Landmark Cases of Supreme Court India:

1. His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala (Kesavananda Bharati

Case ) - Landmark Judgement by Supreme Court 13 Judges Bench which
propounded the Basic Structure Doctrine or Essential Feature Theory. In this case
Golak Nath Case was overruled and Bench in majority said that Parliament can
amend any part of Indian Constitution but it can not destroy the basic structure. SC
said the parliament has limited amending power. 
2. Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India - Article 21 Case / Era of Right to life started
expanding from this case.
3. Justice K S Puttaswamy vs Union of India - Right to Privacy Case
4. Shankari Prasad vs Union of India - Power of (Provisional) Parliament to Amend
Constitution and specially Fundamental Rights
5. Sajjan Singh vs State of Rajasthan - Power of Parliament to Amend the
Constitution
6. A K Gopalan vs State of Madras - Preventive Detention Act 1950
7. Romesh Thappar vs State of Madras - Freedom of Speech - Post publication
prevention of circulation of crossroad weekly magazine resulted in violation of
freedom of speech [This judgment resulted into amendment in Article 19 of Indian
Constitution]
8. Brij Bhushan Sharma vs Delhi - Freedom of Speech - Pre Publication Censorship
of Organizer weekly resulted into violation of Freedom of Speech as per Supreme
Court [This judgment resulted into amendment in Article 19 of Indian Constitution]
9. State of Madras vs Champakam Dorairajan - Caste based reservation in
admission to the educational institution [This judgment resulted into amendment in
Article 15 of Indian Constitution]
10. M P Sharma vs Satish Chandra Case - Right to Privacy Issue
11. Kharak Singh vs State of Uttar Pradesh - Whether  privacy is a part of
fundamental right in our constitution
12. In Re Beruberi Case - Cession of a part of the territory of India, Exchange of
enclave with Pakistan
13. Commissioner Hindu Religious Endowments Madras vs Sri Lakhmindra
Thirtha Swamiar of Shirur Mutt - Essential Religious Practice Test
14. K M Nanavati vs State of Maharashtra - Jury Trial and Pardoning Power of
Governor
15. I C Golaknath vs State of Punjab Case - Power of Parliament to Amend the
Constitution. In 11 Judges case Supreme Court held that Part 3 of Indian
Constitution is fundamental in nature and parliament can not amend Fundamental
rights given in Indian Constitution. Court also held that Article 368 provides
procedure for the constitutional amendments and Amendment to the constitution is
law as per article 13 of Indian Constitution. Court also applied the principle of
Prospective overruling in Golaknath case.
16. His Highness Maharajadhiraja Madhav Rao Jiwaji Rao Scindia vs Union of
India - In this case abolition of privy purse of erstwhile rulers were abolished 
through presidential order so the rulers challenged that decision of government. A
 constitution bench restored the privy purse of rulers and held the Presidential order
as unconstitutional.
17. Indira Nehru Gandhi vs Raj Narain Case - Election of Indira Gandhi was
challenged due to election malpractice
18. ADM Jabalpur vs Shivkant Shukla Case - One of the most contentious decision of
Supreme Court of India. This case is also known as habeus  corpus case. During
emergency many opposition leaders were detained. They challenged the govt action
through writ petitions in various High Courts. Decisions of High Courts were
challenged in Supreme Court and SC held that Fundamental Rights Can be
suspended during emergency. Right to move to High Courts under Article 226 during
emergency was in issue in this case.
19. S.P. Gupta vs President of India Case - Those high Court judges, who have issued
habeus corpus petition [those which were challenged through ADM Jabalpur vs
Shivkant Shukla Case ] during emergency were transferred to different High Courts.
This action of Government was challenged in SP Gupta Case. Major issue in this
case was appointment of Judges of High Courts & Supreme Court. As the petition
was filed by an Advocate and not by any aggrieved judges so issue of locus standi
also settled in this case for public interest litigation. Supreme Court held that Bar /
Advocates are integral part of judicial system and they can challenge the issues
related to Judiciary.
20. Bachan Singh vs State of Punjab - It was death penalty case. The court
expounded the principle of Rarest of Rare case in Bachan Singh Case. Court said
life imprisonment is the rule and Death Penalty / Capital Punishment is exception.
Only in rarest of rare cases capital punishment can be awarded to convict of murder.
21. Hussainara Khatoon vs Home Secretary, State of Bihar - Rights of Undertrial
Prisoners, Right to Speedy Trial under Article 21 of Indian Constitution
22. Minerva Mills Ltd vs Union of India - Harmony and Balance between Fundamental
Rights and Directive Principle of State Policy. Basic Structure Doctrine was applied
in this case.
23. Bandhua Mukti Morcha vs Union of India - PIL for those who can not reach
Supreme Court or High Courts for their breach of fundamental rights. Whether a
person whom legal injury is caused by reason of violation of a fundamental right is
unable to approach the court, any member of the public acting bona fide can move
the court for relief under  Article 32 or Article 226
24. Indian Express Newspaper vs Union of India Case - Freedom of PRess under
freedom of speech and expression given in Article 19(1)a of Indian Constitution
25. Bijoe Emmanuel vs State of Kerala Case - Whether forcing the children to sing the
national anthem violated their fundamental right to religion. Right to silence is part of
fundamental right under Article 19 in Freedom of Speech and Expression
26. Mohamad Ahmad Khan vs Shah Bano Begum Case - Providing Maintenance to a
divorced Muslim Woman
27. M C Mehta vs Union of India Case - Responsibility of industries in an accident,
compensation, scope and ambit of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India
under Article 32
28. Dr. D C Wadhwa vs State of Bihar Case - Re Promulgation of Ordinances in the
Bihar to bypass the state legislature.
29. Kehar Singh vs Union of India Case - Pardoning power of the President of India
under Indian Constitution
30. Mohini Jain vs State of Karnataka Case - Right to Education related judgment
31. Indira Sawhney vs Union of India Case - Also known as Mandal Commission
Case. Landmark Case on Reservation of other backward classes. 
32. Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillu Case - When anti defection provisions were added in
the Indian Constitution these were challenged through this case. A Leading Case on
Anti Defection Law.
33. Unni Krishnan vs State of Andhra Pradesh - This case is also related to Right to
Education
34. Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association vs Union of India Case - This
case was about appointment of judges to Supreme Court of India and in High Courts
in India. Also famous as Second Judges Case. 
35. S R Bommai vs Union of India - Proclamation of Emergency under Article 356 of
Indian Constitution, Secularism.
36. Union of India vs Association for Democratic Reforms - Right to know about
public functionaries and candidates for office. Article 19 of Indian Constitution under
fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression also include right to know
about the candidates contesting for the public offices. 
37. T M A Pai Foundation vs State of Karnataka - Rights of Minority Educational
Institutions
38. Samantha vs State of Andhra Pradesh - Granting of mining licenses in the
scheduled area to non tribals 
39. Vineet Narain vs Union of India - Curbing political influence in the functioning of
CBI / Central Bureau of Investigation
40. Bodhisattwa Gautam vs Subhra Chakraborty - Whether rape is violative of Right
to Life under Article 21 of Indian Constitution
41. Sarla Mudgal vs Union of India - Principles against the practice of solemnizing
second marriage by conversion to islam, with first marriage not being dissolved 
42. People's Union for Civil Liberties vs Union of India - Right to Food
43. R Rajagopal vs State of Tamil Nadu - Freedom of Speech and expression - Right
to publish autobiography
44. In Re Special Reference Case of 1998 - Also known as Third Judges Case -
Appointment of Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts in India
45. T N Godavarman Thirumulkpad vs Union of India - Forest Conservation. A
leading case on Environmental law and about writ of continuous mandamus.
46. L Chandra Kumar vs Union of India - Power of High Courts and Supreme Court to
review the legislative action
47. Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan - Sexual Harassment at the workplace, In this case
Supreme Court of India laid down guidelines known as Vishaka Guidelines for
protection of women against sexual harassment at workplaces for the time being
there is no such law enacted by legislature.
48. Ashok Kumar Thakur vs Union of India - Reservations to OBC in central
educational institutions
49. Kuldip Nayar vs Union of India - Requirement of domicile in the state concerned
for getting elected to the council of states / Rajya Sabha ; Principle of Federalism is
basic structure of the Indian Constitution
50. M Nagaraj vs Union of India - Reservation in Promotions for Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribe employees
51. People's Union of Civil Liberties vs Union of India - Right of the Voters to know 
about the candidates contesting the election
52. I R Coelho vs State of Tamil Nadu - Interpretation of the doctrine of basic structure
of the Constitution of India. 9th Schedule is not immune from the judicial review.
53. John Vallamattom vs Union of India - Section 118 of the Indian Succession Act,
Advocated a common civil code / uniform civil code for the cause of national
integration
54. Jaya Bachchan vs Union of India - Disqualification on the ground of Office of Profit
55. P A Inamdar vs State of Maharashtra - Reservation policy on minority and non
minority unaided private colleges including professional colleges
56. Prakash Singh vs Union of India - This case is about the Police Reforms in India
57. Aruna Ramchandra Shaunbaug vs Union of India - Recognition of passive
euthnasia by Supreme Court. Permitted withdrawl of life sustaining treatment from
patients not in position to make an informed decision, only after the report of medical
board constituted by High Courts in respective jurisdiction.
58. Pramati Educational and Cultural Trust vs Union of India - Constitutional Validity
of Right to Education Act
59. Gian Sing vs State of Punjab - Settlements and Quashing of Criminal Proceedings
under Section 482 of CRPC
60. Subramaniam Swamy vs Union of India - Constitutionality of the criminal offence
of defamation under Indian Penal Code
61. Medha Kotwal Lele vs Union of India - Court repeated the Vishaka Guidelines and
stressed additional measures for their enforcement
62. Shabnam Hasmi vs Union of India - Whether the right to adopt and to be adopted
is a fundamental right under part 3 of Indian Constitution
63. Lily Thomas vs Union of India - Disqualifications for membership of parliament and
state legislatures of convicted of any offense and sentenced to imprisonment for not
less than two years. Decriminalization of Politics in India Case
64. Suresh Kumar Koushal vs Naz Foundation - Constitutional Validity of  Section
377 of Indian Penal Code which criminalized the homosexuality
65. Government of NCT of Delhi vs Union of India - Power tussle between Delhi
Government and LT. Governor i.e. Central Government
66. TSR Subramanian vs Union of India - Professionalanizing the bureaucracy,
promoting efficiency and good governance  
67. Shreya Singhal vs Union of India - Freedom of Speech and Expression Case in
digital or internet age. Constitutionality of Section 66A of IT Act 2000 was challenged
and Supreme Court in its judgment held it unconstitutional
68. Tehseen S Poonawalla vs Union of India - Guidelines against mob lynching
69. Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association vs Union of India - Fourth
Judges Case - In this case constitutional validity of 99th Constitutional amendment
and National Judicial Appointment Commission Act / NJAC Act was challenged.
Supreme Court in its verdict held it unconstitutional as it violated the basic structure
of Indian Constitution i.e. Independence of Judiciary.
70. Common Cause (A Registered Society) vs Union of India - Whether the right to
die with dignity is a fundamental right
71. Rajbala vs State of Haryana - Right to Vote and Contest Election Case
72. Rajesh Sharama vs State of Uttar Pradesh - Directions to prevent misuse of
Section 498A of the IPC / Indian Penal Code
73. Shayara Bano vs Union of India -Triple Talaq / Triple Talak or Talaq a bidat was
held unconstitutional
74. Independent Thought vs Union of India -The exception to the marital rape;
Whether sex with minor wife is rape.... guidelines laid down
75. Abhiram Singh vs C D Commachen - Whether asking for votes in elections in the
name of religion, caste or community will amount to corrupt practice?
76. Justice K S Puttaswamy (Retd) vs Union of India -Whether the right to privacy is
a fundamental right? In this case a 9 judge constitution bench of Supreme court
unanimously held Right to Privacy as a Fundamental rights as per part 3 of
Constitution of India
77. Krishna Kumar Singh vs State of Bihar - Re Promulgation of ordinances against
the spirit of the constitutionalism/ Fraud on constitution
78. Wildlife First vs Union of India - Implementation of Forest Rights Act of 2006
79. Dr. Subhash Kashinath Majahan vs State of Maharashtra - Directions to prevent
misuse of SC / ST Act
80. B K Pavitra vs Union of India - Reservations in Promotions for SC / ST and issue
of seniority
81. Shafin Jahan vs Asokan KM - Love Jihad Case - Right of a girl to marry a person
of her own choice
82. Swapnil Tripathi vs Supreme Court of India - Live Streaming or Video Recording
of Court Proceeding in cases of Public Interest
83. Indian Young Lawyers Association vs State of Kerala - Entry of women aged
between 10 to 50  to the Sabrimala Temple in Kerala
84. Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay vs Union of India - Legislators practicing as advocates
should be barred from practicing 
85. Joseph Shine vs Union of India - Section 497 of Indian Penal Code was read
down which criminalized adultery
86. Shakti Vahini vs Union of India -Honour Killing Case
87. Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India - Section 377 of IPC / Indian Penal Code,
which criminalizes the homosexuality / consensual sexual relations was read down
88. Justice K S Puttaswamy Retd vs Union of India II - The validity of Aadhaar Act 
89. Jarnail Singh vs Lachhmi Narain Gupta - Reservation in Promotion for the SC /
ST Community
90. M Ismail Faruqui vs Union of India - Ram Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid Land Title
Case