The legal history of India abounds in landmark judgements that have changed India, enriching the Constitution, governance, and individual rights. These recognizably landmark judgments changed India in building democracy, establishing justice, and laying down new precedents. If you’re preparing for CLAT 2026, AILET 2026, or are engaged in an LLB course, understanding these landmark judgements that changed India is a must. So, let’s explore the 10 landmark judgments that changed India and their impact.
1. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) – The Basic Structure Doctrine
This case was filed by Kesavananda Bharati, a religious leader, challenging the Kerala government’s land reform law which affected his property. This is one of the landmark judgments that changed India. It stated that Parliament cannot amend the basic structure of the Constitution. This landmark judgment ensures that features like democracy, fundamental rights, and judicial independence remain untouched. The effect of this judgement was a prohibition on arbitrary constitutional amendments and safeguarding of democratic principles.
2. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) – Expanding Article 21
This is another landmark ruling that changed India as it enlarged the scope of Article 21. In this case, Maneka Gandhi’s passport was confiscated by the government without giving her any reason or opportunity to explain and this violated her personal liberty. The Supreme Court ruled that no one could be deprived of liberty without due process of law. Thus, it have broader stem to the ambit of the right to life.
3. Indira Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) – Mandal Commission & Reservations
In a landmark judgment that changed the landscape of India, this ruling upheld the Mandal commission report for reservation of 27% for Other backward classes (OBCs) in education and government jobs. However, it also capped the reservations at 50% of the total to impose a balance between affirmative action while still considering merit. Additionally, the court introduced a creamy layer concept to channel the reservation benefits only to the people who needed them and exclude the affluent OBCs out of the picture.
4. Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997) – Sexual Harassment at the Workplace
This landmark judgment that changed India laid the foundation for the Vishaka Guidelines, which later led to the POSH Act, 2013, making workplaces safer for women. Basically, Visakha, an NGO, filed a petition after a Dalit woman was gang-raped at her workplace. The Supreme Court held that sexual harassment at the workplace violates the fundamental rights of women.
5. Shayara Bano v. Union of India (2017) – Triple Talaq Ban
The factual scenario in this case was, Shayara Bano, a Muslim woman, challenged the practice of triple talaq (instant divorce) in Islam. The Supreme Court held that triple talaq violates women’s fundamental rights and her dignity. It also ruled that the Triple Talaq practice (Talaq-e-Bid’ah) was unconstitutional and not an essential religious practice. This judgment holds great value in ensuring gender equality and paving the way for the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019.
6. Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) – Decriminalizing Homosexuality
The LGBTQ+ activists challenged the colonial law of criminalisation of homosexuality. Among the most progressive landmark judgments that changed India, the court struck down Section 377 of IPC and ultimately held that criminalising same-sex relationships violates the right to equality and dignity.
7. Joseph Shine v. Union of India (2018) – Decriminalizing Adultery
This landmark judgment that changed India ruled Section 497 of IPC unconstitutional, establishing adultery as a civil wrong rather than a criminal offence. This was done to ensure gender equality in marriage laws.
8. Ayodhya Verdict (2019) – Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid Case
As we know, that Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992, leading to legal battles over ownership. This ruling granted the disputed land in Ayodhya for the construction of the Ram Temple . It was also held that an alternate land for a mosque is provided. This was done aiming for religious harmony and legal closure to a long-standing conflict.
9. K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) – Right to Privacy
A former judge of the Supreme Court Justice Puttaswamy challenged the government’s ude of Aadhaar, arguing that it violated privacy and personal liberty. The case recognized privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 and an integral part of personal liberty. This strengthened discussions on data protection and digital surveillance laws.
10. Sabarimala Temple Entry Case (2018)
In Sabrimala Temple women between 10-50 years were barred from entering the temple since they were considered ‘impur’e (since it is their age to menstruate). The ruling struck down restrictions on women of menstruating age from entering the Sabarimala temple, upholding the right to equality (Article 14) and right to worship (Article 25).
Conclusion
These landmark judgments that changed India have played a crucial role in strengthening democracy, ensuring justice, and protecting individual rights. If you are preparing for CLAT 2026, AILET, SLAT or any other law entrance exams with an aim to go to the top-notch National Law Universities (NLUs), these landmark judgments that changed India will help you excel in legal studies.
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