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Governance & Society Cluster305 Verified Questions
High Courts & Subordinate Judiciary of India: Jurisdiction & Writs GK Questions & Answers
The Indian judiciary functions as an integrated hierarchical system, with High Courts positioned as the highest judicial authorities at the state level under Chapter V of Part VI (Articles 214 to 231). Under Article 217, High Court judges are appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the State Governor, and the Chief Justice of the respective High Court, guided by the Collegium system established through the Second (1993) and Third Judges (1998) cases.
High Courts exercise original, appellate, and supervisory jurisdiction. Under Article 226, High Courts possess expansive writ jurisdiction to issue directions, orders, or writs—including Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Quo Warranto, and Certiorari—not only for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights but also for 'any other purpose', rendering Article 226 wider in scope than Article 32. Under Article 227, High Courts maintain administrative and judicial superintendence over all subordinate courts and tribunals within their territorial limits. The subordinate judiciary, governed by Articles 233 to 237, is organized under District and Sessions Judges who adjudicate civil and criminal matters subject to High Court appellate oversight.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
Established under Article 214, with judges appointed by the President under Article 217 via the Judicial Collegium mechanism.
Article 226 confers expansive writ jurisdiction for enforcing Fundamental Rights as well as ordinary legal rights ('any other purpose').
Article 227 grants High Courts supervisory superintendence over all subordinate courts and statutory tribunals within their territorial jurisdiction.
High Courts function as Courts of Record under Article 215, possessing the power to punish for contempt of court.
Subordinate judiciary appointments (District Judges) are governed by Article 233 in consultation with the respective High Court.
Showing 25 Curated Questions305 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-LAW-00019
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Which is the oldest High Court established in India, formally inaugurated on 2 July 1862?
Verified Explanation
The High Court of Judicature at Fort William in Bengal (now Calcutta High Court) was established on 2 July 1862 under the High Courts Act, 1861, making it the oldest High Court in India.
2ID: GK-LAW-00021
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
What is the retirement age for a Judge of a High Court in India as prescribed under Article 217(1) of the Constitution?
Verified Explanation
Under Article 217(1) (amended by the 15th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1963), a Judge of a High Court holds office until attaining the age of sixty-two (62) years.
3ID: GK-LAW-00041
mediumJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Which High Court has territorial jurisdiction over the State of Maharashtra, State of Goa, and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu?
Verified Explanation
The Bombay High Court (with benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji) has territorial jurisdiction over Maharashtra, Goa, and the UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
4ID: GK-LAW-00042
mediumJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
The Gauhati High Court has territorial jurisdiction extending over which four North-Eastern States?
Verified Explanation
The Gauhati High Court has territorial jurisdiction over four states: Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh (with permanent benches at Kohima, Aizawl, and Itanagar).
5ID: GK-LAW-00063
hardJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Under Article 222(1) of the Constitution, who is empowered to transfer a Judge from one High Court to any other High Court after consultation with the Chief Justice of India?
Verified Explanation
Article 222(1) states that the President may, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India (through the Collegium), transfer a Judge from one High Court to any other High Court.
6ID: GK-LAW-00108
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Which High Court in India has the highest sanctioned judicial strength, with a total sanctioned capacity of 160 judges?
Verified Explanation
Allahabad High Court has the largest sanctioned judicial strength in India, with 160 judges (120 permanent judges and 40 additional judges).
7ID: GK-LAW-00109
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Which High Court exercises territorial jurisdiction over the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands via a permanent Circuit Bench at Port Blair?
Verified Explanation
Under the Calcutta High Court (Extension of Jurisdiction) Act, 1953, the Calcutta High Court has territorial jurisdiction over the UT of Andaman and Nicobar Islands through its Circuit Bench at Port Blair.
8ID: GK-LAW-00110
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Which High Court exercises territorial jurisdiction over the Union Territory of Lakshadweep?
Verified Explanation
Under the High Court of Kerala Act, 1956, the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam exercises territorial jurisdiction over the State of Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
9ID: GK-LAW-00111
mediumJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Which High Court exercises territorial jurisdiction over the Union Territory of Puducherry?
Verified Explanation
Under the Pondicherry (Administration) Act, 1962, the Madras High Court at Chennai exercises territorial jurisdiction over the Union Territory of Puducherry.
10ID: GK-LAW-00114
mediumJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, what extraordinary supervisory power is conferred upon every High Court?
Verified Explanation
Article 227 confers on every High Court administrative and judicial superintendence over all subordinate courts and tribunals functioning within the territories in relation to which it exercises jurisdiction.
11ID: GK-LAW-00119
hardJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Under Article 215 of the Constitution of India, what constitutional status and powers are expressly conferred upon every High Court in India?
Verified Explanation
Article 215 declares: 'Every High Court shall be a court of record and shall have all the powers of such a court including the power to punish for contempt of itself' (mirroring Article 129 for the Supreme Court).
12ID: GK-LAW-00123
hardJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Under Article 224A of the Constitution of India, who is empowered to request a retired High Court Judge to sit and act as a Judge of the High Court for that State?
Verified Explanation
Article 224A (Appointment of retired Judges at sittings of High Courts) allows the Chief Justice of a High Court for any State, with the previous consent of the President, to request any retired HC judge to sit and act as a judge.
13ID: GK-LAW-00129
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Under Article 219 of the Constitution of India, before whom does a newly appointed High Court Judge subscribe to the oath or affirmation?
Verified Explanation
Article 219 states that every person appointed to be a Judge of a High Court shall make and subscribe an oath or affirmation before the Governor of the State, or some person appointed by him.
14ID: GK-LAW-00132
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Which High Court exercises territorial jurisdiction over the Union Territory of Chandigarh in addition to two States?
Verified Explanation
The High Court of Punjab and Haryana, located in Chandigarh, has common territorial jurisdiction over the State of Punjab, the State of Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
15ID: GK-LAW-00135
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Under Article 231 of the Constitution of India, which legislative authority has the power to establish a common High Court for two or more States?
Verified Explanation
Article 231(1) states that notwithstanding anything contained in the preceding provisions, Parliament may by law establish a common High Court for two or more States or for two or more States and a Union territory.
16ID: GK-LAW-00141
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Which High Court exercises territorial jurisdiction over the State of Nagaland, State of Mizoram, State of Arunachal Pradesh, and State of Assam?
Verified Explanation
The Gauhati High Court, originally known as the High Court of Assam and Nagaland, exercises jurisdiction over Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh with outlying benches at Kohima, Aizawl, and Itanagar.
17ID: GK-LAW-00187
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Which High Court in India has territorial jurisdiction extending over the State of Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep?
Verified Explanation
The Kerala High Court, situated at Ernakulam (Kochi), exercises jurisdiction over the entire State of Kerala and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep under Section 60 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
18ID: GK-LAW-00190
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Who holds the historic distinction of being the first female Judge of a High Court in India, appointed to the Kerala High Court in February 1959?
Verified Explanation
Justice Anna Chandy was appointed to the Kerala High Court on 9 February 1959, making her the first woman High Court judge in India and the Commonwealth.
19ID: GK-LAW-00205
mediumJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Under Article 217(1) of the Constitution of India, who is formally consulted by the President when appointing a Judge of a High Court (other than the Chief Justice of that High Court)?
Verified Explanation
Article 217(1) mandates that every Judge of a High Court shall be appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State, and, in case of appointment of a Judge other than the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of the High Court.
20ID: GK-LAW-00214
mediumJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Under Article 228 of the Constitution of India, what power is conferred upon a High Court regarding cases pending in subordinate courts involving a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution?
Verified Explanation
Article 228 empowers the High Court to withdraw a case from a subordinate court if satisfied that it involves a substantial question of law regarding the interpretation of the Constitution.
21ID: GK-LAW-00247
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
What is the retirement age prescribed for a Judge of a High Court in India under Article 217(1) of the Constitution of India?
Verified Explanation
Article 217(1) of the Constitution provides that a Judge of a High Court shall hold office until they attain the age of 62 years (enhanced from 60 years by the 15th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1963).
22ID: GK-LAW-00259
easyJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Which High Court in India has the highest sanctioned judicial strength of judges (160 judges)?
Verified Explanation
The High Court of Judicature at Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh) has the largest sanctioned judicial strength in India, with an approved strength of 160 judges (120 permanent judges and 40 additional judges).
23ID: GK-LAW-00279
mediumJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Under Article 227 of the Constitution of India, what constitutional power does every High Court exercise over all subordinate courts and statutory tribunals within its territorial jurisdiction?
Verified Explanation
Article 227(1) provides that every High Court shall have superintendence over all courts and tribunals throughout the territories in relation to which it exercises jurisdiction, encompassing both administrative and judicial oversight.
24ID: GK-LAW-00282
mediumJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Which Article of the Constitution of India formally establishes that there shall be a High Court for each State (or a common High Court under Article 231)?
Verified Explanation
Article 214 of the Constitution mandates: 'There shall be a High Court for each State', while Article 231 empowers Parliament by law to establish a common High Court for two or more States or UTs.
25ID: GK-LAW-00292
hardJurisdiction, Writs & Structure of Courts
Under Article 215 of the Constitution of India, what is the constitutional status and contempt jurisdiction conferred on every High Court in India?
Verified Explanation
Article 215 provides that 'Every High Court shall be a court of record and shall have all the powers of such a court including the power to punish for contempt of itself.'
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