List of top 10 landmark judgments for UPSC

 

The top 10 landmark judgments of the Supreme Court of India most relevant for UPSC preparation focus on constitutional doctrines, fundamental rights, and governance principles frequently tested in Prelims and Mains.​

 

Essential Cases List

 

s Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973): Introduced the basic structure doctrine, limiting Parliament's amendment powers under Article 368.​

 

s Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978): Expanded Article 21 to require "right, just, and fair" procedures, linking Articles 14, 19, and 21 as the golden triangle.​

 

s Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980): Reinforced basic structure by striking down parts of the 42nd Amendment that prioritized Directive Principles over fundamental rights.​

 

s Waman Rao v. Union of India (1981): Clarified basic structure's prospective application.​

 

s Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992): Upheld 27% OBC reservation but capped total at 50% and excluded creamy layer.

 

s S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994): Limited Article 356 misuse, making President's Rule justiciable and promoting federalism.​

 

s Vishakha v. State of Rajasthan (1997): Established guidelines against workplace sexual harassment, later codified as POSH Act.​

 

s Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015): Struck down Section 66A of IT Act as vague, protecting online free speech under Article 19.​

 

s K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017): Declared right to privacy a fundamental right under Articles 14, 19, and 21.​

 

s Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018): Decriminalized consensual same-sex relations by reading down Section 377 IPC.​

 

 

UPSC Relevance

 

These cases underpin polity questions on judicial review, federalism, reservations, and rights expansion, often appearing in MCQs or essays.