2. COMPOSITION OF
SUPREME COURT
The Supreme Court is headed by
the Chief Justice of Supreme Court
also called as Chief Justice of India.
He is assisted by 33 Supreme Court
Judges. ( If required, parliament can
increase the number of Supreme
Court judges to clear pending cases)
1 Chief Justice of India (CJI)
33 Supreme Court Judges
3. QUALIFICATION
Worked as a Judge of High Court for at least 5 years
Worked as an advocate in a High Court (one, two or more) for at least 10 years
In the opinion of the President, he should be a distinguished jurist (judge).
10 years HC advocate or 5 years HC Judge
4. APPOINTMENT OF SUPREME COURT JUDGES
Every judge of Supreme Court is appointed by the President in consultation with the Judges of
Supreme Court and High Courts along with the Council of Ministers.
In case of appointment of other 33 judges of Supreme Court , it is done by the President in
consultation with the Chief Justice of Supreme Court.
5. APPOINTMENT OF AD-HOC JUDGES OF SC
Chief Justice of India may appoint of a judge of High Court as an ad hoc Judge of SC for a specific
period as necessary.
Such appointments of ad hoc judges of SC, is done by the Chief Justice of India in consultation
with the President and Chief Justice of the High Court concerned.
Sometimes, retired judges of SC may also be called back again to act as ad hoc judges
6. TERM OF OFFICE OF SC JUDGE
A judge of SC can hold office until he attains (reaches) the age of 65 years
(In case of resignation, the SC judge needs to submit the letter to the President.)
7. POWERS AND JURISDICTION OF SC
It is the power that a court of law exercises to carry out judgments and enforce laws.
a) Original Jurisdiction
b) Appellate Jurisdiction
c) Advisory Jurisdiction
d) Revisory Jurisdiction
e) Judicial Review
8. ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
Original Jurisdiction means the power to handle those cases which cannot be moved in any other
court other than SC i.e. in the first instance.
These cases include:
a) Centre-State or State-State Disputes ( Centre-State, State- State, Centre-State v/s State, States
v/s States)
b) Protection of Fundamental Rights: In case if the Fundamental Rights of an individual are
violated, then such individual can directly approach the SC.
c) Transfer of Cases from One Lower Court to Another Lower Court in the cases of great
importance.
d) Interpretation of the Constitution: Cases related to Interpretation of the Constitution, are
exclusively handled by the SC.
9. APPELLATE JURISDICTION
Appellate Jurisdiction means the power to handle the cases on appeal against the judgement
delivered by any court in the country. (SC is the Court of Appeal which can reduce or change the
judgement passed by any lower courts in the country.)
These cases include:
a) Constitutional Cases: When HC is unable to handle, or wants SC to handle an important case,
then it sends such cases to SC with a certificate. In absence of a certificate, if required SC can
intervene and handle such special cases on appeal.
b) Civil Cases: important case with HC certificate, or without HC certificate on appeal.
c) Criminal Cases: important case with HC certificate, or without HC certificate on appeal.
10. ENFORCEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
n case if the Fundamental Rights of an individual are violated, then such individual can directly
approach the SC.
SC has power to issue writs like habeas corpus, mandamus, writ of prohibition, writ of certiorari &
quo- warranto for the enforcement of the Fundamental Rights.
11. WRIT
IT IS AN ORDER FROM A JUDICIAL AUTHORITY ASKING A PERSON TO PERFORM SOME ACT OR
STOP PERFORMING AN ACT. (IT IS AN ORDER ISSUED BY THE SC IN ORDER TO PROTECT
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF AN INDIVIDUAL)
Habeas Corpus
Mandamus
Writ of Prohibition
Writ of Certiorari
Quo- warranto
12. ADVISORY JURISDICTION
President may refer and send a case of special importance or regarding any law for consideration
to SC, this power of SC to handle such cases is called as Advisory Jurisdiction.
Cases regarding disputes of Pre-Constitution period are also handled under this power
13. REVISORY JURISDICTION
SC is empowered to review any judgement or order made by it with a view of removing any
mistake or error that might have crept in the judgement or order this power of SC is called as
Revisory Jurisdiction.
This is done because, SC is a court of record, its decisions has special importance and can’t be
questioned in any other court.
14. JUDICIAL REVIEW
SC is the interpreter of the Constitution and its decision is final.
It has the power to review laws passed by Union or State Legislatures, if the law is found against
the spirit and provisions of the Constitution, then SC can declare such law ‘ultra vires’ or ‘null and
void.’ This power is called as Judicial Review. Supreme Court
15. COURT OF RECORD
SC is a ‘Court of Record’ as its all judgements are recorded for evidence and testimony.
These judgements serve as ‘precedents’ for HCs and Subordinate courts, so that in case of doubts
they can refer to the records of SC and give a similar decision in a similar case.
(The SC records aren’t to be questioned when they are produced before any subordinate court. If
found, SC can punish such person for its contempt and no one can deny this right of SC. )
