Which of the following jurisdictions of the Supreme Court allows it to settle disputes between the centre and state and amongst states?

Correct Answer Original

The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide the disputes between the Centre and States falls under Original Jurisdiction.

Key PointsOriginal Jurisdiction  

• As a Federal court, the Supreme Court decides disputes between different units of the Indian Federation.
• More elaborately, any dispute between:
  • The Centre and one or more states
  • The Centre and any state or states on one side and one or more states on the other
  • Between two or more states
• In the above federal disputes, the Supreme Court has exclusive original jurisdiction.
• Hence, option 4 is the correct answer.

Important Points

Appellate Jurisdiction  

• The Supreme Court is primarily a court of appeal and hears appeals against the judgments of the lower courts.
• It enjoys a wide appellate jurisdiction which can be classified under four heads:
  • Appeals in constitutional matters
  • Appeals in civil matters
  • Appeals in criminal matters
  • Appeals by special leave

Advisory Jurisdiction 

• The Constitution under Article 143 authorizes the President to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court in the two categories of matters:
  • On any question of law or fact of public importance which has arisen or which is likely to arise
  • On any dispute arising out of any pre-constitution treaty, agreement, covenant, engagement, sanador other similar instruments