Social and Economic Justice — Landmark Judgments

Landmark Judgments

Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala

1973

This landmark judgment established the 'Basic Structure Doctrine,' asserting that while Parliament can amend the Constitution, it cannot alter its fundamental features. Crucially,…

Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India

1980

This judgment further clarified the relationship between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles. The Supreme Court struck down Sections 4 and 55 of the 42nd Amendment Act,…

State of Kerala v. N.M. Thomas

1976

This case dealt with the validity of a rule granting preferential treatment to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in promotions. The Supreme Court upheld the rule, holding that…

Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation

1985

This judgment significantly expanded the scope of the 'Right to Life' under Article 21 to include the 'Right to Livelihood.' The Supreme Court held that the right to life would be…

Mohini Jain v. State of Karnataka

1992

The Supreme Court declared that the 'Right to Education' is a fundamental right implicit in the 'Right to Life' (Article 21). It held that charging capitation fees for admission…

Unni Krishnan, J.P. v. State of Andhra Pradesh

1993

Building on Mohini Jain, the Supreme Court explicitly held that every child has a right to free education until they complete 14 years of age. Beyond that, the right to education…

Janhit Abhiyan v. Union of India

2022

This recent landmark judgment upheld the constitutional validity of the 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, which introduced a 10% reservation for Economically Weaker…