Suggestions 2025: Proposed Question Paper 3 ~ Environmental Law

 

Calcutta University

8th Semester Examination, 2025

Paper 3 ~ Environmental Law

Full Marks: 80
Time: 3 Hours

Instructions:

• The figures in the margin indicate full marks.
• Candidates are required to give their answers in their own words as far as practicable.
• Answer any five questions.

1. (a) Discuss the salient features of the Rio Declaration, 1992, and its role in promoting global environmental protection. [10]
   (b) Explain the principle of Sustainable Development with reference to its application in India. [6]

2. Examine how the Indian judiciary has expanded the scope of Article 21 to include the right to a healthy environment. Support your answer with relevant case laws. [16]

3. (a) Define “Environment” and “Hazardous Substance” under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. [6]
   (b) Discuss the powers of the Central Government to regulate environmental pollution under this Act. [10]

4. Analyze the significance of the Taj Trapezium case in addressing air pollution in India. How has it influenced environmental jurisprudence? [16]

5. (a) Explain the “Consent Mechanism” under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, as a safeguard against air pollution. [8]
   (b) Discuss the emergency measures available to the State Board to mitigate air pollution under the same Act. [8]

6. Discuss the role of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in advancing environmental protection in India, with reference to at least two landmark judicial decisions. [16]

7. (a) State the composition and qualifications of members of the Central Pollution Control Board under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. [10]
   (b) Write a note on the functions of the Central Board in preventing water pollution. [6]

8. (a) Discuss the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, regarding the declaration and management of sanctuaries. [10]
   (b) Explain the restrictions on entry into a sanctuary under the Act. [6]

9. (a) Explain the “Polluter Pays Principle” with reference to the Oleum Gas Leak case. [10]
   (b) Discuss the evolution of the principle of Absolute Liability in Indian environmental law. [6]

10. Write short notes on any four of the following: [4 × 4]
    (a) Noise Pollution
    (b) Green Bench
    (c) Precautionary Principle
    (d) Public Trust Doctrine
    (e) Kyoto Protocol
    (f) Reserve Forest

Proposed Question Paper 1 ~ Human Rights Law and Practice (2025)

Full Marks - 80 8th Semester 1st Paper

The figures in the margin indicate full marks. Candidates are required to give their answer in their own words as far as practicable.

Answer any five Questions

1. (a) Define "Human Rights" as provided under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. (b) Discuss the origin and development of human rights from a global perspective, culminating in the establishment of the United Nations framework.

2. Critically evaluate the role and functions of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the global promotion and protection of human rights.

3. "The Supreme Court of India has transformed Article 21 of the Constitution from a mere guarantee against arbitrary deprivation of life into a charter for a life with human dignity." Elucidate this statement with the help of landmark judicial decisions.

4. Discuss the powers and functions of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as enumerated in the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. To what extent has the NHRC been effective in fulfilling its mandate? [10+6]

5. (a) Discuss the salient features of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), 1979. (b) Critically examine the implications of India's declaratory statement regarding non-interference in the personal affairs of any community on the objective of achieving gender justice.

6. Compare and contrast the nature of rights and the corresponding state obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), 1966, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), 1966.

7. Explain the key principles that form the foundation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 1989. How are these principles reflected in the legal framework of India?

8. Discuss the relationship between the Fundamental Rights guaranteed under Part III of the Indian Constitution and the human rights embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), 1948.

9. "Protective Discrimination under the Indian Constitution is a vital tool for realizing the human right to substantive equality." Discuss this statement with reference to relevant constitutional provisions and case law.

10. Write short notes on any two of the following: [$8\times 2$] (a) Public Interest Litigation (PIL) as a tool for enforcing human rights. (b) Human Rights Courts. (c) The International Bill of Human Rights. (d) The Right to a healthy environment as a facet of human rights.