Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
Article 131 — Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
provisions of this Constitution, the Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction in any dispute—
- (a) between the Government of India and one or more States; or
- (b) between the Government of India and any State or States on one side and one or more other States on the other; or
- (c) between two or more States, if and in so far as the dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends: Provided that the said jurisdiction shall not extend to a dispute arising out of any treaty, agreement, covenant, engagement, sanad or other similar instrument which, having been entered into or executed before the commencement of this Constitution, continues in operation after such commencement, or which provides that the said jurisdiction shall not extend to such a dispute.] 131A. Exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in regard to questions as to constitutional validity of Central laws.].—Omitted by the Constitution (Forty-third Amendment) Act, 1977, s. 4 (w.e.f. 13-4-1978).
Plain English Summary
Article 131 gives the Supreme Court the power to hear certain types of disputes that are very important, specifically those involving conflicts between the Central Government and States, or disputes between different States concerning legal rights. This means the Supreme Court has the first right to decide these specific high-level constitutional matters.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction (the first right to hear a case) in disputes between the Government of India and one or more States.
- It can also hear disputes between the Government of India and some States, and between two or more States if the issue concerns the existence or limits of a legal right.
- This power does not apply to disputes arising from pre-existing treaties or agreements that exclude this jurisdiction.
Why It Matters
This article ensures that major constitutional and federal disputes involving the central government and state governments are resolved at the highest level of the judiciary, maintaining the balance of power in the Indian federal structure.
Landmark Judgements
No major landmark judgements.