Polity and Governance

  • M. Nagaraj Case (2006)

    – Reservation in Promotion for SCs and STs Background of the Case After the Indra Sawhney Case (1992): These were: These amendments were challenged in M. Nagaraj vs. Union of India. Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court delivered a doctrine-settling verdict. (a) Amendments Held Constitutionally Valid The Court upheld the constitutional validity…

  • Prakash Singh Case (2006)

    – Police Reforms and Institutional Autonomy Background of the Case Prakash Singh, a former Director General of Police (DGP), filed a Public Interest Litigation highlighting the: The Court noted that: Core Constitutional Concern How can policing be reformed to ensure neutrality, professionalism, and accountability, consistent with democratic governance? Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme Court issued…

  • Naveen Jindal Case (2004)

    – Right to Fly the National Flag Background of the Case Naveen Jindal, an industrialist and parliamentarian, was prevented by local authorities from flying the National Flag at the factory premises of his company. At that time: Jindal challenged these restrictions before the Supreme Court. Core Constitutional Question Does a citizen have a Fundamental Right…

  • T.M.A. Pai Foundation Case (2002)

    – Rights of Minority Educational Institutions Background of the Case Multiple petitions were filed challenging various State laws and regulations that sought to control: Conflicting earlier judgments had created uncertainty about: A 11-judge Constitution Bench was constituted to settle the law conclusively. Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Court laid down a comprehensive framework…

  • Association for Democratic Reforms Case (2002)

    – Right to Know of Voters Background of the Case For decades, Indian elections were conducted with very limited information available to voters about candidates. There was: The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) filed a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to ensure transparency in electoral contests. Core Constitutional Question Does a voter have a fundamental…

  • Vineet Narain Case (1997)

    – Autonomy of CBI and Anti-Corruption Framework Background of the Case The case arose out of the Jain Hawala scandal, which involved allegations of illegal payments to several high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats. Investigations by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) were perceived as: Concerned about institutional paralysis, Vineet Narain, a journalist, approached the Supreme Court…

  • Vishaka Case (1997)

    – Sexual Harassment and Fundamental Rights Background of the Case The case arose from the brutal gang rape of Bhanwari Devi, a social worker in Rajasthan, while she was performing her official duties. At the time: A group of women’s rights organisations, under the banner Vishaka, approached the Supreme Court through a Public Interest Litigation….

  • S.R. Bommai Case (1994)

    – President’s Rule and Federalism Background of the Case Article 356 empowers the President to impose President’s Rule in a State if the constitutional machinery fails. Historically, this provision was frequently misused by the Union Government to: Several proclamations of President’s Rule were challenged, including those imposed in: These challenges were heard together by a…

  • Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association Case (1993)

    – Second Judges Case Background of the Case Articles 124(2) and 217(1) provide that judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts shall be appointed by the President after consultation with: In the S.P. Gupta Case (1981) (First Judges Case), the Supreme Court had held that: This interpretation gave the executive primacy in judicial appointments….

  • Unni Krishnan Case (1993)

    – Right to Education Revisited Background of the Case After the sweeping declaration in Mohini Jain (1992) that education at all levels is a fundamental right, several State Governments argued that: This led to the reconsideration of the issue in Unni Krishnan vs. State of Andhra Pradesh. Core Constitutional Questions Supreme Court’s Judgement The Supreme…