Administrative Law: Meaning, Definitions and Its Scope Explained

Administrative Law is a major branch of public law. It deals with the structure, powers, and functioning of the administrative authorities of the State. These authorities include government departments, local bodies, and public officials. In a developing country like India, administrative law plays a crucial role in maintaining balance between authority and accountability.

Let us explore what administrative law actually means, how it is defined by jurists, and what areas it covers.

Meaning of Administrative Law

Administrative law is the body of rules that controls how the executive branch of government functions. It regulates the powers and duties of public officials and administrative authorities. It also provides legal remedies to individuals when those powers are misused or abused.

Administrative law developed because the traditional branches of law — constitutional law, civil law, and criminal law — were not sufficient to handle the new responsibilities of a welfare state. The executive was no longer just enforcing laws but was also creating new rules, running services, and making decisions that affected people directly. This required a new set of rules to govern such actions.

In simple words, administrative law controls how government officers and agencies behave, and how citizens can protect themselves if something goes wrong.

Definitions by Jurists

Different scholars have defined administrative law in slightly different ways, but the basic idea remains the same.

M.P. Jain:
“Administrative law deals with the organisation, powers and duties of administrative authorities.”

K.C. Davis:
“Administrative law concerns itself with the powers and procedures of administrative agencies, including especially the law governing judicial review of administrative action.”

Wade and Forsyth:
“Administrative law is the law relating to the control of governmental power.”

From these definitions, we can say that administrative law deals with (i) the powers and functions of administrative authorities, and (ii) the legal limits within which these powers can be used.

Scope of Administrative Law

The scope of administrative law is broad and expanding every year. As government activities increase, the need for clear rules about how authorities should behave also increases. Administrative law is not a single statute or code. Instead, it is a combination of:

1. Statutory provisions (laws passed by the legislature)
2. Rules and regulations made by the executive
3. Judicial decisions (case law)
4. Principles of natural justice

Some of the important areas it covers include:

Delegated Legislation

This refers to laws made by the executive under the authority given by the legislature. For example, rules made by the Home Ministry under the Passport Act.

Administrative Adjudication

This involves quasi-judicial bodies like tribunals and commissions which decide disputes without going through the regular courts.

Judicial Review

Courts can review decisions made by administrative bodies to ensure they are legal, reasonable, and fair.

Principles of Natural Justice

Basic principles like the right to be heard and the rule against bias apply to all administrative actions.

Remedies Against Administrative Actions

Writs such as Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Certiorari, Prohibition, and Quo Warranto are available under Articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution to challenge unlawful administrative actions.

Importance in a Welfare State

Administrative law has become especially important in modern times because the government is now involved in almost every aspect of life — from transport and healthcare to education and environmental protection. With so many departments and officers taking decisions, there must be legal safeguards to protect the rights of citizens.

Without administrative law, there would be no clear process for citizens to complain against unfair treatment or arbitrary decisions. It ensures that the government acts within its powers and does not violate the law.

Administrative Law vs. Constitutional Law

While both deal with public authorities, there are key differences:

• Constitutional law provides the basic framework of the State. It defines the structure of government and guarantees fundamental rights.
• Administrative law focuses only on the executive. It deals with how public officials use their powers and what checks are in place.

However, both are connected. Administrative law often relies on constitutional principles, especially those found in Articles 14 (equality) and 21 (life and liberty).

Conclusion

Administrative law is a living and growing branch of law. It plays a key role in making sure that the vast powers given to the government are used properly and not abused. For any citizen, especially law students, understanding administrative law means understanding how the government really works – and how people can protect themselves when it doesn’t.

In the next blog, we will look at the growth and development of administrative law – why it expanded in India, and what factors made it necessary.