The Complete Guide to the 86 Leading Cases for AOR Exam Paper IV

The Complete Guide to the 86 Leading Cases for AOR Exam Paper IV

By Vikas Pandey, Advocate, Supreme Court of India

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Why the 86 Leading Cases Matter
2. What’s New in 2025: Expanded List of 86 Cases
3. Complete List of 86 Leading Cases with Citations
4. Subject-Wise Categorization for Easier Study
5. How to Study the Leading Cases Effectively
6. Short Notes on Key Cases
7. High-Frequency Cases Asked in the Exam
8. Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction: Why the 86 Leading Cases Matter

The Advocate-on-Record (AOR) Examination conducted by the Supreme Court of India is the ultimate gateway for lawyers aspiring to practice at the highest level.

Among its four rigorous papers, Paper IV – Leading Cases stands out as the most content-intensive and foundational. It is here that the Supreme Court tests not just your memory, but your understanding of the very bedrock of Indian jurisprudence .

For the 2025 examination, the Supreme Court has significantly expanded the prescribed list from 64 to 86 leading cases . This 34% increase reflects the Court’s intent to ensure that future Advocates-on-Record are well-versed not only in the constitutional pillars of Indian law but also in recent landmark judgments that continue to shape our legal landscape.

These 86 cases are not merely a list to be memorized—they represent the evolution of Indian constitutional, criminal, civil, and administrative law.

Mastering them is essential not just for passing the exam, but for your entire career as a Supreme Court practitioner .

What’s New in 2025: Expanded List of 86 Cases

The Supreme Court has issued an official notification confirming that 22 new cases have been added to the list of leading cases for the AOR Examination. This expansion includes important recent decisions from 2018 to 2024, covering contemporary constitutional developments.

Key Highlights of the Expansion:

Total Cases: Increased from 64 to 86

New Additions: 22 landmark judgments, including recent cases on Article 370, electoral bonds, and other significant constitutional issues

Exam Format: Printed and bound copies of headnotes for these cases will be provided in the examination hall and must be returned after the paper

Important Note for Candidates:

The newly added cases are actively tested in the examination. The Board of Examiners often designs questions specifically around recent additions to ensure candidates stay current with evolving jurisprudence. Do not make the mistake of thinking these new cases might not appear in the first year of inclusion—past patterns show the opposite.

Complete List of 86 Leading Cases (Serial Number Wise)

Subject-Wise Categorization

Constitutional Law – Basic Structure & Fundamental Rights

Fundamental Rights – Article 21 & Personal Liberty

Reservation & Social Justice

Criminal Law & Procedure

Women’s Rights & Social Reform

LGBTQ+ Rights

Commercial Law, Arbitration & IBC

Election Law & Anti-Defection

Environmental Law

Taxation & Economic Legislation

Right to Information & Transparency

Property & Land Acquisition

Professional Ethics & Judiciary

Recent Constitutional Developments (2022-2024)

Key Statistics

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Important Notes for Candidates

1. SCR Citations are Preferred: In the AOR Examination, citing cases with their SCR (Supreme Court Reports) references is considered the gold standard. Memorize the SCR citations for landmark cases.
2. Headnotes Provided in Exam: Printed and bound copies of headnotes for these 86 cases will be provided in the examination hall and must be returned after the paper.
3. New Cases are Actively Tested: The newly added cases (S. Nos. 65-86) are likely to feature prominently in the examination. Pay special attention to recent constitutional developments.
4. Subject-Wise Study Recommended: Group cases by subject matter for better retention and cross-referencing.
5. Focus on Ratio Decidendi: Examiners test your understanding of the legal principle established, not merely the facts of the case.

Subject-Wise Categorization for Easier Study

To make your preparation more effective, I recommend grouping these cases by legal subject rather than studying them chronologically . Here’s a suggested categorization:

Constitutional Law (Basic Structure & Judicial Review)

• Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
• Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India
• Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain (if included)
• I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu

Fundamental Rights & Personal Liberty

• Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India
• Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (Privacy)
• D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal
• Selvi v. State of Karnataka (Narco-analysis)

Reservation & Social Justice

• Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (Mandal Case)
• M. Nagaraj v. Union of India (if included)
• Jarnail Singh v. Lachhmi Narain Gupta

Federalism & Centre-State Relations

• S.R. Bommai v. Union of India
• State of West Bengal v. Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights

Criminal Law & Procedure

• Sharad Birdhi Chand Sarda v. State of Maharashtra
• Lalita Kumari v. Govt. of U.P.
• Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar (if included)
• Mukesh v. State of NCT of Delhi (Nirbhaya)

Women’s Rights & Social Reform

• Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan
• Shayara Bano v. Union of India (Triple Talaq)
• Githa Hariharan v. RBI
• Joseph Shine v. Union of India (Adultery)

LGBTQ+ Rights

• Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India
• National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India (NALSA)

Commercial & Arbitration Law

• Swiss Ribbons Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India (IBC)
• Committee of Creditors of Essar Steel v. Satish Gupta
• SBP and Co. v. Patel Engineering
• Technip SA v. SMS Holding

Environmental Law

• Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India
• M.C. Mehta cases (if included)

How to Study the Leading Cases Effectively

Based on my experience guiding AOR aspirants, here is a proven methodology for mastering the 86 leading cases:

1. Create Case Briefs for Each Case

For every case, prepare a concise note covering :

• Case Name & Citation (both SCR and SCC)
• Key Facts (the factual background that led to the case)
• Legal Issue(s) (the core question before the Court)
• Decision & Ratio Decidendi (the binding legal principle)
• Significance (why this case matters in Indian jurisprudence)

2. Use the Subject-Wise Approach

Grouping cases by subject helps you cross-link principles and understand how different cases interrelate. For instance, understanding how Maneka Gandhi expanded Article 21 helps contextualize subsequent cases like D.K. Basu and Puttaswamy .

3. Focus on the Ratio, Not Just the Facts

Examiners test your understanding of the legal principle established by a case, not just its factual background. You should be able to:

State the principle of law from a given case

Apply that principle to a new factual scenario

Distinguish between two similar cases

4. Pay Attention to Official SCR Citations

In the AOR exam, citing cases with their SCR references is considered the gold standard. Memorize the SCR citation for landmark cases—this demonstrates your familiarity with official sources .

5. Practice Answer Writing

The Leading Cases paper requires written responses. Practice writing case briefs and analytical answers under timed conditions. This will help you structure your thoughts efficiently during the exam .

Short Notes on Key Cases

Here are concise notes on some of the most frequently tested cases:

Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala [1973] Suppl. SCR 1

Principle: Established the Basic Structure Doctrine—Parliament cannot alter the “basic structure” of the Constitution under Article 368.

Significance: The most important case in Indian constitutional history. It limits the amending power of Parliament and preserves the core ideals of the Constitution, including judicial review, federalism, secularism, and democracy .

Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India [1978] 2 SCR 621

Principle: Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty) cannot be taken away without a procedure that is fair, just, and reasonable. It read Articles 14, 19, and 21 together, creating a holistic approach to fundamental rights.

Significance: Revolutionized Indian jurisprudence by expanding Article 21 to include due process. This case forms the basis for countless subsequent judgments on personal liberty .

Indra Sawhney v. Union of India [1992] 2 Suppl. SCR 454

Principle: Upheld 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in central government jobs. Introduced the “creamy layer” concept and capped reservations at 50%.

Significance: The foundational judgment on OBC reservation policy that continues to shape affirmative action in India .

S.R. Bommai v. Union of India [1994] 2 SCR 644

Principle: The power of the President to impose President’s Rule under Article 356 is subject to judicial review. Secularism and federalism are part of the basic structure.

Significance: Curbed the arbitrary misuse of Article 356 and strengthened the federal structure of the Constitution .

Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan [1997] 3 Suppl. SCR 404

Principle: Laid down binding guidelines to prevent sexual harassment of women at the workplace, invoking international conventions and fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21.

Significance: A pioneering case in judicial activism that led to the enactment of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 .

D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal [1996] 10 Suppl. SCR 284

Principle: Issued 11 guidelines to prevent custodial torture and deaths, emphasizing the protection of Article 21 rights in custody.

Significance: Mandated accountability of police officials and established procedural safeguards for arrested persons .

I.R. Coelho v. State of Tamil Nadu [2007] 1 SCR 706

Principle: Laws placed in the Ninth Schedule after April 24, 1973 (the date of Kesavananda Bharati) are open to judicial review if they violate the Basic Structure.

Significance: Strengthened the Basic Structure doctrine and limited the protection offered by the Ninth Schedule .

Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India [2017] 10 SCR 569

Principle: Unanimously declared that the Right to Privacy is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

Significance: A landmark judgment that affects a wide range of issues from state surveillance to LGBTQ+ rights and data protection .

Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India [2018] 7 SCR 379

Principle: Decriminalized consensual homosexual acts between adults by striking down part of Section 377, IPC, as violative of Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21.

Significance: A historic victory for LGBTQ+ rights in India, affirming the dignity and identity of the community .

Shayara Bano v. Union of India [2017] 9 SCR 797

Principle: Declared the practice of instant triple talaq (talaq-e-biddat) unconstitutional and void as it violated Articles 14, 15, and 21.

Significance: A major reform for the rights of Muslim women, leading to the legislation of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019 .

Swiss Ribbons Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India [2019] 3 SCR 535

Principle: Upheld the constitutional validity of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) in its entirety.

Significance: Provided stability and certainty to the corporate insolvency resolution process in India, affirming the primacy of financial creditors .

High-Frequency Cases Asked in the Exam

Based on an analysis of previous year question papers, certain cases appear more frequently than others :

Constitutional Law (Most Frequent)

Kesavananda Bharati (Basic Structure)

Maneka Gandhi (Article 21 expansion)

Indra Sawhney (Reservation policy)

S.R. Bommai (Article 356)

Minerva Mills (Basic Structure reaffirmed)

Criminal Law

D.K. Basu (Custodial violence guidelines)

Sharad Birdhi Chand Sarda (Circumstantial evidence)

Lalita Kumari (Mandatory FIR registration)

Social Justice & Rights

Vishaka (Sexual harassment guidelines)

Navtej Singh Johar (Section 377 decriminalization)

Shayara Bano (Triple Talaq)

Puttaswamy (Right to Privacy)

Professional Ethics

Supreme Court AOR Association v. Union of India (NJAC/Collegium)

Bar Council of India v. A.K. Balaji (if included)

Commercial Law

Swiss Ribbons (IBC validity)

Essar Steel (IBC implementation)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the significance of the 86 leading cases in the AOR Exam?

These judgments reflect the evolution of Indian constitutional and criminal jurisprudence. They help assess a candidate’s ability to understand legal reasoning, precedent, and judicial interpretation. These cases are indispensable for Paper IV and also inform answers in Paper I and III.

Q2: Do I need to memorize all 86 cases?

You need to have a thorough understanding of all 86 cases, but you don’t need to memorize every word. Focus on:

The ratio decidendi (legal principle)

Key facts that establish the context

The SCR citation

How the case applies to practical scenarios

Q3: Are the headnotes provided in the exam?

Yes. During the examination, printed and bound copies of the headnotes for these cases will be provided to candidates in the exam hall. However, these must be returned after completion of the paper, and candidates are instructed not to mark or underline them .

Q4: Which cases are most frequently tested?

Constitutional law cases like Kesavananda Bharati, Maneka Gandhi, and Indra Sawhney are consistently tested. Criminal law cases like D.K. Basu and Sharad Birdhi Chand Sarda also appear frequently. The newly added cases for 2025 are likely to feature prominently.

Q5: How should I organize my study of these cases?

I recommend a subject-wise approach rather than chronological reading. Group cases by legal domain (Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Commercial Law, etc.) to better understand their interconnections and applications.

Q6: What question patterns appear in the Leading Cases paper?

Typical questions include:

“Identify the case from the following facts.”

“State the principle of law established in [case name].”

“Apply the principle of [case name] to this factual scenario.”

“Distinguish between [Case A] and [Case B]”

Q7: Are recent cases included in the 86?

Yes. The 2025 expansion includes important recent judgments up to 2024, including cases on Article 370, electoral bonds, and other contemporary constitutional developments.

Q8: How much time should I allocate to studying the 86 cases?

Given the expansion to 86 cases, I recommend allocating at least 2-3 months exclusively for Paper IV preparation. Study 2-3 cases per day, creating brief notes for each, and then revise subject-wise.

Conclusion

The 86 leading cases prescribed for the AOR Examination are more than just an academic requirement—they are a profound journey through India’s evolving legal landscape.

From the foundational Basic Structure doctrine in Kesavananda Bharati to the transformative Right to Privacy in Puttaswamy, from criminal jurisprudence in D.K. Basu to social reform in Navtej Singh Johar, these cases represent the collective wisdom of India’s highest judiciary.

Mastering these cases is not just about passing an exam—it is about joining the elite legal discourse that shapes justice in India. As you prepare for Paper IV, remember that each case you study adds to your professional arsenal, equipping you to argue effectively before the Supreme Court of India.

For more resources, guidance, and updates on the AOR Exam, visit my website at www.vikaspandey.co.in. I wish you the very best in your preparation.

Vikas Pandey
Advocate, Supreme Court of India
www.vikaspandey.co.in

Disclaimer: This article is based on information available from official Supreme Court notifications and reliable sources. Candidates are advised to verify the complete and updated list of 86 leading cases from the official Supreme Court of India website.