Recent Supreme Court Judgements for UPSC Mains 2024 : The Supreme Court of India (SC) plays a crucial role in shaping the legal and administrative landscape of the country. Many landmark Supreme Court judgements have set important precedents that influenced the democracy and interpretation of constitutional articles.
For example, the judgement in Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India significantly expanded the scope of Article 21, emphasising that the right to life and personal liberty cannot be curtailed without due process of law. Therefore, aspirants need to be well-versed in significant Supreme Court judgements for UPSC Mains 2024 .
Relevance of Supreme Court Rulings for UPSC Mains:
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Latest Supreme Court Judgements for UPSC Mains 2024 | ||
Case Name | Issue | Judgement |
Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) | Privacy is a fundamental right or not? | Fundamental Right to Privacy is intrinsic to life and liberty and thus, comes under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. |
Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) | Is homosexuality a crime? | Decriminalized consensual homosexual acts, affirming the rights to privacy and equality. |
SC v. Subhash Chandra Agarwal (2018) | Secrecy V. Right to information | Ruled that the office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) would come under the ambit of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act). |
Vidhya Devi V. The State of Himachal Pradesh (2020) | Right against deprivation of property | SC stated that Right to property is both a human right and a constitutional right - the latter under Article 300A of the Constitution. |
S.G. Vombatkere vs Union of India (2022) | Constitutional Validity of Section 124A of IPC | Orderd governments to refrain from registering any FIR under section 124A of the IPC. Ensured balance between Civil liberties and the security of the state. |
M.K Ranjitsinh Versus Union of India (2024) | Directive Principles of State Policy (Art.47 and 48A), Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972, etc. | Recognized the right to a healthy environment and the right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change. |
Electoral Bonds Scheme case (2024) | Validity of Electoral Bonds Scheme | Struck down the electoral bond scheme, calling it unconstitutional. |
Landmark Supreme Court Judgements for UPSC Mains 2024 | ||
Case Name | Issue | Significance |
Romesh Thapar v. State of Madras (1950) | Freedom of Speech and Expression | Established the principle that the Freedom of Speech and Expression is a Fundamental Right, subject to reasonable restrictions. |
Berubari Union Case (1960) | Power of the Parliament | Established important principles regarding the Territorial Integrity of India and the limits of the Amending power of the Parliament. |
Golaknath v. State of Punjab (1967) | Power to Amend Fundamental Rights | Declared that Parliament could not curtail any of the Fundamental Rights in the Constitution. |
Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) | Power to Amend Fundamental Rights | Introduced the Basic Structure Doctrine, limiting the Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution. Established the Principle of Judicial Review |
Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) | Right to Personal Liberty (Art. 21) | Expanded the interpretation of Article 21, linking it with Articles 14 and 19. Gave the term ‘Personal Liberty’ the widest possible interpretation marking the beginning of judicial activism in India. |
Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum (1985) | Section 125 of CrPC, Uniform Civil Code | Took note of different personal laws and the need to recognize and address the issue of gender e quality. Highlighted the need for a Uniform Civil Code. |
D. C. Wadhwa & Ors. vs. State of Bihar (1986) | Powers of Governor | Put a check on the process of promulgation of ordinances. Upheld the balance between the Executive and Legislature. |
M.C. Mehta V. Union of India (1986) | Right to Pollution-free Environment | Supreme Court performed an Extra-judicial role. Changed the scope of Environment Law in India |
Indira Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) | Validity of Reservation | Upheld the 27% reservation for OBCs and introduced the concept of the "creamy layer". |
S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994) | Role of Governor | Emphasized federalism and limited the misuse of the President’s rule. |
Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015) | Section 66A of the IT Act | Struck down Section 66A of the IT Act, protecting freedom of speech online. Put restrictions on the arbitrary powers of the government. |
Supreme Court Judgements for UPSC Mains – Download PDF |
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