The Union Judiciary: Supreme Court Essentials
Key facts about the Supreme Court's composition, independence, the collegium system, and its jurisdictions.
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Questions Covered in This Set
10 cards to master
What does 'single, integrated judiciary' mean in India?
One pyramid of courts — district courts at the base, 25 High Courts in the middle, and the Supreme Court at the apex — hearing both state and central law cases.
Which Articles establish the Supreme Court, and when did it begin work?
Articles 124–147 (Part V, Chapter IV); the Court began work on 28 January 1950, succeeding the Federal Court.
What is the sanctioned strength and retirement age of Supreme Court judges?
34 judges (CJI + 33); judges hold office until age 65.
How can a Supreme Court judge be removed?
Only by impeachment under Article 124(4) for 'proved misbehaviour or incapacity' — a motion passed in each House by a majority of total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting. No judge has ever been removed.
Name three guarantees of judicial independence.
Salaries charged on the Consolidated Fund; bar on discussing judges' conduct in Parliament (Art. 121); bar on post-retirement practice (Art. 124(7)); contempt power (Art. 129).
What is the collegium and who sits on it?
The judicial body that recommends appointments: the CJI plus the four senior-most judges for Supreme Court appointments (CJI plus two seniors for High Court appointments/transfers).
What did the Second and Third Judges Cases decide?
Second (1993): 'consultation' means 'concurrence', making the CJI's collective view binding. Third (1998): fixed the collegium's composition and mechanics.
What happened to the NJAC (99th Amendment)?
Struck down in SC Advocates-on-Record Association v. Union of India (2015) by a five-judge bench for violating judicial independence, part of the basic structure.
What is original jurisdiction under Article 131?
Exclusive power over federal disputes — Union v. State or State v. State, e.g. inter-state water or coal-acquisition disputes.
How does Article 32 differ from Article 226?
Article 32 allows direct approach to the Supreme Court only for fundamental rights violations and is itself a fundamental right; Article 226 gives High Courts wider writ power — rights plus 'any other purpose'.
