Basic Structure Doctrine Practice Questions
20 free Basic Structure Doctrine practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
In which landmark judgement was the 'Basic Structure Doctrine' first propounded by the Supreme Court of India?
- A Golaknath case (1967)
- B Kesavananda Bharati (1973)
- C Minerva Mills case (1980)
- D Waman Rao case (1981)
Correct answer: Kesavananda Bharati (1973)
The Basic Structure Doctrine was established by a 13-judge bench in the Kesavananda Bharati case. The court ruled that while Parliament has wide powers to amend the Constitution under Article 368, it cannot alter its basic features.
The Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case overruled its previous judgement in which case regarding the power of Parliament to amend Fundamental Rights?
- A Shankari Prasad case
- B Sajjan Singh case
- C The Golaknath case (1967)
- D Berubari Union case
Correct answer: The Golaknath case (1967)
In the Golaknath case (1967), the court had ruled that Fundamental Rights were 'transcendental and immutable' and could not be amended. The Kesavananda Bharati judgement reversed this, stating rights can be amended as long as the basic structure remains intact.
Which of the following is NOT considered an element of the Basic Structure of the Indian Constitution?
- A Supremacy of the Constitution
- B Secular character of the Constitution
- C Presidential form of government
- D Separation of powers
Correct answer: Presidential form of government
The Indian Constitution establishes a Parliamentary form of government, which is part of the basic structure. A change to a Presidential form would be seen as an alteration of the Constitution's fundamental identity.
In the Minerva Mills case (1980), the Supreme Court struck down which provision of the 42nd Amendment Act that sought to give Parliament unlimited amending power?
- A Article 31C (expanded directive scope)
- B Article 368 (clauses 4 and 5)
- C Article 323A
- D Article 51A
Correct answer: Article 368 (clauses 4 and 5)
The court invalidated clauses 4 and 5 of Article 368, which claimed that no amendment could be questioned in any court. The court held that judicial review is a basic feature that cannot be taken away.
The principle of 'Harmony and Balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles' was declared a basic feature in which case?
- A Indra Sawhney case
- B Minerva Mills case
- C Kihoto Hollohan case
- D S.R. Bommai case
Correct answer: Minerva Mills case
The Supreme Court in Minerva Mills stated that the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of the balance between Parts III and IV. To give absolute primacy to one over the other would disturb the basic structure.
Which case established the 'Cut-off Date' of April 24, 1973, for the application of the Basic Structure Doctrine to laws placed in the Ninth Schedule?
- A Waman Rao case
- B I.R. Coelho case
- C M. Nagaraj case
- D S.P. Sampath Kumar case
Correct answer: Waman Rao case
In the Waman Rao case (1981), the court clarified that amendments to the Ninth Schedule made before the Kesavananda Bharati judgement (April 24, 1973) are valid, while those made after can be challenged on basic structure grounds.
The 'Rule of Law' and 'Judicial Review' were explicitly affirmed as part of the basic structure in which case involving the election of the Prime Minister?
- A Maneka Gandhi case
- B Indira Nehru Gandhi case (1975)
- C A.D.M. Jabalpur case
- D L. Chandra Kumar case
Correct answer: Indira Nehru Gandhi case (1975)
In the Indira Nehru Gandhi case, the court struck down the 39th Amendment Act (Clause 4) which placed election disputes of the PM and Speaker beyond judicial review. This affirmed that democracy and judicial review are non-negotiable features.
In the S.R. Bommai case (1994), which of the following was added to the list of basic features of the Constitution?
- A Secularism
- B Federalism
- C Both (a) and (b)
- D Effective access to justice
Correct answer: Both (a) and (b)
The S.R. Bommai judgement held that Secularism and Federalism are essential parts of the basic structure. The court ruled that the misuse of Article 356 (President's Rule) could be judicially reviewed based on these principles.
The Supreme Court's power under Article 32 to issue writs is considered part of the basic structure. Which Article's equivalent power for High Courts was also declared part of the basic structure in the L. Chandra Kumar case?
- A Article 131
- B Article 136
- C Article 226
- D Article 227
Correct answer: Article 226
In the L. Chandra Kumar case (1997), the court held that the power of judicial review vested in High Courts under Article 226 and the Supreme Court under Article 32 is an integral and essential feature of the Constitution.
Which judgement stated that the Ninth Schedule is not a 'blanket protection' and laws therein must pass the 'test of fundamental rights' if they affect the basic structure?
- A I.R. Coelho case (2007)
- B Golaknath case
- C Kesavananda Bharati case
- D K.S. Puttaswamy case
Correct answer: I.R. Coelho case (2007)
The I.R. Coelho case (Nine Judges Bench) ruled that any law added to the Ninth Schedule after April 24, 1973, can be violated if it destroys the basic structure as reflected in Articles 14, 19, and 21.
What is the primary objective of the Basic Structure Doctrine?
- A To provide the Parliament with more powers
- B To prevent the Preamble from being amended
- C To preserve the fundamental spirit and identity of the Constitution
- D To make the Constitution rigid and unchangeable
Correct answer: To preserve the fundamental spirit and identity of the Constitution
The doctrine ensures that while the Constitution can be adapted to changing times, its core philosophy—like democracy, secularism, and rights—cannot be destroyed by the temporary majority in Parliament.
Who was the Chief Justice of India during the Kesavananda Bharati case delivery?
- A Justice A.N. Ray
- B Justice S.M. Sikri
- C Justice M.H. Beg
- D Justice Y.V. Chandrachud
Correct answer: Justice S.M. Sikri
Justice S.M. Sikri headed the 13-judge bench. The verdict was delivered by a narrow majority of 7:6 on his last day in office.
Which amendment was primarily challenged in the Kesavananda Bharati case?
- A 24th Constitutional Amendment Act
- B 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act
- C 44th Constitutional Amendment Act
- D 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act
Correct answer: 24th Constitutional Amendment Act
The 24th Amendment, which asserted that Parliament had the power to abridge or take away any of the Fundamental Rights, was the central focus of the challenge in this case.
In the context of the Basic Structure, 'Sovereignty of India' is:
- A An amendable feature
- B A basic feature of the Constitution
- C A feature that can be yielded to international bodies
- D Subject to the will of the President
Correct answer: A basic feature of the Constitution
The sovereignty and territorial integrity of India are universally accepted as part of the basic structure. No amendment can legally surrender the independence of the Indian State.
The 'Limited amending power of the Parliament' itself is a basic feature. This was emphasized in which case?
- A Minerva Mills case
- B Indra Sawhney case
- C Sajjan Singh case
- D Shankari Prasad case
Correct answer: Minerva Mills case
The Supreme Court reasoned that since Parliament's power to amend is granted by the Constitution, that power must be limited. A limited power cannot be used to convert itself into an unlimited one.
Which of the following describes the nature of the list of 'Basic Features'?
- A Clearly defined in Article 368
- B Exhaustively listed in the Preamble
- C Not exhaustively defined; evolved through judicial interpretations
- D Fixed by the first Constituent Assembly
Correct answer: Not exhaustively defined; evolved through judicial interpretations
The Constitution does not define 'Basic Structure'. It is a judicial innovation where the court decides on a case-by-case basis whether a particular feature constitutes the basic structure.
The 'Free and Fair Elections' principle was recognized as a basic structure element in which case?
- A Indira Nehru Gandhi vs Raj Narain
- B Golaknath vs State of Punjab
- C S.R. Bommai vs Union of India
- D Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan
Correct answer: Indira Nehru Gandhi vs Raj Narain
In the 1975 Indira Gandhi election case, Justice H.R. Khanna and others noted that democracy is a basic feature, and free and fair elections are the essential tool to realize democracy.
Is the 'Preamble' of the Indian Constitution amendable under Article 368?
- A No, it is not part of the Constitution
- B Yes, but only the words 'Socialist' and 'Secular'
- C Yes, provided the basic features within it are not destroyed
- D Only with the consent of all State Legislatures
Correct answer: Yes, provided the basic features within it are not destroyed
The Kesavananda Bharati case held that the Preamble is a part of the Constitution and can be amended, but its 'basic features' cannot be removed. It was amended once in 1976.
The concept of 'Welfare State' (Social and Economic Justice) as a basic structure element was emphasized in:
- A Minerva Mills case
- B Raghunath Rao case
- C Kihoto Hollohan case
- D Indra Sawhney case
Correct answer: Raghunath Rao case
In the Raghunath Rao case (1993), the court upheld the 26th Amendment (abolishing Privy Purses) noting that the goal of a Welfare State is part of the basic structure.
The 'Independence of the Judiciary' was most recently reaffirmed as part of the basic structure when the Court struck down which act?
- A National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act
- B Right to Information Act
- C Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act
- D Representation of the People Act
Correct answer: National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act
In 2015, the Supreme Court struck down the 99th Amendment and the NJAC Act, arguing that the involvement of the executive in judicial appointments compromised the independence of the judiciary, a basic feature.