memorising every clause, focus on the ones that keep popping up in exams and discussions:

• Article 14 (Equality before the law) – The Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) case carved out the “basic structure” doctrine, telling us that the Constitution can’t be altered to undermine its core values.
• Article 19 (Freedom of speech and expression) – The Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) expanded the scope of personal liberty, linking it to Article 21 and setting a precedent for proportionality tests.
• Article 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty) – The landmark Mohini Jain v. State of UP (2006) clarified that the right to privacy is integral to Article 21, a concept that’s now central to many contemporary debates.
• Article 32 (Right to constitutional remedies) – The Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) case introduced the “positive discrimination” framework, a topic that often appears in DU entrance mock tests.