SHORT ANSWER:
The basic structure doctrine is a legal principle that maintains certain fundamental features of the Indian Constitution cannot be altered or destroyed by amendments.
DETAILS:
- Established by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973).
- It ensures the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law, and the separation of powers.
- Key features considered part of the basic structure include the fundamental rights, the federal structure, and the independence of the judiciary.
PUNISHMENT / IMPLICATIONS (if applicable):
- Any constitutional amendment violating the basic structure can be struck down by the Supreme Court.
SOURCE:
- Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, 1973 (Supreme Court Judgment)
Related Questions: