Indian Economy·Key Judgments

Strategic Autonomy — Key Judgments

Updated 5 Mar 2026

Key Judgments

Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala

1973

While primarily about constitutional amendment powers, this judgment established the basic structure doctrine that includes India's sovereign character and international…

Maganbhai Ishwarbhai Patel v. Union of India

1969

This case established that the Union government has exclusive authority over foreign affairs under the Constitution. The Supreme Court held that states cannot enter into…