Basic Structure Doctrine
Judicial doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati, 1973) that Parliament cannot amend the essential features of the Constitution.
Verified references:Wikipedia
On UPSC.wiki
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In previous-year questions
- In which landmark Supreme Court case was it first held that free and fair elections are part of the 'basic structure' of the Constitution of India?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The Supreme Court in the case 'L. Chandra Kumar vs Union of India (1997)' held which of the following regarding tribunals established under Articles 323A and 323B?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), established by the 99th Constitutional Amendment Act in 2014, was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015. The primary ground for striking it down was that it violated which doctrine?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The Supreme Court of India in the landmark Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) judgment established the Basic Structure Doctrine. Which of the following is NOT recognised as part of the Basic Structure of the Indian Constitution?UPSC · Current Affairs
