The Judiciary (Supreme Court, High Courts, and judicial independence)

The Supreme Court is the highest court of India. Remember it at the top of the judiciary for exams.

The High Court is the highest court at the state level. It supervises subordinate courts in the state, including district courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court for the whole of India, not a state-level court. Exam tip: Remember—High Court for a state; Supreme Court for the country.

The judiciary settles disputes and delivers justice. Link judiciary with justice for exams.

Judicial independence means that courts give impartial decisions on the basis of law and evidence, without being influenced by the government, political parties, powerful persons, or other external pressure. Therefore, option A is correct. Courts may interpret laws, but making laws is primarily the role of the legislature, so option D is not correct. Exam tip: Link an independent judiciary with impartiality and freedom from external pressure.

The Supreme Court of India is located in New Delhi and is the highest judicial institution in the country. Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata have High Courts, not the Supreme Court. Exam tip: Remember New Delhi as the seat of the Supreme Court.

Courts can examine laws and government actions based on the Constitution. Link this with protecting the Constitution.

In judicial review courts examine matters based on the Constitution. It is an important power of judiciary.

The judiciary can protect Fundamental Rights. Courts can be approached when rights are violated.

The Supreme Court can hear matters of national importance. It is the top judicial institution of the country.

A High Court generally functions for a state. In some cases, one High Court serves two or more states or Union Territories. Therefore, option A is correct. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction throughout India, whereas district courts function at the district level. Exam tip: Remember the hierarchy—District Court, High Court, Supreme Court.

A District Court delivers justice at the district level. It is linked with ordinary citizens' cases.

Independence from government keeps courts free from pressure. This makes fair justice possible.

Judges hear cases and give decisions in the Supreme Court. The word judge is linked with courts.

The Chief Justice of India is the head judge of the Supreme Court. Remember this important fact.

Through courts, the judiciary protects citizens’ fundamental rights and provides justice when laws are violated or injustice occurs. Making laws is the function of the legislature, while preparing the budget is linked to the executive. Exam tip: associate protection of rights and justice with the judiciary.

A person whose rights or interests are affected can approach court. This is a way to seek justice.

The judiciary is called the guardian of the Constitution because the Supreme Court and High Courts can examine whether laws and government actions are constitutional. If a law violates the Constitution, a court may declare it invalid. The legislature makes laws, but the judiciary has the final role in reviewing their constitutional validity. Exam tip: Link constitutional interpretation and judicial review with the judiciary.

In appeal a party asks a higher court to examine a decision. It is an important part of justice system.

In some cases appeal against a High Court decision can go to the Supreme Court. Link it with judicial hierarchy.

The judiciary gives decisions based on law and Constitution. This is the basis of fair justice.