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You are here: Home / Polity / Basic Structure of the Constitution

Basic Structure of the Constitution

April 8, 2020 by BureaucratONE Leave a Comment Last Updated April 8, 2020

Table of Contents hide
1 Emergence of the Basic structure
2 Elements of the Basic Structure
2.1 Present position

Emergence of the Basic structure

  • 1st CAA - 1951 = Curtailed Rt to property
  • But A13 = Laws inconsitent with FR is void but not CAA
    • Qn whether FR amended?
      • Shakari Prasad Case - 1951 = YES
      • Golaknath Case 1967 = NO (challenging 17th CAA)
  • 24th CAA 1971 = amended A13 & A368 = power to parliament to even remove FR
  • KB Case 1973 = can amend but subject to Basic Structure
  • 42nd CAA 1976 = no limitation of parliament regarding amendment
  • Minerva Mills Case 1980 = above provision invalidated bcos Basic Structure
  • Waman Rao Case 1981 = BS Doctrine applies to CAA after 24 April 1973

Elements of the Basic Structure 

Present position  

  • Parliament under Article 368 can amend any part of the Constitution including FR 
  • But without affecting the 'basic structure' of the Constitution.  
  • Supreme Court is yet to define or clarify as to what constitutes the 'basic structure' of the Constitution.  
  • From the various judgments, the following have emerged as 'basic features' of the Constitution  
    • Supremacy of the Constitution 
    • Sovereign, democratic and republican nature of the Indian polity 
    • Secular character of the Constitution 
    • Separation of powers between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary 
    • Federal character of the Constitution 
    • Unity and integrity of the nation 
    • Welfare state (socio-economic justice) 
    • Judicial review 
    • Freedom and dignity of the individual 
    • Parliamentary system 
    • Rule of law 
    • Harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles 
    • Principle of equality 
    • Free and fair elections 
    • Independence of Judiciary 
    • Limited power of Parliament to amend the Constitution 
    • Effective access to justice 
    • Principle of reasonableness 
    • Powers of the Supreme Court under Articles 32, 136, 141 and 142 

Filed Under: Polity

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