General Awareness The Union Judiciary: Supreme Court

Supreme Court

- Supreme Court stands at the apex of the Judicial System of India'. It is the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution and the laws of the land, the highest constitutional court, with the power of constitutional review.
- Article 124 states the establishment and Constitution of Supreme Court.
- Supreme Court was inaugurated on 28th January, 1950. It was first set up in Calcutta for administration of justice.
- It comprises the Chief Justice of India and 30 other judges.
- It has original, appellate and advisory jurisdictions.
- As the final court of appeal of the country, it takes up appeals primarily against verdicts of the High Courts of various States of the Union and other courts and tribunals.
- The Supreme Court has extensive original jurisdiction for the protection of fundamental rights of citizens.
- It also acts as the court to settle disputes between various governments in the country.
- As an advisory court, it hears matters which may specifically be referred to it under the Constitution by the President of India.
- It also may take cognizance of matters on its own (or 'suo moto'), without anyone drawing its attention.
- Under Article 137, the Supreme Court can review its own judgement to remove any error that might have been given in its order.

- A citizen of India who has been
a judge of one high court or more (continuously), for at least five years, or
an advocate there, for at least ten years, or
a distinguished jurist, in the opinion of the president, or
is eligible to be recommended for appointment, a judge of the supreme court.

Deputy Prime Ministers of India

- The Deputy Prime Minister of India is a member of the Union Cabinet in the Government of India.
- It is technically not a constitutional office, it seldom carries any specific powers.
- In the parliamentary system of government, the Prime Minister is treated as the "first among equals" in the cabinet; the position of Deputy Prime Minister is used to bring political stability and strength within a coalition government or in times of national emergency, when a proper chain of command is necessary.
- A Deputy Prime Minister usually also holds a key cabinet portfolio such as the Home Minister or Finance Minister.
- Many times there arose a proposal to make this post permanent, but nothing happened.

Types of Ministers

There are three categories of ministers in India:
Union Cabinet Minister - they are the real policy makers. Senior minister in-charge of a ministry.
Minister of State (Independent Charges) - with no overseeing union cabinet minister for that portfolio.
Minister of State (MoS) - either independent charge or attached to a Cabinet Minister, usually tasked with a specific responsibility in that ministry.

 
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