UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 10 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Supreme Court Original Jurisdiction
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2012
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectPolity
- TopicHigher Judiciary (SC and HC)
- DifficultyEasy
- TypeStatement
Which of the following are included in the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?
1. A dispute between the Government of India and one or more States.
2. A dispute regarding elections to either House of Parliament or State Legislature.
3. A dispute between the Government of India and a Union Territory.
4. A dispute between two or more States.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Show answer
Answer: C. 1 and 4
Verdict
Correct Answer: 1 and 4 only
Statements 1 and 4 are correct because Article 131 covers Centre-State and State-State legal disputes, but not ordinary election disputes or disputes involving Union Territories.
Analysis
Article 131 gives the Supreme Court exclusive original jurisdiction in certain federal disputes. This means such disputes can be directly filed only in the Supreme Court.
Statement by statement
1. Dispute between the Government of India and one or more States — Correct
This is covered under Article 131.
The Supreme Court has exclusive original jurisdiction when a legal dispute arises between the Union and one or more States.
2. Dispute regarding elections to either House of Parliament or State Legislature — Incorrect
Election disputes relating to Parliament and State Legislatures are first heard by the High Court through election petitions.
The Supreme Court hears such matters only in appeal. Do not confuse this with disputes relating to the election of the President and Vice-President, which are decided by the Supreme Court.
3. Dispute between the Government of India and a Union Territory — Incorrect
Article 131 covers disputes involving the Union and States, or between States.
Union Territories are not treated as States for the purpose of Article 131.
4. Dispute between two or more States — Correct
A dispute between two or more States is directly covered under Article 131.
The Supreme Court acts as the exclusive forum for such federal legal disputes.
Extra UPSC info
* Article 131 deals with exclusive original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
* The dispute must involve a question of law or fact on which a legal right depends.
* Article 131 does not cover purely political disputes.
* Inter-State water disputes may be excluded from Supreme Court jurisdiction by Parliament under Article 262.
* Article 32 gives the Supreme Court original but not exclusive jurisdiction for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
* High Courts also protect Fundamental Rights under Article 226.