UPSC – Indian Constitution: Key Points, Inferred Concepts & Important Judgments
(Revised & High-Yield Highlighted)
Inferred Concepts (High-
Main Topic Key Points Important Judgments
Yield Highlighted)
Colonial legacy, S.R. Bommai (1994) –
Regulating Acts, Charter Federalism, Division of federalism &
Acts, Government of powers, Political vs secularism,
Historical
India Acts, Social Democracy, Kesavananda Bharati
Underpinnings
Independence Act 1947, Foundations of (1973) – basic structure
Constituent Assembly Fundamental Rights rooted in historical
debates context
Drafting Committee &
Chairperson
Kesavananda Bharati
(Ambedkar), Objectives
(1973) – Evolution vs
Resolution, Preamble Constitutional vision,
Evolution of Amendment
adoption, Constitution linkage of nationalist
the distinction, Minerva
enacted on 26 Jan 1950, ideals to governance,
Constitution Mills (1980) – balance
Influences from Govt of sovereignty, democracy
between DPSPs and
India Act 1935, British,
Fundamental Rights
Irish, US, French,
Weimar
Written & Lengthy, Rigid
yet flexible, Federal with
S.R. Bommai –
Unitary bias, Constitutionalism, Rule
federalism &
Parliamentary system, of Law, Separation of
Features of the secularism, Indira
Fundamental Rights & Powers, Checks &
Constitution Gandhi vs Raj Narain –
Duties, DPSPs, Balances, Democratic
basic structure
Independent Judiciary, governance
(separation of powers)
Secularism, Social
Justice
Article 368 – Procedure,
Kesavananda Bharati
Types: simple, special, Amendment vs
(1973) – basic structure,
constitutional, notable evolution, basic
limitations on
Amendments amendments (1st, 42nd, structure doctrine,
amendment, Minerva
44th, 73rd, 74th, 103rd, balancing continuity &
Mills (1980) – judicial
105th), Judicial review of change
review of amendment
amendments
Fundamental Rights Maneka Gandhi (1978)
Constitutional
(Articles 12–35), DPSPs – Right to Life & Liberty,
Morality,
(Articles 36–51), Navtej Johar (2018) –
Constitutionalism, Rule
Significant Fundamental Duties constitutional morality
of Law, Directive
Provisions (Article 51A), Emergency vs social morality,
Principles vs
provisions (Articles 352– Kesavananda Bharati
Fundamental Rights,
360), Roles of President, (1973) – Preamble &
Checks and Balances
Parliament, Judiciary basic structure
1
Inferred Concepts (High-
Main Topic Key Points Important Judgments
Yield Highlighted)
Kesavananda Bharati
Supremacy of (1973) – doctrine itself,
Constitution, Rule of Protection of Indira Gandhi vs Raj
Law, Separation of Constitution’s identity, Narain (1975) – judicial
Basic Structure Powers, Judicial Review, Limitation on control of
Doctrine Federalism, Democracy, parliamentary power, parliamentary
Secularism, Ensuring enduring amendments, Minerva
Fundamental Rights, constitutional values Mills (1980) – balancing
Free and fair elections Fundamental Rights &
DPSPs
