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Constitutional Issues in Recent News

Introduction

Constitutional issues frequently appear in competitive exams like SSC CGL, IBPS PO, and RRB NTPC as they test candidates' understanding of important developments related to the Indian Constitution. This pattern covers major Supreme Court judgments and constitutional amendments that remained in the news between 2022 and 2024, including rulings on the 103rd Amendment (EWS reservation), the Article 370 verdict (2023), the 106th Amendment (Women’s Reservation), and key decisions related to electoral bonds (2024).

Pattern: Constitutional Issues in Recent News

Pattern

This pattern tests knowledge of constitutional amendments, Supreme Court rulings, and debates on fundamental rights and governance highlighted in recent years.

Key Concept:

Understanding landmark constitutional developments such as amendments, judicial review, separation of powers, and application of the Basic Structure Doctrine.

Important Points:

  • 103rd Constitutional Amendment (2019) = Introduced 10% EWS reservation; upheld by Supreme Court in November 2022
  • Article 370 Verdict (December 2023) = Supreme Court upheld abrogation of Article 370 and directed restoration of statehood to J&K at the earliest
  • 106th Constitutional Amendment (2023) = Provides 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies (to be implemented after delimitation)
  • Electoral Bonds Verdict (February 2024) = Supreme Court struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme as unconstitutional for violating right to information

Related Topics:

  • Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
  • Judicial Review and Basic Structure Doctrine
  • Election Reforms and Transparency

Step-by-Step Example

Question

In February 2024, the Supreme Court struck down which political funding mechanism as unconstitutional?

Options:

  • A. Electoral Trust Scheme
  • B. Electoral Bonds Scheme
  • C. Corporate Donation Cap
  • D. MPLADS Scheme

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the issue

    The case concerned transparency in political funding.

  2. Step 2: Recall the 2024 Supreme Court verdict

    In February 2024, the Supreme Court struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme as unconstitutional.

  3. Step 3: Select the correct answer

    The unconstitutional mechanism was the Electoral Bonds Scheme.

  4. Final Answer:

    Electoral Bonds Scheme → Option B

  5. Quick Check:

    Political funding transparency case (2024) = Electoral Bonds struck down ✅

Quick Variations

This pattern may appear as questions on:

  • 1. Supreme Court verdict on Article 370 (2023)
  • 2. Application of Basic Structure Doctrine in reservation cases
  • 3. 106th Constitutional Amendment (Women’s Reservation, 2023)
  • 4. Electoral transparency and political funding reforms (2024)

Trick to Always Use

  • Focus on amendment number + year of Supreme Court verdict to avoid confusion.
  • Remember: Parliament cannot amend the “Basic Structure” of the Constitution under Article 368.
  • Link major verdicts with their year (2022 - EWS; 2023 - Article 370; 2024 - Electoral Bonds).

Summary

Summary

  • Recent constitutional issues revolve around landmark Supreme Court rulings.
  • The Basic Structure Doctrine is central in evaluating amendment validity.
  • Transparency and federalism were key themes in 2023-2024 rulings.

Remember:
Amendment number + Supreme Court verdict year = Key to answer

Practice

(1/5)
1. In February 2024, the Supreme Court declared which political funding mechanism unconstitutional?
easy
A. Electoral Trust Scheme
B. Electoral Bonds Scheme
C. Corporate Donation Cap System
D. MPLADS Scheme

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the issue

    The case concerned transparency in political funding and the right to information of voters.

  2. Step 2: Recall the 2024 verdict

    In February 2024, the Supreme Court struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme as unconstitutional.

  3. Final Answer:

    Electoral Bonds Scheme → Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    2024 political funding case = Electoral Bonds struck down ✅
Hint: 2024 verdict = Electoral Bonds unconstitutional.
Common Mistakes: Confusing Electoral Bonds with Electoral Trust Scheme.
2. The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of which amendment related to EWS reservation in November 2022?
easy
A. 101st Amendment
B. 102nd Amendment
C. 103rd Amendment
D. 104th Amendment

Solution

  1. Step 1: Recall EWS reservation amendment

    The 103rd Constitutional Amendment introduced 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

  2. Step 2: Supreme Court ruling

    In November 2022, the Supreme Court upheld its validity.

  3. Final Answer:

    103rd Amendment → Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    EWS reservation upheld = 103rd Amendment ✅
Hint: 103rd Amendment = EWS reservation.
Common Mistakes: Confusing with 102nd (NCBC status) or 101st (GST).
3. In December 2023, the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on which constitutional provision related to Jammu & Kashmir?
easy
A. Article 356
B. Article 370
C. Article 371
D. Article 32

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the issue

    The case concerned the abrogation of special status of Jammu & Kashmir.

  2. Step 2: Supreme Court verdict

    In December 2023, the Court upheld the abrogation of Article 370.

  3. Final Answer:

    Article 370 → Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    J&K special status case = Article 370 verdict (2023) ✅
Hint: 2023 J&K case = Article 370 upheld.
Common Mistakes: Confusing Article 356 (President’s Rule) with Article 370.
4. The 106th Constitutional Amendment (2023) provides reservation for which group?
medium
A. OBCs in local bodies
B. Economically Weaker Sections
C. Women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
D. SC/ST in private sector jobs

Solution

  1. Step 1: Recall amendment details

    The 106th Constitutional Amendment, 2023, is also known as the Women’s Reservation Amendment.

  2. Step 2: Key provision

    It provides 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies (to be implemented after delimitation).

  3. Final Answer:

    Women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies → Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    106th Amendment = Women’s Reservation ✅
Hint: 106th = Women’s Reservation.
Common Mistakes: Confusing with 103rd (EWS) or 105th (OBC powers).
5. Which constitutional doctrine prevents Parliament from altering the core features of the Constitution?
medium
A. Doctrine of Eclipse
B. Doctrine of Basic Structure
C. Doctrine of Pith and Substance
D. Doctrine of Severability

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify doctrine

    The Basic Structure Doctrine was evolved in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973).

  2. Step 2: Application

    It ensures Parliament cannot amend the Constitution in a way that destroys its core features.

  3. Final Answer:

    Doctrine of Basic Structure → Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    Core features protected = Basic Structure Doctrine ✅
Hint: Basic Structure = Cannot be amended.
Common Mistakes: Confusing with Severability or Eclipse doctrines.

Mock Test

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