How Many Supreme Courts Are There In India?

India has only one supreme court. The Supreme Court of India is the supreme judicial body of India and the Supreme Court of the Constitutional Republic of India. It is the supreme constitutional court, making final decisions in all legal matters except personal law, and also has powers of judicial review. As the highest and most powerful constitutional court in India, it deals mainly with appeals against judgments of the High Courts and other courts and tribunals of various states of the Commonwealth. It protects the fundamental rights of citizens and serves to resolve disputes between various state agencies and the central government against a state government, or between a state government and another state government within a state.

Historical Background of Supreme Court

• The Regulation Act of 1773 was passed establishing the Supreme Court of Calcutta as a bailiff with full jurisdiction and powers. It was established to hear and decide all criminal charges in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa and to entertain, hear and decide all cases and proceedings.
  George III. 1800, established the Supreme Courts of Madras and Bombay respectively in 1823.

• The High Courts of India Act of 1861 established High Courts in various states and abolished the Supreme Courts of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay and the Sadar Adalat of the Presidential Palace.

• Until the Federal Courts of India were established under the Government of India Act 1935, these High Courts had the distinction of being the Supreme Court in all cases.

• The Federal Court was charged with resolving state-state disputes and appealing Supreme Court decisions.
  Indian Constitution was enacted on 26th January 1950 after India gained its independence in 1947. The Supreme Court of India was also established and opened on 28 January 1950.

Composition of Supreme Court

The Supreme Court currently has 34 judges, including the CJI. When it was founded in 1950, it had eight of its justices, including the Chief Justice of India's Supreme Court.

Eligibility To Be A supreme Court Judge

Under Section 124(3), a candidate must meet the following requirements to become a Supreme Court Judge

• He/ she must be a citizen of India.

• Should have been High court judge for at least 5 years (Or) Minimum 10 years of litigation experience and should be an advocate in High Court.

• Should be legal Expert in the Opinion of the President of India.

There is no minimum age limit to become a Supreme Court judge. However, a Supreme Court judge hold the position till he/she attains the age of 65.

Jurisdiction of Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India is established under Chapter IV of Part V of the Constitution of India. Chapter 4 of the Indian Constitution is about the Federal Judicial System. According to this chapter, the Supreme Court of India is vested with full jurisdiction. Pursuant to the Article 124, the Supreme Court of India was constituted and set up. According to Article 129, the Supreme Court is a registered court. Article 131 recognizes the Supreme Court's primary jurisdiction. Articles 132, 133 and 134 recognize the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Article 135 delegates the powers of the Federal Court of Justice to the Supreme Court. Article 136 deals with special permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. The power of review of the Supreme Court is explained in Article 137. Article 138 deals with the extension of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Section 139 deals with the delegation of powers to the Supreme Court to issue specific orders. Auxiliary Powers of the Supreme Court under Section 140. The legislative power of the Supreme Court under Article 141 of the Constitution. Laws promulgated by the Supreme Court are binding on all courts of the country.

Functions of the Supreme Court of India

• Handles appeals against decisions of the High Court and other tribunals and courts.

• Resolves disputes between different state agencies, state governments, and between the federal government and state governments.

• As part of its advisory duties, it also negotiates cases sent by the President. SC can also take on problems on its own (alone).

• The Supreme Court has promulgated laws binding on all Indian courts, federal and state governments.