Service of State
Judiciary of India
The Judiciary is the third branch of the Indian state and the guardian of its Constitution. An integrated single hierarchy runs from the Supreme Court of India at the apex, through the High Courts of the states, down to the district and subordinate courts. Through judicial review it can strike down laws and executive action, and through the "basic structure" doctrine it limits even Parliament's power to amend the Constitution.
Updated
- Apex court established
- 28 January 1950
- Structure
- Supreme Court → High Courts → subordinate courts
- Sanctioned SC strength
- 34 judges
- Appointments
- Collegium system
Role
The Judiciary interprets and guards the Constitution. Its defining powers are judicial review — the authority to strike down legislation or executive action that violates the Constitution — and the basic structure doctrine, which places the Constitution’s foundational features beyond the reach of amendment. As an integrated system, a single hierarchy of courts applies both central and state law nationwide.
Why it is a service of state
Unlike the elected executive and legislature, the judiciary is a permanent, appointed arm of the state — a career service staffed through the collegium, insulated by design from the political cycle. It is grouped here alongside the other permanent instruments of the Republic (the armed forces, intelligence, space and defence-R&D bodies) that outlast any government.
Desk maintained by IndiaStand editorial cycles. Officeholders are transient; this dossier tracks the institution.
Timeline since 1947
- reference
Supreme Court of India established
Inaugurated on 28 January 1950, succeeding the Federal Court of India (1937) as the apex court under the new Constitution.
- reference
Kesavananda Bharati: the basic structure doctrine
The Supreme Court held that Parliament cannot amend the Constitution's 'basic structure' — the foundational limit on constitutional amendment.
- reference
ADM Jabalpur (Emergency habeas corpus case)
A widely-criticised ruling permitting suspension of habeas corpus during the Emergency; later effectively repudiated.
- reference
Collegium system for judicial appointments
The Second Judges Case gave the judiciary primacy over its own appointments through a collegium of senior judges.
- reference
NJAC struck down
The Supreme Court invalidated the National Judicial Appointments Commission, retaining the collegium system.
- reference
Puttaswamy: right to privacy
A nine-judge bench held privacy to be a fundamental right under the Constitution.
Frequently asked
- What is Judiciary of India?
- The Judiciary is the third branch of the Indian state and the guardian of its Constitution. An integrated single hierarchy runs from the Supreme Court of India at the apex, through the High Courts of the states, down to the district and subordinate courts. Through judicial review it can strike down laws and executive action, and through the "basic structure" doctrine it limits even Parliament's power to amend the Constitution.
- When was Judiciary of India established?
- Judiciary of India was established 1950 (Supreme Court of India).
- What does Judiciary of India do?
- Its remit covers Judicial review of legislation and executive action, Interpretation and protection of the Constitution, Enforcement of fundamental rights, Final appellate jurisdiction, Judicial appointments (via the collegium).