Landmark Cases

Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)

Landmark Cases

Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)

The brief

Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)

The basic structure doctrine.

You: Law student studying the case
Opposite: Constitutional law tutor

Citation: (1973) 4 SCC 225
Bench: 13 judges (largest ever)
Core holding: Parliament can amend the Constitution under Article 368 but cannot alter its "basic structure".
Key concepts: basic structure doctrine, constituent power vs constituted power, Golaknath overruled in part.

Law student studying the case

Constitutional law tutor

The court is in session. Make your opening statement.