Q1. Which famous judgement restricted the authority of the Parliament to amend the Constitution so as to damage or destroy its basic or essential features or its basic structure ?
(a) Golaknath case
(b) Balananda Saraswati case
(c) Minerva Mills Ltd. and others case
(d) Keshvanand Bharti case
(UPSC Prelims 1981)
Answer: (a) Golaknath case
Explanation: The Golaknath case (1967) was a landmark judgment where the Supreme Court ruled that Parliament could not amend Fundamental Rights under Article 368. This decision laid the foundation for the basic structure doctrine, which was later reinforced in the Keshavananda Bharati case, ensuring that the core principles of the Constitution remain inviolable.