UPSC 2023 PSIR · 15 marks · 250 words
The basic structure doctrine is a legitimate exercise in constitutional interpretation, not judicial usurpation. Comment.
What “Comment” demands
give a considered opinion on the specific proposition, supported by evidence — brevity is expected, evasion is not.
The characteristic failure: a general essay on the topic that never addresses the proposition itself.
What a top answer must contain
These are the checkable specifics from the marking standard for this question — the actual case, committee, datum or thinker, not an instruction to “give examples”.
- Kesavananda Bharati (1973); antecedents in Sajjan Singh dissents and German 'eternity clause' influence (Dieter Conrad)
- Usurpation critique: counter-majoritarian difficulty (Bickel); Justice Ray's dissent; recent VP Dhankhar critique
- Legitimacy defence: Constitution as higher law (Marbury logic), implied limitations, abuse-prevention (39th Amendment/Indira Nehru Gandhi)
- Theorists: Dworkin (moral reading), Hart (rule of recognition) applied to Indian debate
- Balanced conclusion tied to constituent vs legislative power distinction
The band thresholds and the pre-scored sample answers behind this standard stay private — they are the calibration your copy is placed against.
Now write it, and find out what you actually scored
Attempt this question — typed or photographed — and it is marked against the standard above in under a minute: six parameter scores, a blunt verdict, and the points you missed. 50 free credits on signup, no card.