Supreme Court of India: History, Structure & Key Facts

🔹 Introduction

The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial authority in the country. It serves as the guardian of the Constitution, protector of fundamental rights, and final court of appeal.

📜 Historical Background

The roots of the Supreme Court go back to the Federal Court of India, established in 1937 under the Government of India Act, 1935. After independence, the Constitution of India came into effect on 26th January 1950, officially establishing the Supreme Court of India.

🗓️ Inauguration Date: 28th January 1950
📍 First Location: Chamber of Princes, Parliament House
🏛️ Current Location: Tilak Marg, New Delhi

 Constitutional Status

• Established under: Article 124 of the Indian Constitution
• Jurisdiction: Original, Appellate, and Advisory
• Binding Authority: Its judgments are binding on all courts in India (Article 141)

⚖️ Composition of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court consists of:

• Chief Justice of India (CJI)
• Maximum 33 other Judges

The number of judges can be increased by Parliament as needed.

🔹Current Chief Justice (as of 2025): [Use web tool for update] 🔹 First CJI: Justice Harilal Jekisundas Kania (1950)

🔍 Powers & Jurisdiction

1. Original Jurisdiction

• Disputes between the Union and states
• Disputes between two or more states

2. Appellate Jurisdiction

• Appeals from High Courts in civil, criminal, and constitutional matters

3. Advisory Jurisdiction

• President of India can seek advice (Article 143)

4. Judicial Review

• Can declare laws unconstitutional
• Acts as the guardian of the Constitution

 Key Features of the Supreme Court

🏆 Landmark Judgments

1. Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973) – Introduced the Basic Structure Doctrine
2. Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978) – Expanded the interpretation of Article 21
3. Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) – Decriminalized Section 377

📖 Quick Facts for Exams

• ✅ First woman judge: Justice Fathima Beevi (1989)
• ✅ Motto: Yato Dharma Tato Jaya (Where there is Dharma, there is Victory)
• ✅ Emblem: Adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka
• ✅ Article 136: Special Leave Petition (SLP)
• ✅ Article 32: Right to Constitutional Remedies (can approach SC directly)

📝 Conclusion

The Supreme Court of India is more than a judicial body; it is the final protector of citizens’ rights and constitutional supremacy. Its functioning reflects the true spirit of democracy in India. For aspirants of government exams and general knowledge enthusiasts, understanding the structure and role of the Supreme Court is a must.