Comprehension
The environmental rule of law, at a certain level, is a facet of the concept of the rule of law. But it includes specific features that are unique to environmental governance, features which are sui generis. The environmental rule of law seeks to create essential tools such as conceptual, procedural and institutional, to bring structure to the discourse on environmental protection. It does so to enhance our understanding of environmental challenges of how they have been shaped by humanity’s interface with nature in the past, how they continue to be affected by its engagement with nature in the present and the prospects for the future, if we were not to radically alter the course of destruction which humanity’s actions have charted.
The environmental rule of law seeks to facilitate a multi-disciplinary analysis of the nature and consequences of carbon footprints and in doing so it brings a shared understanding between science, regulatory decisions and policy perspectives in the field of environmental protection. It recognises that the “law” element in the environmental rule of law does not make the concept peculiarly the preserve of Lawyers and Judges. On the contrary, it seeks to draw within the fold all stakeholders in formulating strategies to deal with current challenges posed by environmental degradation, climate change and the destruction of habitats. The environmental rule of law seeks a unified understanding of these concepts. There are significant linkages between concepts such as sustainable development, the polluter pays principle etc. The universe of nature is indivisible and integrated. The state of the environment in one part of the earth affects and is fundamentally affected by what occurs in another part. Every element of the environment shares a symbiotic relationship with the others. It is this inseparable bond and connect which the environmental rule of law seeks to explore and understand in order to find solutions to the pressing problems which threaten the existence of humanity. The environmental rule of law is founded on the need to understand the consequences of our actions going beyond local, State and national boundaries. The rise in the oceans threatens not just maritime communities. The rise in temperatures, dilution of glaciers and growing desertification have consequences which go beyond the communities and creatures whose habitats are threatened. They affect the future survival of the entire eco-system. The environmental rule of law attempts to weave an understanding of the connections in the natural environment which make the issue of survival a unified challenge which confronts human societies everywhere.
(Extract from Pragnesh Shah v. Arunkumar Sharma (2022) 11 SCC 493 )
The environmental rule of law seeks to facilitate a multi-disciplinary analysis of the nature and consequences of carbon footprints and in doing so it brings a shared understanding between science, regulatory decisions and policy perspectives in the field of environmental protection. It recognises that the “law” element in the environmental rule of law does not make the concept peculiarly the preserve of Lawyers and Judges. On the contrary, it seeks to draw within the fold all stakeholders in formulating strategies to deal with current challenges posed by environmental degradation, climate change and the destruction of habitats. The environmental rule of law seeks a unified understanding of these concepts. There are significant linkages between concepts such as sustainable development, the polluter pays principle etc. The universe of nature is indivisible and integrated. The state of the environment in one part of the earth affects and is fundamentally affected by what occurs in another part. Every element of the environment shares a symbiotic relationship with the others. It is this inseparable bond and connect which the environmental rule of law seeks to explore and understand in order to find solutions to the pressing problems which threaten the existence of humanity. The environmental rule of law is founded on the need to understand the consequences of our actions going beyond local, State and national boundaries. The rise in the oceans threatens not just maritime communities. The rise in temperatures, dilution of glaciers and growing desertification have consequences which go beyond the communities and creatures whose habitats are threatened. They affect the future survival of the entire eco-system. The environmental rule of law attempts to weave an understanding of the connections in the natural environment which make the issue of survival a unified challenge which confronts human societies everywhere.
(Extract from Pragnesh Shah v. Arunkumar Sharma (2022) 11 SCC 493 )
Question: 1
What distinguishes the environmental rule of law from the broader concept of the rule of law?
What distinguishes the environmental rule of law from the broader concept of the rule of law?
Updated On: Sep 10, 2025
- Its exclusive focus on legal principles
- Its emphasis on environmental governance
- Its reliance on judicial decisions
- Its alignment with international treaties
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The environmental rule of law is distinguished from the broader concept of the rule of law primarily by its emphasis on environmental governance. While the rule of law in general pertains to the adherence to laws, their process, and upholding justice, the environmental rule of law incorporates unique features specific to environmental governance. It serves to create an integrated framework consisting of conceptual, procedural, and institutional tools to address environmental protection.
This specialized version of the rule of law acknowledges the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach for the analysis of environmental issues, such as carbon footprints, and promotes a shared understanding between scientific, regulatory, and policy perspectives. It goes beyond jurisdictional confines to address global challenges like environmental degradation, climate change, and habitat destruction, promoting sustainable development and principles such as the polluter pays principle.
Moreover, the environmental rule of law seeks to involve all stakeholders, not just legal professionals, in formulating strategies for contemporary ecological challenges. It recognizes the interconnectedness of nature, where environmental conditions in one region impact others globally. It aims to understand these connections to devise solutions critical for human survival.
Ultimately, this nuanced emphasis on environmental governance differentiates the environmental rule of law by fostering an integrated approach to addressing and understanding the global environmental challenges that transcend local, state, and national boundaries.
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Question: 2
What is the primary objective of the environmental rule of law?
What is the primary objective of the environmental rule of law?
Updated On: Sep 10, 2025
- To protect wildlife habitats
- To enhance understanding of environmental challenges
- To promote economic development
- To enforce local environmental regulations
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The primary objective of the environmental rule of law is to enhance understanding of environmental challenges. This is articulated through its conceptual, procedural, and institutional tools that structure discussions around environmental protection. Here are the key points:
- The environmental rule of law is a specialized facet within the broader context of the rule of law, aiming to address unique environmental governance aspects.
- It enhances understanding of environmental challenges by examining the impacts of humanity's interactions with nature historically, currently, and in the future.
- The rule of law in this context facilitates interdisciplinary analysis, bridging science, regulatory actions, and policy perspectives.
- It encompasses stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to formulate strategies against challenges like environmental degradation and climate change.
- Recognizing the interconnectedness of the environment, it explores the nature and consequences of activities impacting the global ecosystem, promoting a universal understanding necessary for sustainable solutions.
Additionally, it goes beyond local jurisdictions, addressing global environmental impacts and the intricate symbiotic relationships that exist within ecosystems, emphasizing the need to comprehend these connections for the sustainable future of humanity and the planet.
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Question: 3
Environmental Protection and Improvement were incorporated into the Constitution of India by inserting Articles 48-A and 51-A (g) by virtue of which of the following amendments?
Environmental Protection and Improvement were incorporated into the Constitution of India by inserting Articles 48-A and 51-A (g) by virtue of which of the following amendments?
Updated On: Sep 10, 2025
- 42nd Amendment Act, 1976
- 44th Amendment Act, 1978
- 45th Amendment Act, 1980
- 35th Amendment Act, 1974
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
The Constitution of India originally did not have specific provisions related to the environment. However, with growing awareness about environmental issues, the need to address and incorporate environmental protection into the Constitution was recognized. The amendments that introduced specific provisions for environmental protection are:
- Article 48-A, which directs the State to endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country, was inserted into the Directive Principles of State Policy.
- Article 51-A (g) enjoins a fundamental duty upon every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
Both of these articles were incorporated by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976. This amendment is significant because it marked the formal recognition of environmental issues in the framework of legal governance in India, and laid down the foundation for a structured approach to environmental protection and improvement.
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Question: 4
In which international forum did the ‘Environmental rule of Law’ find recognition for the first time?
In which international forum did the ‘Environmental rule of Law’ find recognition for the first time?
Updated On: Sep 10, 2025
- Stockholm Conference on Human Environment, 1970
- Stockholm Declaration on Environment, 1992
- Rio Declaration on Environment, Sustainable Development, 2002
- UNEP’s Governing Council Decision 279, 2013
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The concept of the 'Environmental rule of Law' found its first major recognition in the international arena through the UNEP’s Governing Council Decision 279, 2013. This forum highlighted the unique characteristics of environmental governance, emphasizing the creation of conceptual, procedural, and institutional tools to address environmental challenges. The environmental rule of law provides a framework that spans beyond legal boundaries, incorporating insights from science, policymaking, and regulatory domains. It stresses the integrated and indivisible nature of environmental elements, asserting that the state of the environment in one area affects the entirety of the planet. Thus, its recognition in UNEP’s Governing Council Decision not only legitimized its importance but also highlighted the need for a cross-disciplinary approach to tackle environmental issues including climate change, habitat destruction, and more, considering the impact of human actions across local, state, and national boundaries.
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Question: 5
What does the environmental rule of law seek to achieve beyond local and national boundaries?
What does the environmental rule of law seek to achieve beyond local and national boundaries?
Updated On: Sep 10, 2025
- Economic growth
- Environmental justice
- Political stability
- Cultural preservation
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The environmental rule of law seeks to achieve environmental justice beyond local and national boundaries. Environmental justice is concerned with the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, ensuring that no particular group of people, particularly marginalized communities, bears a disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences. The rule of law in environmental contexts facilitates understanding and addressing complex environmental issues through a multidisciplinary approach, integrating science, law, and policy. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the global impact of local environmental degradation, such as climate change, habitat destruction, and pollution. It aims to foster sustainable development and the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in mitigating environmental challenges, ultimately seeking a just and sustainable future for all.
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Top Questions on Environmental Law
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- The Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of ‘Nil Ratan Kundu and another v. Abhijit Kundu’ 2008(3) Apex Court Judgements 232 (SC), while granting the custody to the maternal grandparents observed: In our judgement, the law relating to custody of a child is fairly well settled and it is this. In deciding a difficult and complex question as to custody of minor, a Court of law should keep in mind relevant statutes and the rights flowing therefrom. But such cases cannot be decided solely by interpreting legal provisions. It is a humane problem in live in relationship and is required to be solved with human touch. A Court while dealing with custody cases, is neither bound by statutes nor by strict rules of evidence or procedure nor by precedents. In selecting proper guardian of a minor, the paramount consideration should be the welfare and well-being of the child. In selecting a guardian, the Court is exercising parens patriae jurisdiction and is expected, may bound, to give due weight to a child’s ordinary comfort, contentment, health, education, intellectual development and favorable surroundings. But over and above physical comforts, moral and ethical values cannot be ignored. They are equally, or we may say, even more important, essential and indispensable consideration. If the minor is old enough to form an intelligent preference or judgement, the Court must consider such preference as well, though the final decision should rest with the Court as to what is conducive to the welfare of the minor.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of ‘Gaurav Nagpal v. Semedha Nagpal’-(2009)1 SCC 42, while giving paramount importance to the welfare of the child, which should include moral and ethical values, besides ethical well-being, observed as under:
When the court is confronted with conflicting demands made by the parents, each time it has to justify the demands. The Court has not only to look at the issue on legalistic basis, in such matters human angles are relevant for deciding those issues. The Court then does not give emphasis on what the parties say, it has to exercise a jurisdiction which is aimed at the welfare of the minor. As observed recently in Mausami Moitra Ganguli case, the Court has to give due weightage to the child’s ordinary contentment, health, education, intellectual development and favorable surroundings, but over and above physical comforts, the moral and ethical values have also to be noted. They are equal if not more important than the others.
(Extracts from Jaswinder Singh and Another vs Surjit Singh, AIR 2010 (NOC) 425 (P. & H.))- CLAT PG - 2025
- Family Laws
- The Companies Act, 2013 does not deal with insolvency and bankruptcy when the companies are unable to pay their debts or the aspects relating to the revival and rehabilitation of the companies and their winding up if revival and rehabilitation is not possible. In principle, it cannot be doubted that the cases of revival or winding up of the company on the ground of insolvency and inability to pay debts are different from cases where companies are wound up under Section 271 of the Companies Act, 2013. The two situations are not identical. Under Section 271 of the Companies Act, 2013, even a running and financially sound company can also be wound up for the reasons in clauses (a) to (e). The reasons and grounds for winding up under Section 271 of the Companies Act, 2013 are vastly different from the reasons and grounds for the revival and rehabilitation scheme as envisaged under the IBC. The two enactments deal with two distinct situations and in our opinion, they cannot be equated when we examine whether there is discrimination or violation of Article 14 of the Constitution of India. For the revival and rehabilitation of the companies, certain sacrifices are required from all quarters, including the workmen. In case of insolvent companies, for the sake of survival and regeneration, everyone, including the secured creditors and the Central and State Government, are required to make sacrifices. The workmen also have a stake and benefit from the revival of the company, and therefore unless it is found that the sacrifices envisaged for the workmen, which certainly form a separate class, are onerous and burdensome so as to be manifestly unjust and arbitrary, we will not set aside the legislation,solely on the ground that some or marginal sacrifice is to be made by the workers. We would also reject the argument that to find out whether there was a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution of India or whether the right to life under Article 21 Constitution of India was infringed, we must word by word examine the waterfall mechanism envisaged under the Companies Act, 2013, where the company is wound up in terms of grounds (a) to (e) of Section 271 of the Companies Act, 2013; and the rights of the workmen when the insolvent company is sought to be revived, rehabilitated or wound up under the Code. The grounds and situations in the context of the objective and purpose of the two enactments are entirely different.
(Extracted, with edits and revision, from the judgement in Moser Baer Karamchari Union Thr. President Mahesh Chand Sharma v. Union of India and Ors, 2023 SCC Online SC 547)- CLAT PG - 2025
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- Ahmadi, J. (as he then was) speaking for himself and Punchhi, J., endorsed the recommendations in the following words-The time is ripe for taking stock of the working of the various Tribunals set up in the country after the insertion of Articles 323-A and 323-B in the Constitution. After the incorporation of these two articles, Acts have been enacted where-under tribunals have been constituted for dispensation of justice. Sufficient time has passed, and experience gained in these last few years for taking stock of the situation with a view to finding out if they have served the purpose and objectives for which they were constituted. Complaints have been heard in regard to the functioning of other tribunals as well and it is time that a body like the Law Commission of India has a comprehensive look-in with a view to suggesting measures for their improved functioning. That body can also suggest changes in the different statutes and evolve a model on the basis whereof tribunals may be constituted or reconstituted with a view to ensuring greater independence. An intensive and extensive study needs to be undertaken by the Law Commission in regard to the Constitution of tribunals under various statutes with a view to ensuring their independence so that the public confidence in such tribunals may increase and the quality of their performance may improve.
Before parting with the case, it is necessary to express our anguish over the ineffectiveness of the alternative mechanism devised for judicial review. The judicial review and remedy are the fundamental rights of the citizens. The dispensation of justice by the tribunal is much to be desired.
(Extracted with Edits from R.K. Jain v. Union of India, 1993 (4) SCC 119)- CLAT PG - 2025
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- The elements of tort of negligence consist in – (a) duty of care; (b) duty is owed to the plaintiff; (c) the duty has been carelessly breached. Negligence does not entail liability unless the exacts a duty in the given circumstances to observe care. Duty is an obligation recognised by law to avoid conduct fraught with unreasonable risk of damage to others. The question whether duty exists in a particular situation involves determination of law. Hence, three ingredients are necessary for the existence of a duty of care: (i) foreseeability of the damage, (ii) proximity of relationship between the parties; and (iii) whether it is “just, fair and reasonable” that the law should impose a duty of care. In Caparo Industries Plc. v. Dickman, 1990 2AC 605, the court held that breach of duty is concerned with the standard of care that ought to have been adopted in the circumstances and whether the defendant’s conduct fell below that standard i.e., whether he was careless.
The court while quoting Rajkot Municipal Corporation v. Manjulben Jayantilal Nakum, 1997 stated that as a tort, negligence consists of legal duty to take care and breach of that duty. Duty determines whether the type of loss suffered by the plaintiff in the particular way in which to occurred can ever be actionable. The division of negligence into duty, breach and consequent damage is convenient for the purpose of exposition but it can be confusing because the issues will often overlap. The process of determining a breach of duty involves three steps: First, it is necessary to ascertain the qualities of the reasonable person, given the qualities attributed to him, would have taken in the circumstances. The factors that are permissible to take into account in this regard are prescribed by law, but the amount of care that the reasonable person would have taken is a question of fact. Thirdly, it must be determined whether the defendant took less care than the reasonable person would have taken.
(Extracts from Managing Director, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Limited v. Deepti Singh and Ors., 2019 SC)- CLAT PG - 2025
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- Article 14 of the Constitution stipulates that the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of laws within the territory of India. Article 15(1) states that the State should not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them. Article 15(4) stipulates that nothing in Article 15 shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Article 16 deals with equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Clause (1) of Article 16 guarantees equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State. Clause (2) stipulates that no citizen shall be discriminated in or be ineligible for any employment or office under the State on the grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them. Clause (4) of the provision states that nothing in Article 16 shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens, which in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State. The purpose of the equal opportunity principle in Article 16(1) and the reservation provision in Article 16(4) has emerged as a focal point of the jurisprudence on reservations in this Court. A discussion of the journey of the competing models of equality that the Court has espoused and their evolution over the course of the years is necessary to understand the constitutional vision on equality.
The impugned constitutional amendments by which Article 16 (4-A) and 16 (4-B) have been inserted, flow from Article 16 (4). They do not alter the structure of Article 16 (4). They retain the controlling factors or the compelling reasons which enables the State to provide for reservation keeping in mind the overall efficiency of the state administration under article 335. Sub-categorization within a class is a constitutional requirement to secure substantive equality in the event that there is a distinction between two sections of a class; Sub-classification must not lead to the exclusion of one of the categories in the class. A model that provides sufficient opportunities to all categories of the class must be adopted; and Sub-classification among a class must be on a reasonable basis.
Justice Bela Trivedi opined, in dissent, that presidential list of scheduled castes notified under Article 341 cannot be altered by the States. Any change to this list can only be made by a law enacted by Parliament. Sub-classification, according to her would amount to tampering with the Presidential List and undermine the object Article 341, which aims to eliminate political influence in the SC-ST List. Further, she emphasised the importance of adhering to the rule of plain and literal interpretation. She mentions that any preferential treatment for a sub-class within the presidential list would deprive other classes within the same category of their benefits. In the absence of executive or legislative power, state lack the competence to sub-classify castes and the benefit reserved for all SCs. Allowing states to do so would constitute a colourable exercise of power, which is impermissible under law. Justice Trivedi concluded by affirming that affirmative action by States must remain within constitutional boundaries and held that the law laid down in E.V. Chinnaiah case was correct and should be upheld.
(Extract from The State of Punjab & Ors. v. Davinder Singh & Ors. 2024 SC)- CLAT PG - 2025
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