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Supreme Court of India

Judiciary

Article 124 · Article 131 · Article 136 · Article 141 · Article 142

De jure
85
De facto
75
Volatility
20
Legitimacy
75

In theory

Apex court with original, appellate, and advisory jurisdiction; final interpreter of the Constitution with power of judicial review.

In practice

Widely regarded as retaining strong independence and public legitimacy relative to other organs, though criticized over pendency of cases, the opacity of the judge-appointment (collegium) process, and inconsistency in exercising judicial review against the executive on politically sensitive matters.

Checks and balances

This office checks

→ Prime Minister of India Can strike down executive action or subordinate legislation as unconstitutional or ultra vires.→ Prime Minister of India Can strike down executive action or subordinate legislation as unconstitutional or ultra vires.

Checked by

← President of India Appoints judges of the Supreme Court (on the binding recommendation of the collegium).← President of India Appoints judges of the Supreme Court (on the binding recommendation of the collegium).

Sources

  • Laxmikanth, Indian Polity, Ch. on the Supreme Court -- collegium system
  • Laxmikanth, Indian Polity, Ch. on the Supreme Court -- collegium system