Lesson 6. Judiciary: Supreme Court, High Courts, and Subordinate Courts

The independent judiciary is a fundamental feature tested extensively. For the Supreme Court, know its composition, appointment process (collegium system versus NJAC), jurisdiction (original, appellate, advisory), and its power of judicial review. The concept of ‘basic structure doctrine’ from the Kesavananda Bharati case is arguably the most important single judgment for Prelims. For High Courts, focus on their powers, including writ jurisdiction (Article 226), and their control over subordinate courts. The integrated judicial system, the difference between constitutional courts and statutory tribunals, and recent reforms in the appointment system are crucial. Questions often test specific articles (like 131, 132, 136) and the scope of Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Additional Resources: The Supreme Court of India’s official website for reading summaries of landmark judgments. ‘Indian Polity’ by M. Laxmikanth has dedicated chapters on important cases. Legal news portals like LiveLaw and Bar and Bench provide daily updates on key verdicts and collegium decisions that are directly relevant.