---
title: "Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973): Basic Structure"
description: "Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) ruled that Parliament cannot amend the Constitution's basic structure, a landmark decision for Indian democracy."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/kesavananda-bharati-case-1973"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Kesavananda Bharati v.
- State of Kerala (1973) is the Indian Supreme Court ruling that Parliament cannot amend the Constitution's basic structure under Article 368.
- What exactly did the Kesavananda Bharati judgment hold?
- How does the basic structure doctrine differ from ordinary judicial review?
- What features have courts since identified as part of the basic structure?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In 2015, the Supreme Court of India struck down the Ninety-ninth Constitutional Amendment establishing the National Judicial Appointments Commission, holding that judicial independence formed part of the basic structure protected under Kesavananda Bharati.

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