📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Supreme Court (Part V, Art. 124–147)
- Inaugurated 28 Jan 1950; first CJI H.J. Kania. Strength: originally 8 (CJI + 7); now 34 (CJI + 33, 2019 Act) — increased by Parliament by law.
- Appointment: by the President via the collegium (CJI + 4 senior-most judges) — Second Judges case (1993), Third (1998); NJAC (99th Amendment) struck down in 2015.
- Qualification: citizen + HC judge 5 yrs, or HC advocate 10 yrs, or distinguished jurist in the President's opinion. Retirement 65 (HC: 62).
- Oath by the President; removal for "proved misbehaviour or incapacity" — special majority in each House, then President's order (Judges Inquiry Act 1968). No SC judge removed so far (V. Ramaswami 1993 — motion failed).
- Salaries charged on the Consolidated Fund; no practice in any Indian court after retirement.
- Chief Justice (Oct 2026): Justice Surya Kant — 53rd CJI, since 24 Nov 2025 (retires 9 Feb 2027).
| Jurisdiction | Article | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Original | 131 | Centre-state / inter-state disputes (exclusive) |
| Writ | 32 | Enforcement of FRs |
| Appellate | 132–134, 136 | Constitutional, civil, criminal appeals; Special Leave Petition (136) |
| Advisory | 143 | Opinion to President (not binding) |
| Court of record | 129 | Judgments as evidence; power to punish contempt |
| Review | 137 | Review own judgment; curative petition (Rupa Hurra 2002) |
- Judicial review: from the USA (Marbury v. Madison 1803); basis Art. 13, 32, 226. PIL: Justices P.N. Bhagwati and V.R. Krishna Iyer; S.P. Gupta (1981).
- SC sits in Delhi; the CJI may, with the President's approval, fix other places (Art. 130).
📌 2. High Courts & Subordinate Courts
- Part VI, Art. 214–231; HC for each state (Art. 214); common HC for two or more states (Art. 231) — 25 High Courts in all.
- Oldest: Calcutta, Bombay, Madras (1862); widest jurisdiction: Gauhati (Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal); newest: Andhra Pradesh (Amaravati, 2019).
- HC judges: appointed by the President consulting the CJI and Governor; oath by the Governor; retire at 62; removal like SC judges. Transfer: Art. 222.
- Art. 226: writs — FRs and "any other purpose" (wider than SC); Art. 227: superintendence over subordinate courts.
- District judges: appointed by the Governor in consultation with the HC (Art. 233). Lok Adalat — statutory under the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987; NALSA (patron-in-chief: CJI).
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- SC judge oath = President; HC judge oath = Governor; but HC judges are appointed and removed by the President.
- Parliament increases SC strength by ordinary law; the President determines HC strength.
📌 3. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. When was the Supreme Court inaugurated? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
On 28 Jan 1950; the Federal Court was set up in 1937.
On 28 Jan 1950; the Federal Court was set up in 1937.
Q2. Who was the first Chief Justice of India? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Harilal J. Kania.
Harilal J. Kania.
Q3. At what age do Supreme Court judges retire? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
SC 65, HC 62.
SC 65, HC 62.
Q4. What is the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court (including CJI) at present? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
By the 2019 Act, CJI + 33 = 34.
By the 2019 Act, CJI + 33 = 34.
Q5. The SC's jurisdiction over Centre-state disputes is in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Art. 131 — original jurisdiction.
Art. 131 — original jurisdiction.
Q6. Special Leave Petition is under which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 136 — SC may grant leave to appeal from any court/tribunal (except military).
Art. 136 — SC may grant leave to appeal from any court/tribunal (except military).
Q7. The advisory jurisdiction of the SC is in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Art. 143 — opinion not binding.
Art. 143 — opinion not binding.
Q8. The SC is a "court of record" under which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Art. 129 (Art. 215 for HCs).
Art. 129 (Art. 215 for HCs).
Q9. Judicial review is borrowed from: Practice
Correct answer: (D)
USA — Marbury v. Madison (1803).
USA — Marbury v. Madison (1803).
Q10. Who is regarded as the pioneer of PIL in India? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Bhagwati and Krishna Iyer promoted PIL.
Bhagwati and Krishna Iyer promoted PIL.
Q11. The collegium system originated from which case? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The Second Judges case (1993) created it; the Third (1998) made it five-member.
The Second Judges case (1993) created it; the Third (1998) made it five-member.
Q12. In which year was the NJAC declared unconstitutional? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
In October 2015 by a 4:1 majority.
In October 2015 by a 4:1 majority.
Q13. Who administers the oath to a High Court judge? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The Governor (or a person appointed by him).
The Governor (or a person appointed by him).
Q14. Which High Court has jurisdiction over the most states? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Gauhati HC — Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh.
Gauhati HC — Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh.
Q15. How many High Courts are there in India? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
25 after the Andhra Pradesh HC in 2019.
25 after the Andhra Pradesh HC in 2019.
Q16. HC superintendence over subordinate courts is in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 227.
Art. 227.
Q17. The concept of curative petition came from which case? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Rupa Hurra v. Ashok Hurra (2002).
Rupa Hurra v. Ashok Hurra (2002).
Q18. What are the grounds for removing a SC judge? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 124(4) — proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
Art. 124(4) — proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
Q19. Who is the Chief Justice of India in October 2026? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Surya Kant became the 53rd CJI on 24 Nov 2025.
Surya Kant became the 53rd CJI on 24 Nov 2025.
Q20. Lok Adalats got statutory status under which Act? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The 1987 Act (in force from 1995).
The 1987 Act (in force from 1995).