With reference to the Constitution of India, consider the following statements : 1. No High Court shall have the jurisdiction to declare any central law to be constitutionally invalid. 2. An amendment to the Constitution of India cannot be called into question by the Supreme Court of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A
1 only
B
2 only
C
Both 1 and 2
D
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer
Explanation
Option (d) is correct because both statements are factually incorrect: High Courts have the power to declare central laws unconstitutional under Article 226, and the Supreme Court can strike down constitutional amendments if they violate the "Basic Structure" of the Constitution. Statement 1 is a common trap because the 42nd Amendment (1976) briefly stripped High Courts of this jurisdiction, but it was promptly restored by the 43rd Amendment (1977). The core concept being tested is **Judicial Review**, which the judiciary uses to maintain constitutional supremacy.
Indian JudiciaryJudicial Review and Constitutional AmendmentsHigh CourtCentral LawConstitutionally InvalidSupreme CourtConstitutional AmendmentJudicial ReviewBasic Structure Doctrine