The 'basic structure doctrine', limiting Parliament's power to amend the Constitution, was authoritatively laid down by the Supreme Court in:
AShankari Prasad v. Union of India, AIR 1951 SC 458 — plenary amending power upheld
BSajjan Singh v. State of Rajasthan, AIR 1965 SC 845 — affirming Shankari Prasad doctrine
CKesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, AIR 1973 SC 1461 — basic structure doctrine
DGolak Nath v. State of Punjab, AIR 1967 SC 1643 — Fundamental Rights not amendable
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, AIR 1973 SC 1461 — basic structure doctrine
1. A thirteen-Judge Bench in Kesavananda Bharati (1973) held that the power to amend under Article 368 does not extend to altering the BASIC STRUCTURE of the Constitution.
2. Shankari Prasad (1951) and Sajjan Singh (1965) had earlier held Parliament's amending power was plenary; Golak Nath (1967) held that FRs could not be amended at all.
3. Kesavananda overruled Golak Nath in part but introduced the basic structure limitation.
4. Hence option D is correct.
_Source: Constitution of India (Bare Act, updated to 105th Amendment Act 2021), Govt. of India Legislative Dept., Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, AIR 1973 SC 1461_
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