Administrative law is a vital and expansive branch of public law that governs the functioning, powers and procedures of administrative authorities. Its growth has been closely associated with the transformation of the State from a minimal, laissez-faire entity to an interventionist and welfare-oriented structure. As the State began to regulate industries, provide welfare services, supervise economic activity and take responsibility for public health, education, environment and labour, the number of administrative bodies increased drastically. These bodies required a legal framework that would regulate their powers, protect citizens from arbitrary action and ensure fairness and accountability.

Administrative law emerged in response to these needs, and its development has been shaped by multiple sources. Unlike many branches of law that are predominantly statutory or judge-made, administrative law draws from a combination of constitutional provisions, legislative enactments, subordinate legislation, judicial decisions, administrative directions, conventions, policy statements, and academic commentary. Understanding these sources is essential for appreciating the dynamic nature of administrative law and the principles that govern administrative authorities.

Administrative law does not have a single codified statute in most countries, including India. Instead, it has evolved through a combination of written and unwritten sources. Each source contributes uniquely to the structure, interpretation, and application of administrative principles. Some sources provide substantive rules that guide the exercise of administrative power, while others establish procedural norms that administrative bodies must follow. Certain sources shape the doctrines of judicial review, natural justice, delegated legislation and administrative discretion. The interplay between these sources forms the foundation of administrative law.

The primary and most authoritative source of administrative law in India is the Constitution. The Constitution establishes the framework of governance, defines the powers of the executive, and guarantees fundamental rights that protect citizens from arbitrary administrative action. Articles such as 12, 13, 14, 19, 21, 32, 136, 226 and 300A have direct relevance to administrative law. Article 14 embodies the principle of equality before law and prohibits arbitrary or discriminatory actions by the State.

This principle has shaped the doctrine of reasonableness and fairness in administrative law. Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, which has been interpreted expansively to include procedural fairness, the right to a clean environment, the right to livelihood and the right to privacy. These rights impose substantive obligations upon administrative authorities and restrict the exercise of discretionary power.

The Constitution also establishes the framework for judicial review of administrative action. Article 32 empowers the Supreme Court to enforce fundamental rights, while Article 226 gives High Courts expansive powers to issue writs for enforcement of rights and for reviewing administrative decisions. These provisions form the backbone of administrative accountability and ensure that administrative bodies remain within their legal authority.

The Constitution defines the powers of the President and Governors, establishes the structure of bureaucracy, and includes provisions relating to finance, taxation and public administration. It also provides for the creation of administrative tribunals under Articles 323A and 323B. Thus, the Constitution supplies both the substantive and procedural foundation for administrative law.

Legislation is another major source of administrative law. Parliament and State legislatures enact statutes that create administrative bodies, confer powers upon them, define their functions, and establish the limits of their authority. Examples include statutes relating to environmental protection, taxation, public health, labour welfare, food safety, transport, electricity, telecommunications and financial regulation.

These laws provide the statutory basis upon which administrative agencies operate. Legislation also establishes frameworks for delegated legislation, administrative adjudication, licensing, enforcement, and regulatory supervision. Many statutes explicitly prescribe procedures that administrative agencies must follow, such as requirements for notice, hearings, reasons for decisions and appeals. Legislation frequently empowers agencies to make rules, issue guidelines, grant licences, impose penalties, conduct inspections or enforce compliance. Therefore, legislation forms the largest and most detailed source of administrative law.

Delegated legislation constitutes another important source. Modern governance requires the creation of detailed rules, regulations, bye-laws, orders and notifications that implement legislative policy. Legislatures cannot anticipate every technical detail or future development, nor can they constantly amend statutes. Delegated legislation allows administrative authorities to frame detailed rules under the authority granted by the parent statute. These rules have the force of law and affect rights and obligations.

Delegated legislation includes rules framed by ministries, regulations issued by regulatory authorities, notifications relating to taxation and public health, bye-laws created by municipal bodies and administrative orders issued by departments. Courts have developed principles to control delegated legislation, including doctrines of ultra vires, reasonableness, procedural fairness and consistency with constitutional norms. Delegated legislation is subject to judicial review, and courts have struck down rules that exceed statutory authority or violate fundamental rights.

Judicial decisions are one of the most influential sources of administrative law. The judiciary has played a crucial role in shaping doctrines such as natural justice, legitimate expectation, proportionality, procedural fairness, reasonableness, administrative discretion, mala fides, arbitrariness and judicial review of administrative action. Since administrative law is not codified, courts have developed guiding principles through interpretation of statutes, review of administrative action and constitutional adjudication. Judicial review forms the central mechanism through which courts supervise administrative authorities.

Courts examine whether an administrative decision is illegal, irrational, procedurally improper or violative of fundamental rights. Judicial decisions ensure accountability, prevent abuse of power and protect individual rights. The judiciary has expanded the scope of natural justice by holding that personal hearings, notice of charges, unbiased adjudication and reasoned decisions are essential components of fair procedure. Indian courts have also recognised doctrines such as legitimate expectation, which protects the expectations created by consistent administrative practice, and proportionality, which ensures that administrative decisions are balanced and not excessively restrictive.

Administrative directions, circulars, manuals and policy statements also serve as sources of administrative law. These instruments do not ordinarily have the force of law unless authorised by statute, but they guide the internal functioning of administrative agencies. Administrative directions help ensure uniformity and consistency in decision-making. They inform the public of government policies and clarify the manner in which statutes or rules will be implemented.

Although administrative directions are not enforceable like statutes, courts may consider them when determining whether an administrative authority acted fairly, reasonably or consistently. When authorities depart from policy guidelines without justification, courts may hold such action arbitrary. Administrative manuals and instructions play an important role in fields such as taxation, customs, police administration, labour regulation and public welfare.

Customs, usages and conventions also play a limited role as sources of administrative law. In certain sectors, long-standing administrative practices evolve into customary standards that guide decision-making. Courts may recognise these practices when determining the reasonableness of administrative action or when filling gaps in statutory or regulatory frameworks. Administrative conventions also shape relationships between authorities, such as conventions relating to the functioning of cabinet committees, regulatory agencies and public corporations. Although conventions are not legally enforceable, they influence the behaviour of administrative actors and contribute to administrative stability.

Another important source of administrative law is comparative jurisprudence. Courts in India and other common law jurisdictions often refer to decisions from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia when interpreting principles of administrative law. This comparative approach has enriched Indian administrative law by introducing doctrines such as natural justice, legitimate expectation, Wednesbury unreasonableness and proportionality.

These principles evolved in other jurisdictions but were adapted to the Indian constitutional context. Comparative jurisprudence serves as a persuasive authority and helps courts address new administrative challenges. In areas such as environmental regulation, technology governance, privacy protection and competition law, international developments have influenced administrative decisions in India.

Academic writing and scholarly commentary also contribute to the development of administrative law. Scholars analyse judicial decisions, interpret statutes, evaluate administrative reforms and propose new principles. Their writings provide clarity, context and analysis that assist courts, policymakers and practitioners. Although academic commentary does not have the force of law, it influences judicial reasoning and guides legislative reforms. In many landmark administrative law decisions, courts have referred to scholarly works to support legal principles or interpret doctrines.

Reports of committees and commissions serve as another source of administrative law. Committees such as the Sarkaria Commission, the Second Administrative Reforms Commission and the Law Commission have made recommendations that shape administrative practices and legislative reforms. These reports analyse administrative deficiencies, propose institutional changes and suggest amendments to statutes. While committee reports are not binding, they influence judicial expectations of administrative standards and guide the creation of new regulatory frameworks. Courts often cite these reports to understand administrative problems and the intent behind legislative reforms.

Another significant source is public policy. Administrative authorities frequently exercise power based on policy considerations. While policies are not law, they form the basis of administrative action and guide the decision-making process. Courts recognise administrative policies as long as they are reasonable, consistent with statutory provisions, and not arbitrary. When administrative decisions deviate from established policies without justification, courts may intervene. Public policy therefore acts as a soft source of administrative law, shaping administrative decisions and guiding judicial review.

The growth of administrative tribunals as specialised bodies has produced another source of administrative law. Tribunals such as the Central Administrative Tribunal, National Green Tribunal and Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal adjudicate disputes involving administrative decisions. Their decisions contribute to the development of administrative principles, especially in specialised sectors. Although tribunal decisions are subject to scrutiny by High Courts and the Supreme Court, they generate a body of quasi-judicial jurisprudence that influences administrative practice.

International law and global regulatory norms also increasingly influence administrative law in India. International agreements, environmental treaties, human rights conventions and trade norms shape administrative policies, especially in fields such as environmental protection, digital governance, climate regulation and public health. Courts sometimes refer to international principles to interpret constitutional rights or assess administrative action. Global standards influence regulatory practices of Indian agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the Reserve Bank of India, the Competition Commission of India and environmental regulators.

The sources of administrative law must also be understood in the context of the Indian bureaucracy. The administrative system in India includes the All India Services, central and state civil services, public corporations and regulatory bodies. The internal procedures, conduct rules, service manuals and administrative precedents that guide bureaucratic functioning contribute indirectly to administrative law. Although not formal sources, these internal guidelines influence how laws are implemented and shape the behaviour of administrative authorities.

The dynamic nature of administrative law means that its sources expand in response to new developments. The rise of digital governance has introduced new sources of administrative principles, such as data protection guidelines, cybersecurity frameworks and technological standards. These instruments regulate how administrative agencies use technology to deliver services, process data and interact with citizens. Courts increasingly rely on digital policy documents to determine whether administrative action is lawful and procedurally fair.

The interaction between these sources forms the foundation of administrative governance in India. The Constitution provides the fundamental principles, legislation provides statutory authority, delegated legislation fills in technical details, judicial decisions provide interpretive guidance, administrative directions ensure consistency, customs shape established practices, scholarly writings offer analysis, committee reports recommend reforms, global norms provide comparative insights, and administrative precedents guide practical application. Together, these sources create a coherent and evolving framework that regulates administrative power.

Administrative law continues to grow as the role of the State expands into new areas such as environmental regulation, climate governance, fintech supervision, digital privacy, artificial intelligence, public health emergencies and e-governance. Each new field requires administrative bodies to exercise complex powers, and each new administrative action requires legal regulation. As a result, the sources of administrative law continue to diversify. The judiciary plays a critical role in integrating these sources into a unified legal framework, ensuring that administrative bodies act fairly, reasonably and within the limits of their authority.

In conclusion, the sources of administrative law reflect the richness and complexity of modern governance. Administrative law derives its authority from the Constitution, legislation, delegated legislation, judicial decisions, administrative directions, customs, conventions, academic writings, committee reports, comparative jurisprudence and international norms. These sources collectively ensure that administrative power is exercised responsibly, transparently and in accordance with the rule of law.

The multiple sources of administrative law highlight its dynamic and evolving character, making it responsive to changing societal needs, technological developments and constitutional values. The combination of written and unwritten sources ensures that administrative law remains flexible enough to accommodate new challenges while firmly rooted in principles of fairness, equality and accountability. The future of administrative law will continue to be shaped by these diverse sources, reflecting the complexities of a modern democratic state committed to justice and governance under law.