Electoral Bond Case: ADR v. Union of India
A 5-judge bench unanimously struck down the Electoral Bond Scheme as unconstitutional, citing violations of the right to information under Article 19(1)(a).
February 15, 2024Waqf Tribunal Jurisdiction: Maha. Waqf Board v. Shaikh Chawla
A 2-judge bench clarified the exclusive jurisdiction of Waqf Tribunals under the Waqf Act, 1995, overturning a High Court decision.
January 10, 2023SCAORA v. Union of India
A 9-judge bench (7:2) overruled S.P. Gupta, establishing the Collegium system with primacy of CJI in judicial appointments.
October 6, 1993Indra Sawhney v. Union of India
A 9-judge bench upheld 27% OBC reservations while limiting total reservations to 50% and excluding "creamy layer".
November 16, 1992Mohini Jain v. State of Karnataka
A 2-judge bench declared right to education as part of Article 21, striking down capitation fees in medical colleges.
July 30, 1992M.C. Mehta v. Union of India
A 5-judge bench evolved absolute liability doctrine for hazardous industries, departing from the Rylands v Fletcher rule.
December 20, 1986Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum
A 5-judge bench directed maintenance to divorced Muslim women under CrPC, triggering nationwide debate on uniform civil code.
April 23, 1985Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation
A 5-judge bench held right to livelihood as integral to Article 21, but upheld pavement dweller evictions with procedural safeguards.
July 10, 1985S.P. Gupta v. Union of India
A 7-judge bench held executive has primacy in judicial appointments; later overruled by Second Judges Case (1993).
December 30, 1981Minerva Mills v. Union of India
A 5-judge bench struck down clauses of 42nd Amendment that gave primacy to DPSPs and removed judicial review limits.
July 31, 1980Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab
A 5-judge bench (4:1) upheld death penalty's constitutionality, establishing "rarest of rare" doctrine for capital punishment.
May 9, 1980Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
A 7-judge bench expanded Article 21, requiring fair, just and reasonable procedure, overruling A.K. Gopalan's narrow interpretation.
January 25, 1978ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla
A 5-judge bench (4:1) held during Emergency, right to life under Article 21 can be suspended, allowing detention without remedy.
April 28, 1976Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain
A 5-judge bench struck down constitutional amendments granting PM immunity from election challenges, upholding free and fair elections.
November 7, 1975Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
Largest ever 13-judge bench (7:6) established the Basic Structure Doctrine, limiting Parliament's power to amend the Constitution's core features.
April 24, 1973I.C. Golaknath v. State of Punjab
An 11-judge bench (6:5) overruled earlier decisions, holding Parliament cannot amend Fundamental Rights; introduced prospective overruling.
February 27, 1967Sajjan Singh v. State of Rajasthan
A 5-judge bench (3:2) reaffirmed Parliament's power to amend Fundamental Rights, though minority judges expressed doubts, hinting at basic features.
October 30, 1964Berubari Union Case (Re: Presidential Reference)
An 8-judge bench advised that Parliament cannot cede territory using Article 3; a Constitutional Amendment under Article 368 is required.
March 14, 1960Shankari Prasad Singh Deo v. Union of India
A 5-judge bench upheld Parliament's power under Article 368 to amend Fundamental Rights, distinguishing it from ordinary 'law' under Article 13(2).
October 5, 1951State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan
A 7-judge bench struck down caste-based reservations, establishing primacy of Fundamental Rights over DPSPs, leading to the First Amendment.
April 9, 1951A.K. Gopalan v. State of Madras
A 6-judge bench upheld the Preventive Detention Act, 1950, taking a narrow view of Article 21 regarding 'procedure established by law'.
May 19, 1950