Anand Classes presents detailed Judiciary – Supreme Court of India (Article 124) Polity Notes for NDA, covering the composition, powers, functions, and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. These notes also include constitutional provisions, landmark judgments, exam-oriented MCQs, and FAQs to help aspirants prepare effectively for NDA GAT. Click the print button to download study material and notes.
The Judiciary in India – NDA General Ability Test Polity Notes
The Judiciary is one of the most vital organs of the Indian democratic structure. It safeguards the Constitution of India, protects Fundamental Rights, and ensures justice.
- India has an integrated judicial system (inspired by the Government of India Act, 1935).
- The Constitution is the supreme law of the country.
- Judicial powers are mainly in Part V (Union) and Part VI (States).
- The Supreme Court of India is at the top, followed by High Courts, District Courts, and Subordinate Courts.
- The Judiciary is independent of the Executive and Legislature.
Supreme Court of India – NDA GAT Polity Study Material
- The Supreme Court is the highest court of justice in India.
- Composition: 1 Chief Justice of India (CJI) + up to 30 judges (earlier 25, increased by amendment).
- Judges hold office until the age of 65 years.
Qualifications of Supreme Court Judges
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Must have been a judge of a High Court for at least 5 years, OR
- Must have been a practicing advocate in a High Court for at least 10 years, OR
- Must be an eminent jurist.
Functions of the Supreme Court
- Exercises judicial review to uphold the Constitution.
- Hears appeals in civil and criminal cases from High Courts.
- Resolves disputes between Union and States or between States.
- Issues writs for enforcement of Fundamental Rights (Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Quo Warranto, Certiorari).
- Acts as a Court of Record (its judgments serve as precedents).
- Has Advisory Jurisdiction when the President seeks advice under Article 143.
Removal of a Judge
- Judges can be removed only by the President, following an address by both Houses of Parliament.
- This requires:
- Majority of total membership, AND
- Two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
- Grounds: Proved misbehavior or incapacity.
- After retirement, a Supreme Court judge cannot practice in any court of India.
Salary and Independence of Judges
- Salaries are drawn from the Consolidated Fund of India.
- Salaries cannot be reduced (except during a Financial Emergency).
- Chief Justice of India salary: ₹1,00,000 (subject to revision).
- Independence is maintained by:
- No criticism of judicial decisions.
- No discussion of judges’ conduct in Parliament, except in removal cases.
- Appointment of CJI based on seniority.
Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
- Original Jurisdiction
- Disputes between Union and States.
- Disputes between States.
- Example: Kaveri River water dispute.
- Appellate Jurisdiction
- Appeals in civil, criminal, and constitutional matters from High Courts.
- Advisory Jurisdiction
- The President can seek the opinion of the Supreme Court under Article 143.
FAQs on Judiciary (NDA Exam Oriented) for SSB Preparation
Q1. What is meant by an integrated judicial system in India?
Answer: It means there is a single unified judiciary with the Supreme Court at the top, followed by High Courts and subordinate courts. This ensures uniform interpretation of laws across the nation. Important in UPSC NDA polity notes preparation and Anand Classes NDA study material pdf.
Q2. What is the retirement age of Supreme Court judges?
Answer: Judges of the Supreme Court retire at 65 years, while High Court judges retire at 62 years. Such fact-based questions are often asked in NDA polity MCQs and UPSC NDA study material pdf.
Q3. Who appoints the Chief Justice of India?
Answer: The President of India appoints the CJI. By convention, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court is chosen. This ensures judicial independence, a topic emphasized in Anand Classes UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.
Q4. Can a retired Supreme Court judge practice law in Indian courts?
Answer: No. Retired judges of the Supreme Court cannot practice in any court of law in India. However, they may serve on commissions or tribunals. This is often tested in UPSC NDA exam polity notes.
Q5. What is the procedure to remove a judge of the Supreme Court?
Answer: A judge is removed only through impeachment:
- By both Houses of Parliament,
- Supported by special majority (2/3 present and voting + majority of total membership),
- Grounds: Proved misbehavior or incapacity.
This ensures judicial independence, an important topic in NDA polity preparation and Anand Classes NDA notes download.
NDA MCQs on Judiciary
Q1. Which is the highest judicial authority in India?
(a) High Court
(b) District Court
(c) Supreme Court
(d) Lok Adalat
Answer: (c) Supreme Court
Explanation: The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial body, guardian of the Constitution, and final interpreter of law. This is a direct NDA polity fact.
Q2. Who appoints the Chief Justice of India?
(a) Prime Minister
(b) President of India
(c) Cabinet Committee
(d) Supreme Court Collegium
Answer: (b) President of India
Explanation: The President appoints the Chief Justice of India. Conventionally, the senior-most judge is appointed. This ensures continuity and independence.
Q3. What is the retirement age of Supreme Court judges?
(a) 60 years
(b) 62 years
(c) 65 years
(d) 70 years
Answer: (c) 65 years
Explanation: Judges of the Supreme Court retire at 65, while High Court judges retire at 62. NDA exams often test this difference.
Q4. How many judges (including Chief Justice) can the Supreme Court of India have?
(a) 25
(b) 31
(c) 34
(d) 40
Answer: (c) 34
Explanation: After the 2019 amendment, the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 34 judges (1 CJI + 33 judges). Earlier it was 31.
Q5. The salaries of Supreme Court judges are charged on:
(a) Contingency Fund of India
(b) Public Account of India
(c) Consolidated Fund of India
(d) Reserve Bank of India
Answer: (c) Consolidated Fund of India
Explanation: Judges’ salaries are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, ensuring financial independence of the judiciary.
Q6. A Judge of Supreme Court can be removed by:
(a) Chief Justice of India
(b) Prime Minister of India
(c) President after Parliament’s approval
(d) Governor of any State
Answer: (c) President after Parliament’s approval
Explanation: Judges are removed only by President’s order after special majority in both Houses of Parliament, on grounds of proved misbehavior or incapacity.
Q7. The Supreme Court of India is a:
(a) Statutory Body
(b) Advisory Body
(c) Constitutional Body
(d) Executive Body
Answer: (c) Constitutional Body
Explanation: The Supreme Court is established under the Constitution of India and its powers are defined in Part V.
Q8. Which Article of the Constitution deals with National Emergency?
(a) Article 352
(b) Article 356
(c) Article 360
(d) Article 368
Answer: (a) Article 352
Explanation: Article 352 empowers the President to declare a National Emergency. This is often linked with judiciary’s review power.
Q9. Which of the following writs is known as the “great writ of liberty”?
(a) Mandamus
(b) Habeas Corpus
(c) Certiorari
(d) Quo Warranto
Answer: (b) Habeas Corpus
Explanation: Habeas Corpus protects individual liberty by ordering release from unlawful detention. NDA often asks this fact.
Q10. The Chief Justice of India is appointed based on:
(a) Seniority convention
(b) Election by judges
(c) Approval of Parliament
(d) Recommendation of Prime Minister
Answer: (a) Seniority convention
Explanation: By convention, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court is appointed as CJI by the President.
Q11. Which of the following disputes comes under the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?
(a) Criminal appeals
(b) Civil appeals from High Courts
(c) Disputes between States
(d) Election petitions
Answer: (c) Disputes between States
Explanation: The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in disputes between Union and States or among States (e.g., river water disputes).
Q12. Who can practice in the Supreme Court after retirement?
(a) Any High Court Judge
(b) Retired Supreme Court Judge
(c) Chief Justice of India
(d) None of the above
Answer: (d) None of the above
Explanation: Retired Supreme Court judges cannot practice in any Indian court. This rule ensures impartiality and integrity.
Q13. Who decides whether a bill is a Money Bill?
(a) President of India
(b) Prime Minister
(c) Speaker of Lok Sabha
(d) Chief Justice of India
Answer: (c) Speaker of Lok Sabha
Explanation: Only the Speaker of the Lok Sabha can certify a bill as a Money Bill, and the decision is final. Judiciary cannot review it (as per Article 110).
Q14. The Supreme Court can review its own judgment under which Article?
(a) Article 136
(b) Article 137
(c) Article 141
(d) Article 145
Answer: (b) Article 137
Explanation: Under Article 137, the Supreme Court has the power to review its own judgments, an important aspect of judicial review.
Q15. The first woman judge of the Supreme Court of India was:
(a) Justice Fathima Beevi
(b) Justice Ruma Pal
(c) Justice Sujata Manohar
(d) Justice Indu Malhotra
Answer: (a) Justice Fathima Beevi
Explanation: Justice Fathima Beevi became the first woman judge of the Supreme Court in 1989. This fact-based question often appears in NDA GK.
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