Which landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of India propounded the 'Doctrine of Basic Structure', placing implied limitations on the amending power of Parliament under Article 368?

💡 Solution & Explanation

In the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973, a thirteen-judge Supreme Court bench ruled that while Parliament possesses wide powers to amend the Constitution under Article 368, it cannot violate or destroy the basic structure or essential features of the document. Earlier rulings like Golaknath had placed rigid restrictions on amending fundamental rights, which this judgment balanced by allowing amendments provided core principles remained untouched. This doctrine acts as a vital judicial check against authoritarian legislative overreach in Indian democracy.