Judiciary of India
The judiciary of India is a system of courts that interpret and apply the law in the Republic of India. India uses a common law system, first introduced by the British East India Company and with influence from other colonial powers and Indian princely states, as well as practices from ancient and medieval times. The Constitution of India provides concept for a single and unified judiciary in India.
Motto: यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः॥ (IAST: Yato Dharmastato Jayaḥ) Where there is righteousness (dharma), there is victory (jayah) | |
| Service overview | |
|---|---|
| Formerly known as | Federal Judiciary |
| Founded | Mayor's Court, Madras (1726) |
| Country | India |
| Training Institute | 1. National Judicial Academy (Bhopal) 2. State Judicial Academy |
| Controlling authority | Supreme Court High Court |
| Legal personality | Judiciary |
| Duties | Justice Administration Public Interest Litigation Guardian of the Constitution |
| Hierarchy of Courts in India | 1. Supreme Court 2. High Court 3. District Court 4. Executive /Revenue Court |
| Post Designation | Justice Judge Magistrate - Judicial & Executive |
| Cadre strength | 23,790 Judges strength (34 in Supreme Court, 1079 for High Court, 22677 for Subordinate Court) |
| Selection / Appointment | 1. President of India for SC & HC Judges (as per the recommendations of Collegium) 2. Governor for Subordinate Judiciary (after passing the Judicial Service Exam) |
| Salary | ₹77840 - ₹280,000 |
| Associations | All India Judges Association |
| Head of Judiciary | |
| Chief Justice of India | Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud (50th CJI) |
The Indian judicial system is managed and administrated by officers. Judges of Subordinate Judiciaries are appointed by the governor on recommendation by the High Court. Judges of the High Courts and Supreme Court are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a collegium.
The judicial system is structured in three levels with subsidiary parts. The Supreme Court, also known as the Apex Court, is the top court and the ultimate appellate court in India. The Chief Justice of India leads that court. High Courts are the top judicial bodies in individual states, controlled and managed by state Chief Justices. Below the High Courts are District Courts, also known as subordinate courts, that are controlled and managed by District and Sessions Judges. The lower subordinate courts are Civil Court and the District Munsif Court, headed by a Sub-Judge. The higher subordinate court, Criminal Court, is headed by Chief Judicial/Metropolitan Magistrate at top and followed by ACJM /ACMM and JM/MM at the lower level.
The Executive and Revenue Courts are managed by the state government through the district magistrate or other executive magistrates. Although the executive courts are not part of the judiciary, various provisions and judgements empower the High Courts and Session Judges to inspect or direct their operation.
The Ministry of Law and Justice at the Union level is responsible for raising issues before Parliament relating to the judiciary. It has jurisdiction to deal with the issues of any court. It also deals with the appointment of Judges of the High Courts and the Supreme Court. At the state level, the law departments of the states deal with issues regarding the High Court and the Subordinate Courts.