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Kinds of Law | ISC Class 11 Political Science

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Political ScienceISC Class 11 · Law

Kinds of Law: Municipal, Constitutional, International, Statute and Ordinance (ISC Class 11 Political Science)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Municipal (national) law is a state's domestic law, public or private; constitutional law is the supreme fundamental law (Article 13 voids inconsistent laws); international law governs relations among states; statute law is an Act of the legislature; ordinances are temporary executive laws under Article 123 (President) or 213 (Governor) that lapse six weeks after the legislature reassembles unless approved.

Understand Kinds of Law: Municipal, Constitutional, International, Statute and Ordinance

Municipal (national) law. The domestic law of a state, operating within its territory and enforced by its courts (not the bye-laws of a town municipality). Public law: between state and individuals (constitutional, administrative, criminal law; the Indian Penal Code, now replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023). Private law: between individuals (contract, property, family; Indian Contract Act, 1872).

Constitutional law. The fundamental law that sets up organs of government, defines and limits their powers and lays down citizens' rights. Supreme: inconsistent ordinary laws are void (Article 13 for fundamental rights). Written (India) or largely unwritten (Britain).

International law. Rules governing relations among sovereign states: treaties, the sea, diplomacy, war. Sources: treaties and conventions, customs among states, decisions of international courts. Examples: the UN Charter (1945), the Geneva Conventions (1949), the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982). With no world sovereign to enforce it, Austin called it positive morality, but states generally follow it and the International Court of Justice settles disputes states submit.

Statute law. Law passed by a legislature as an Act: written, precise, dated. Examples: RTI Act (2005), Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (2009). It can repeal custom and judge-made law but in India must conform to the Constitution.

Ordinances. Temporary laws by the executive when the legislature is not in session and immediate action is needed: the President under Article 123 (Union subjects) and a Governor under Article 213 (state subjects). Same force as an Act; laid before the legislature when it reassembles and ceases to operate six weeks after reassembly unless approved (or earlier if disapproved). Subject to judicial review; repeated re-issue to avoid the legislature has been criticised by the Supreme Court.

Kinds of Law: Municipal, Constitutional, International, Statute and Ordinance: key facts

Municipal law
Public: constitutional, administrative, criminal | Private: contract, property, family
Constitutional law
  • Fundamental law
  • Supreme
  • Article 13
  • Written or unwritten
International law
  • Treaties
  • Customs
  • International courts
  • UN Charter 1945
  • Geneva 1949
  • UNCLOS 1982
Ordinances
  • Article 123: President
  • Article 213: Governor
  • Lapse six weeks after reassembly

How to answer Kinds of Law: Municipal, Constitutional, International, Statute and Ordinance questions

Expect 3 to 4 marks on a kind or a contrast, and 8 marks on two or three kinds.

  1. 1Define each kind with the maker and reach.
  2. 2Give an Indian example.
  3. 3For ordinances give the articles and the six-week rule.
  4. 4Compare statute law and ordinances on maker, duration and review.

Kinds of Law: Municipal, Constitutional, International, Statute and Ordinance in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

When does it lapse?

Suppose a legislature reassembles on 10 March and does not approve an ordinance.

On which date does the ordinance cease to operate, at the latest?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Six weeks = 42 days after 10 March.
  2. 10 March + 42 days = 21 April.

Answer: 21 April at the latest.

Memory hook: Six weeks is 42 days.

A treaty

Suppose two states sign a treaty on fishing in a shared sea.

Which kind of law and which source?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. International law.
  2. Treaties are a source of international law.

Answer: International law from a treaty.

Memory hook: Between states.

Tricks to remember Kinds of Law: Municipal, Constitutional, International, Statute and Ordinance

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • MCI SO

    Municipal, Constitutional, International, Statute, Ordinance.

    Use it when: Five kinds.

  • 123 President, 213 Governor

    Ordinance-making articles.

    Use it when: Ordinances.

Kinds of Law: Municipal, Constitutional, International, Statute and Ordinance: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Article · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The President issues ordinances under Article:
(a) 123
(b) 141
(c) 213
(d) 13

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Union subjects.

Answer: (a) Article 123.

Example 2: Public and private · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Distinguish public law from private law with one Indian example each.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Public law is between the state and individuals; example constitutional or criminal law.
  2. Private law is between individuals; example the Indian Contract Act, 1872.
  3. Both form municipal law.

Answer: Public: state and individual; private: individuals; contract law.

Example 3: International law · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Explain international law, its sources and why Austin called it positive morality.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. It governs relations among sovereign states.
  2. Sources: treaties and conventions, customs among states and decisions of international courts.
  3. Examples: UN Charter, Geneva Conventions, UNCLOS.
  4. No world sovereign enforces it, so Austin called it positive morality.

Answer: Rules among states from treaties and custom, but without a world sovereign to enforce them.

Example 4: Ordinances · 4 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Explain the features of ordinances in India and the safeguards against their misuse.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Made by the President (Article 123) or a Governor (Article 213) when the legislature is not in session.
  2. Same force as an Act.
  3. Must be laid before the legislature and lapse six weeks after reassembly unless approved.
  4. Subject to judicial review; repeated re-issue has been criticised.

Answer: Temporary executive law with the force of an Act, limited by the six-week rule and judicial review.

Example 5: Date case · 5 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Case: An ordinance is issued on 5 February and the legislature reassembles on 1 March; it does not approve. (a) Find the last date on which it operates. (b) Name the article if issued by the President. (c) State the second safeguard.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (a) Six weeks is 42 days: 1 March + 30 days is 31 March, and 12 more days gives 12 April.
  2. (b) Article 123.
  3. (c) Judicial review of the ordinance.

Answer: (a) 12 April (b) Article 123 (c) judicial review.

Where students lose marks in Kinds of Law: Municipal, Constitutional, International, Statute and Ordinance

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Confusing municipal law with local bye-laws

    Meaning misread.

    Do this: Municipal law means the state's domestic law.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Forgetting the six-week rule

    Ordinance lapse omitted.

    Do this: State that it lapses six weeks after reassembly unless approved.

    Usually costs: 2 marks.

  • Mistake: Calling international law enforceable by a world sovereign

    No such authority.

    Do this: Austin called it positive morality; the ICJ settles disputes states submit.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Give a maker and example for each kind.
  • Memorise Articles 123 and 213.
  • Use 42 days in date sums.
  • Mention judicial review.

Practice questions on Kinds of Law: Municipal, Constitutional, International, Statute and Ordinance

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    Which law is called supreme and voids inconsistent laws?
    (a) Statute law
    (b) Constitutional law
    (c) International law
    (d) Ordinances

    Hint

    Article 13.

    Answer

    (b) Constitutional law.

  2. Q2 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    A legislature reassembles on 15 June. Find the latest date an unapproved ordinance lapses.

    Hint

    42 days.

    Answer

    15 June + 42 days: 15 days remain in June (to 30 June), then 27 days in July: 27 July.

  3. Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Distinguish statute law from an ordinance.

    Hint

    Maker and duration.

    Answer

    A statute is passed by the legislature as an Act and is lasting; an ordinance is made by the executive when the legislature is not in session and is temporary.

  4. Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Explain what is meant by municipal law and why the word is used.

    Hint

    Domestic law.

    Answer

    Municipal or national law is a state's domestic law enforced by its courts within its territory; "municipal" does not mean town bye-laws.

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

    Case: A citizen challenges an Act as violating fundamental rights. (a) Name the law above the Act. (b) Name the article that makes the inconsistent Act void. (c) Name one body that can decide.

    Hint

    Supremacy.

    Answer

    (a) Constitutional law. (b) Article 13. (c) The Supreme Court or a High Court.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Ordinance article for Governor?Show answer

    Article 213.

  2. 2.UN Charter year?Show answer

    1945.

  3. 3.Geneva Conventions year?Show answer

    1949.

  4. 4.UNCLOS year?Show answer

    1982.

  5. 5.Contract Act year?Show answer

    1872.

Kinds of Law: Municipal, Constitutional, International, Statute and Ordinance: frequently asked questions

Is an ordinance permanent?

No, it is temporary.

Can an ordinance be challenged?

Yes, by judicial review.

What replaced the IPC?

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.