For which one of the following judgements of the Supreme Court of India, the Kesavananda Bharati vs State of India case is considered a landmark ?

The Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala (1973) case is a landmark in Indian constitutional history for establishing the 'Basic Structure Doctrine' [t1][t3]. The Supreme Court's 13-judge bench ruled that while Parliament has the power to amend any part of the Constitution under Article 368, it cannot alter or destroy its 'basic structure' or essential features [c2][c4]. This doctrine acts as a judicial limitation on the amending power of the legislature [c5]. The court identified several elements as part of this structure, including the supremacy of the Constitution, the republican and democratic form of government, and the secular character [t4]. Although the Preamble is not explicitly mentioned in the option as the sole source, the judgment clarified that the basic structure is often reflected in the Preamble's objectives [t1][t8]. This ruling ensures the Constitution remains a living document while preserving its core identity [t1].

Sources

1. [1] https://judgments.ecourts.gov.in/KBJ/?p=home/intro
2. [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 90: Landmark Judgements and Their Impact > KESAVANANDA BHARATI CASE (1973) > p. 626
3. [3] Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: CONSTITUTION AS A LIVING DOCUMENT > BASIC STRUCTURE AND EVOLUTION OF THE CONSTITUTION > p. 211
4. [4] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > CHAP. 8 Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties 97 > p. 97