Polity Chapters

1. Evolution of Indian Constitution2. Constituent Assembly and Making of the Constitution3. Different Sources of the Indian Constitution4. Important Articles of the Constitution5. Important Amendments of the Constitution6. Some Special features of the Indian Constitution7. Federal and Unitary features of the Indian Union8. The Preamble9. Lapse of Paramountcy10. Integration and Merger of Indian States11. The Union and its Territories12. Reorganization of States13. Citizenship14. Fundamental Rights15. Directive Principles of State Policy16. Fundamental Duties17. Procedure of Amending the Constitution18. Executive of the Union19. The Parliament of India20. President of India21. Vice President22. Prime Minister23. Council of Ministers24. Lok Sabha25. Rajya Sabha26. Vidhan Sabha27. Vidhan Parishad28. Governor29. Chief Minister30. State Council of Ministers31. The Parliament of India32. NITI Aayog33. Executive of the States34. Special Position of J and K35. Panchayats36. Municipalities37. The Supreme Court38. The High Court39. Inter-State Council40. Finance Commission41. Planning Commission42. National Development Council43. National Integration Council44. Inter State Relations45. Emergency Provisions46. Public Service Commissions47. Election48. Delimitation Commission of India49. The Official Languages50. National Symbols51. Glossary of Constitutional Terms

The High Court

“The High Court is the highest court at the state level in the Indian judicial system.”

Constitutional Provisions

  • Articles 214 to 231 of the Indian Constitution deal with the High Courts.
  • Every state has a High Court. Some High Courts serve more than one state or Union Territory.
  • Established under **Part VI, Chapter V** of the Constitution.

Composition of High Court

  • Consists of a **Chief Justice** and other judges as appointed by the President of India.
  • Number of judges varies from court to court.

Qualification of High Court Judges

  • Must be a citizen of India.
  • Held a judicial office in India for at least **10 years**, or
  • Advocate in one or more High Courts for at least **10 years**.

Tenure and Removal

  • Retirement age: **62 years**.
  • Can resign by writing to the President.
  • Can be removed only by **impeachment** (same process as Supreme Court Judges).

Jurisdiction of High Court

  • Original Jurisdiction: Matters related to fundamental rights, wills, divorce, marriage, etc.
  • Writ Jurisdiction: Under Article 226, can issue writs for enforcement of rights.
  • Appellate Jurisdiction: Hears appeals from lower courts (civil and criminal).
  • Supervisory Jurisdiction: Supervises functioning of lower courts and tribunals in the state.

Important Articles Related to High Court

  • Article 214: Establishment of High Court
  • Article 215: High Court to be a Court of Record
  • Article 216: Constitution of High Court
  • Article 217: Appointment and tenure of Judges
  • Article 226: Power to issue writs
  • Article 227: Power of superintendence over all courts
  • Article 231: Establishment of common High Court for two or more states

Writs under Article 226

  • Habeas Corpus – To release a person unlawfully detained
  • Mandamus – To command a public official to perform duty
  • Prohibition – To stop a lower court from exceeding jurisdiction
  • Certiorari – To quash the order of a lower court
  • Quo-Warranto – To question a person’s authority to hold public office

Previous Year Questions

  • HSSC 2021: What is the retirement age of High Court Judges?
  • 62 years
  • SSC CGL 2020: Which Article empowers High Court to issue writs?
  • Article 226
  • RRB NTPC 2019: Who appoints the Judges of the High Court?
  • President of India
Did You Know? The **Calcutta High Court** is the oldest High Court in India, established in **1862**.

Conclusion

The High Court plays a vital role in maintaining justice at the state level. It ensures that laws are followed, rights are protected, and lower courts function within their limits.

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