What is Supreme Court of India?
Historical Background
Key Points
10 points- 1.
Composition: Currently comprises a Chief Justice of India (CJI) and 33 other judges. Parliament has the power to increase this number.
- 2.
Appointment of Judges: Judges are appointed by the President after consultation with such judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts as deemed necessary. The Collegium system, evolved through judicial pronouncements, plays a crucial role in recommending appointments.
- 3.
Qualifications: Must be a citizen of India, a High Court judge for at least 5 years, or an advocate of a High Court for at least 10 years, or a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President.
- 4.
Tenure and Removal: Judges hold office until attaining the age of 65 years. They can be removed by the President only on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity, through a special parliamentary procedure (impeachment-like process).
- 5.
Original Jurisdiction (Art. 131): Exclusive power to hear disputes between the Union and one or more States, or between two or more States.
- 6.
Writ Jurisdiction (Art. 32): Power to issue writs (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo Warranto) for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights, making it a protector and guarantor of fundamental rights.
- 7.
Appellate Jurisdiction (Art. 132-136): Hears appeals from High Courts in constitutional, civil, and criminal matters, and by special leave petition.
- 8.
Advisory Jurisdiction (Art. 143): The President can seek the Supreme Court's opinion on questions of law or fact of public importance.
- 9.
Judicial Review: Power to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments and executive orders of both the Central and State governments (derived from Articles 13, 32, 136, 141, 142).
- 10.
Court of Record (Art. 129): Its proceedings and judgments are recorded for perpetual memory and testimony, and it has the power to punish for contempt of itself.
Visual Insights
Supreme Court of India: Powers and Functions
Mind map illustrating the key powers and functions of the Supreme Court of India, including its jurisdiction, role as guardian of the Constitution, and recent developments.
Supreme Court of India
- ●Jurisdiction
- ●Guardian of the Constitution
- ●Recent Developments
- ●Constitutional Articles
Recent Developments
4 developmentsIncreased use of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) to address social justice, environmental protection, and human rights issues, expanding its role as a judicial activist.
Ongoing debates and reforms regarding the Collegium system for judicial appointments, including past attempts to introduce the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC).
Landmark judgments on fundamental rights, secularism, privacy, and gender justice (e.g., Sabarimala verdict, decriminalization of adultery, Right to Privacy, permanent commission for women in armed forces).
Efforts to enhance judicial efficiency, reduce case pendency, and promote digital transformation in the judiciary.