ISC Class 11 Syllabus 2028 Legal Studies

ISC
INDIAN SCHOOL CERTIFICATE
EXAMINATION

YEAR 2028

LEGAL STUDIES
(881)

Developed by:
Research, Development and Curriculum Division (RDCD)
CISCE

January 2026
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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endeavours, empowering them to contribute towards
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Catering to the needs of the children.
Giving freedom to experiment with new ideas
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the national psyche and be sensitive to national
aspirations.

LEGAL STUDIES (881)

Aims:
1. To understand the evolution of the Indian legal system, including its historical development and influences,
and its current structure.
2. To comprehend the applicability of justice, equity, and good conscience in the context of the Indian legal
framework, especially within the Common Law system.
3. To explore various legal systems such as Common Law, Civil Law, and their distinctions, with a focus on
their relevance to Indian law.
4. To analyse the core principles of the Indian Constitution, including Fundamental Rights, Separation of
Powers, and the structure and functioning of courts.
5. To grasp the concept of precedent in judicial decision-making, understanding its importance in the
interpretation of laws and the functioning of the judiciary.
6. To examine the legislative process in India, including the role of statutory interpretation and the basic
principles underlying it.
7. To understand the practical principles of law, such as Rule of Law, justice principles, and the differentiation
between criminal and civil cases.
8. To gain knowledge of the key concepts of property, contract, and tort law, with a focus on their relevance to
everyday legal matters.
9. To develop an understanding of contract law, including contract formation, terms and conditions, and the
discharge of contracts.
10. To explore the rights and duties of individuals and the various categories of liability, which form the
foundation of legal understanding.
11. To create awareness of the role of legal services authorities, focusing on how they promote access to justice
as per Article 39A of the Constitution.
12. To familiarise with modes of dispute resolution, evaluating their merits, efficacy, and application in different
legal contexts.

CLASS XI
There will be two papers in the subject:
Paper I: Theory - 3 hours…70 marks
Paper II: Project Work - ... 30 marks
PAPER I (THEORY) : 70 MARKS
1. Basic features of the Indian Constitution & the Constitutional Courts
The Constitution of India – Meaning and features; Preamble; Differences between Administrative Law &
Constitution Law.
(i) Constitution-Meaning & Functions
(ii) Salient Features of the Constitution of India

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(a) Modern Constitution
(b) Lengthiest written Constitution
(c) Preamble to the Constitution
(d) Fundamental Rights; Directive Principles of State Policy; Fundamental Duties
(e) Constitutional Provision for Amendment of the Constitution of India
(f) Schedules to the Constitution
(g) Adult Suffrage
(h) Single Citizenship
(i) Independent Judiciary
(j) Emergency Provision
(k) Federal in form Unitary in character
(l) Separation of Power benefits & defects.
(iii) Preamble to the Indian constitution – Importance of the Preamble; Amendability & Justiciability of
Preamble
(iv) Differences between Administrative Law & Constitution Law

2. Law and Jurisprudence
Meaning of the term Law and Jurisprudence, Schools of thought- Natural, Historical, Positivist, Realist and
Sociological; Sources of law.
(i) Understanding the term Law and the province of Jurisprudence- Science of Law;
(ii) Understanding the connotations of Law through different perspectives- Schools of Law: Natural,
Historical, Positivist, Realist and Sociological;
(iii) Main Sources of Law - Customs, Legislation and Precedents;
(iv) Dynamics of the Law bringing changes in Society and the Society forcing Law to change.

3. Law of Civil Procedure and Consumer Protection Act
Jurisdiction & Hierarchy of Civil Courts; Res subjudice and Res judicata; Consumer Protection Act.
(i) Civil Procedural Law
(a) How to choose the proper Court - Territorial, Pecuniary and Subject-matter jurisdictions.
(b) Hierarchy of Civil Courts.
(c) Res subjudice and Res judicata
(ii) Connotations of ‘Consumer’ and his Rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 & 2019. Offences
and Penalties (Sections 89-91)

4. Intellectual Property Laws
Intellectual Property Rights, Global scenario and the importance of Intellectual Property, Legislation -
Connotations of The Copyright Act, 1957, Entitlements under Copyright Act 1957; The Trademarks Act,
1999; Significance of Trademarks, The Patent Act, 1970; Non-patentable Inventions, The Geographical
Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999; International Aspect of the protection of
Geographical Indications.
(i) Intellectual Property Rights – definition, The Agreement on Trade-related aspects of Intellectual Property
Rights (TRIPS)-objectives and features, The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)-
objectives and features.

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(ii) The Copyright Act, 1957- Connotations of Copyright- Idea-Expression Dichotomy; Definition (Sections
13 & 14); Criteria for protection, Authorship and ownership, Duration of Copyright.
(iii) The Trademark Act, 1999 - What is a Trademark? Prerequisites for a Trademark, Importance of
protecting Trademarks, Duration of Trademark.
(iv) The Patents Act, 1970- Definition and Patentable Subject matter (Novelty, Inventive Step, Industrial
Application), Non-patentable Inventions, Duration of Patent rights.
(v) Geographical Indication (GI) of Goods - Understanding from the perspective of International Intellectual
Property Rights regime; The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and protection) Act, 1999;
Definition, Conditions required to obtain GI, Duration, who can apply and who is an Authorised User.

5. Family Law and Marriage under Hindu Law
Understanding Marriage and its Legal Implications; Hindu Law and Legal Framework; Conditions for a Valid
Hindu Marriage Void and Voidable Marriage; Concept of Divorce; Restitution of Conjugal Rights and
Judicial Separation; Maintenance in marriage.
(i) Connotations of marriage;
(ii) Ceremonies and rituals associated with marriage;
(iii) Schools of Hindu Law;
(iv) Application of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955- Who qualifies as a Hindu under section 3;
(v) Essential conditions for a valid Hindu marriage;
(vi) Void Marriage & Voidable Marriage - Meaning and Differences;
(vii) Concept of Restitution of Conjugal Rights and Judicial Separation;
(viii) Concept of Divorce - three main theories: Fault, Irretrievable Breakdown and Mutual Consent;
(ix) Legal provisions for maintenance in husband-wife relationships under Sections 24 and 25 of the Hindu
Marriage Act.

6. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023
Substantive and Procedural/Adjective Law; The most prevalent Criminal Justice Administration.
Systems in the World- Adversarial and Inquisitorial; Evolution of Criminal Justice System of India; Rationale
behind enacting BNSS; Important Procedures under BNSS; Hierarchy of Criminal Courts in India; Cognizable
& Non-cognizable Offences, Bailable & Non-bailable Offences; First Information Report (FIR), Zero FIR,
Complaint; Arrest.
(i) Concept of Crime; Object of Criminal Law;
(ii) Substantive Criminal Law & Criminal Procedural Law- Meaning & differences;
(iii) Main systems of Criminal Justice Administration System - Adversarial system and Inquisitorial system:
their essence and differences;
(iv) Evolution of Criminal Justice System of India – From Ancient to Present;
(v) Rationale behind enacting BNSS;
(vi) Important Procedures under BNSS- Information of a cognizable offence can be sent electronically,
Progress Report to the Victim, Search and Seizure by Police, Report of the Police Officer on completion
of investigation (Chargesheet/Challan) ;
(vii) Hierarchy & Classes of Criminal Courts: from Magistrate’s Court to the Supreme Court;
(viii) Cognizable offence and non-Cognizable offence- Meaning & differences;
(ix) FIR (Section 173) and Complaint (Section 223) – Meaning and to whom it is made; Zero FIR;

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(x) Arrest-How is arrest made (section 43), Entitlements of an Arrested person, Legal aid to accused at
State expense in certain cases [Section 341(1)].

7. Legal Framework for Cybersecurity and Protection in India
Introduction to Cyber Laws and Cybersecurity; Necessity of Cyber Laws; Cyber Safety and Security; Cyber
Crime-Meaning & Categories; Cyber Laws in India; The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000; Emerging
Issues in Cybersecurity.
(i) Importance of cyber laws and security in the digital era;
(ii) Need for regulation in cyber space;
(iii) Meaning of Cyber safety and Security;
(iv) Definition and categories of cyber-crime (Child pornography or child sexually abusive material (CSAM);
(v) Specific types of Cyber Crimes (Meaning only):
Cyberbullying;
Cyberstalking;
Cyber grooming;
Online job fraud;
Online sextortion;
Phishing; Vishing; Smishing;
Credit card fraud or debit card fraud;
Impersonation and identity theft.
(vi) Key provisions and objectives of the IT Act, 2000;
(vii) Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, and future challenges in cybersecurity.

PAPER II (PROJECT WORK) : 30 MARKS
In keeping with the significance of doing project work and gaining a hands-on understanding of various
contemporary issues, candidates are expected to undertake two studies of 15 Marks each.
Topics for the studies should be chosen from within the overall syllabus as there is ample scope for diversity.
Candidates should synthesise information from a range of sources, including cases, legislation, the media and
international instruments, to support a legal argument. Topics should extend areas of individual or group interests
from any chapter covered in Theory, after understanding the legal functions, practices and institutions.
List of suggested studies for Project Work:
1. Make a presentation on ‘Structure of Judiciary in India’. The presentation should contain the following:
(i) Hierarchy of Courts in India
(ii) Establishment of the Supreme Court, High Courts & Subordinate Courts-Jurisdiction
(iii) Concept of Single Bench, Division Bench, full bench and Constitutional bench
2. Would there be a different viewpoint if the ensuing cases were determined today? (Any one to be discussed)
(i) Kesavananda Bharati Case
(ii) Golaknath Case
(iii) AK Gopalan case
(iv) SR Bommai case
3. Using contemporary examples, investigate the legal rights and duties of consumers and the effectiveness of
the law in achieving justice for consumers. To support your research, cite pertinent case studies.
4. Research the following case studies and submit your findings:

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(i) Star India (P) Ltd. V. Piyush Agarwal & Ors, C.S. (O.S.) No. 2722/2012, Del HC
(ii) Super Cassettes Industries Limited V. YouTube & Google
5. Present a comparative analysis on the following:
Generic Medicines Vs. Patented Medicines
6. Make a presentation on Types of Trademarks. Your presentation should contain:
(i) Meaning & importance of Trademarks.
(ii) Types of Trademarks that can be registered in India with illustrations.
(iii) Any five trademarks in which it is impossible to tell the difference between the goods and the trademark.
(iv) Make a logo for a business that does ethical hacking.
7. Write an essay on ‘India- Pakistan tug of war over GI tag for Basmati Rice’.
8. Critically analyse the Theories of Punishment.
Write an essay with relevant case studies on any one from the following topics:
(i) Social Media and Cyber Laws in India,
(ii) E-commerce and Cyber Laws in India,
(iii) Intellectual Property Rights and Cyber Laws in India, and
(iv) Cyber Forensics and its Legal Aspects in India
OR
Write a paper on "The Jurisdictional Issues in Cyberspace-Indian & International Perspective".

GUIDELINES FOR TEACHERS:
1. It must be emphasised that the process of doing the project is as important as the final project.
2. Once the project/projects are chosen, there should be a process of brainstorming to encourage students to
make out a draft/structure for the project before embarking on research.
3. During the brainstorming/discussion, the teacher should discuss the assessment criteria with the students.
4. The teacher should discuss the draft with the student with regard to the central question and the type of sources
to be used.
5. The students should be guided on doing the research and looking at different types of evidence.

6. Books and suitable reference material could be suggested by the teachers and made available to the students.
7. Internet sites could be suggested, but care must be taken in selecting, using and citing these sites.
8. Students must be cautioned against plagiarism and be penalized for the same.
9. Marks must be awarded for content and originality and not for decorative elements and embellishments.
10. Projects must be the original work of the student.

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