24 April 1973Indian Polity & Panchayati Raj (GS-2)2 min read

Kesavananda Bharati Verdict & National Panchayati Raj Day

On 24 April 1973, the Supreme Court delivered the historic Kesavananda Bharati judgment saving constitutional democracy; exactly 20 years later on 24 April 1993, the 73rd Amendment institutionalized grassroots democracy.

Historical Context & Background (GS-1)

The 24th, 25th, and 29th amendments were challenged by Kesavananda Bharati Swamiji of Edneer Mutt. The landmark ruling preserved judicial review, rule of law, and secularism from parliamentary overreach.

High-Yield Prelims Takeaways

1Basic Structure Doctrine (1973)

Basic Structure Doctrine (1973): 13-judge constitutional bench ruled by 7-6 majority that Parliament cannot alter the 'Basic Structure' of the Constitution under Article 368.

2National Panchayati Raj Day

National Panchayati Raj Day: Celebrates the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 coming into force on 24 April 1993, giving constitutional status to local self-governance.

UPSC Mains Analytical Perspective

UPSC Mains (GS Paper 2): Kesavananda Bharati established the supremacy of the Constitution over Parliament, while the 73rd Amendment deepened democratic decentralization to over 250,000 Gram Panchayats.

On This Day Practice MCQ

UPSC GS Paper 2

With reference to the historical significance of Kesavananda Bharati Verdict & National Panchayati Raj Day, consider the core principles and facts associated with this event. Which statement correctly identifies its constitutional or strategic outcome?