Directive Principles of State Policy — Landmark Judgments

Landmark Judgments

State of Madras v. Smt. Champakam Dorairajan

1951

This was one of the earliest cases to address the conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles. The Supreme Court ruled that Fundamental Rights are superior to…

Golaknath v. State of Punjab

1967

The Supreme Court held that Fundamental Rights are transcendental and immutable, and Parliament cannot amend them to implement Directive Principles. This judgment was a…

Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala

1973

This landmark judgment introduced the 'Basic Structure Doctrine,' stating that while Parliament has the power to amend any part of the Constitution, it cannot alter its 'basic…

Minerva Mills v. Union of India

1980

This case solidified the harmonious construction doctrine between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles. The Supreme Court struck down Section 4 of the 42nd Amendment Act,…

Mohini Jain v. State of Karnataka

1992

The Supreme Court held that the 'right to education' is a Fundamental Right, implicitly flowing from the 'right to life' under Article 21. The Court observed that the Directive…

Unnikrishnan J.P. v. State of Andhra Pradesh

1993

Building upon Mohini Jain, this case further elaborated on the 'right to education.' The Supreme Court affirmed that every child has a right to free education until the age of 14…