MAINS 2014
GS2
12.5 marks
Starting from inventing the basic structure doctrine, the judiciary has played a highly proactive role in ensuring that India develops into a thriving democracy. In light of the statement, evaluate the role played by judicial activism in achieving the ideals of democracy.
WRITE IN
9 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Evaluate how judicial activism, beginning with the basic structure doctrine, has advanced democratic ideals.
EvaluateWeigh what works and what does not, and say how far it succeeds.
Demand-wise check
- 1Protecting the Constitution: basic structure (Kesavananda 1973), limits on amending power≈35 words
- 2Expanding rights: Maneka Gandhi (1978) due process, Art 21 expansion, PIL and relaxed locus standi≈35 words
- 3Electoral and institutional integrity: candidate disclosures (2002), NOTA (2013), electoral bonds struck down (2024), CBI autonomy (Vineet Narain 1997)≈35 words
- 4Limits: overreach (governance by courts), separation of powers, NJAC strike-down, pendency, accountability concerns≈35 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Basic structure originRights expansionDemocratic integrityCriticismsBalanced verdict
Where marks usually go
- Only praising the judiciary without evaluating overreach
- Listing cases without stating what each did for democracy
Draw this
- Timeline: Kesavananda 1973 → Maneka 1978 → S.P. Gupta 1981 (PIL) → ADR 2002 → NOTA 2013 → electoral bonds 2024
Value addition
- CaseUnion of India v ADR (2002) required candidates to disclose criminal, financial and educational background.Supreme Court, 2002
- CaseADR v Union of India (February 2024) struck down the electoral bond scheme for violating voters' right to information.Supreme Court, 2024
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · Page 7 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Aditya Srivastava · AIR 1 · Page 29 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Alfred Thomas · Page 15 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · Page 9 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 9 minutes, then get it checked.