QUESTION 1
GS2
10 marks
Constitutional Morality is rooted in the constitution itself and is founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of Constitutional Morality with the help of relevant judicial decisions.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Explain constitutional morality as a doctrine drawn from the Constitution's core values, using the judgments that shaped it.
ExplainMake clear how and why it happens: causes, process, and an example for each point.
Demand-wise check
- 1Meaning: fidelity to constitutional values (liberty, equality, dignity, rule of law) over popular or social morality; Ambedkar's use of the term≈30 words
- 2Judicial use: Naz Foundation (2009), NCT Delhi v Union (2018), Navtej Johar (2018), Joseph Shine (2018), Sabarimala (2018)≈30 words
- 3Rooted in the text: Preamble, Part III, Article 14, 21, 25 read together≈30 words
- 4Criticism: vague, can widen judicial discretion (Sabarimala review)≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
Origin (Ambedkar)Meaning3–4 judgments with one line eachCriticismConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Naming cases without saying what each held about constitutional morality
- No mention of the criticism of the doctrine
Draw this
- Timeline of judgments using the doctrine
Value addition
- CaseIn NCT of Delhi v Union of India (2018) the Constitution Bench said constitutional morality requires high officials to respect constitutional norms and work in harmony.Supreme Court, 2018
- CaseNavtej Johar (2018): constitutional morality, not majoritarian 'public morality', decides the validity of Section 377.Supreme Court, 2018
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Alfred Thomas · Page 15 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Aditya Srivastava · AIR 1 · Page 29 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Alfred Thomas · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
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