Article 139 ('Conferment on the Supreme Court of powers to issue certain writs') belongs to Part V, Chapter IV (The Union Judiciary). It defines the institutional architecture and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India—covering judicial appointments, salaries, Court of Record status (contempt power), original federal disputes (Art 131), constitutional/civil/criminal appeals (Arts 132–136), review of judgments (Art 137), or binding precedents (Art 141). Specifically: Parliament may by law confer on the Supreme Court power to issue directions, orders or writs, including writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari, or any of them, for any purposes other than...
Article 139A ('Transfer of certain cases') belongs to Part V, Chapter IV (The Union Judiciary). It defines the institutional architecture and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India—covering judicial appointments, salaries, Court of Record status (contempt power), original federal disputes (Art 131), constitutional/civil/criminal appeals (Arts 132–136), review of judgments (Art 137), or binding precedents (Art 141). Specifically: (1) Where cases involving the same or substantially the same questions of law are pending before the Supreme Court and one or more High Courts or before two or more High Courts and the Supreme Court is satisfied on its own motion or on an...
Article 140 ('Ancillary powers of Supreme Court') belongs to Part V, Chapter IV (The Union Judiciary). It defines the institutional architecture and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India—covering judicial appointments, salaries, Court of Record status (contempt power), original federal disputes (Art 131), constitutional/civil/criminal appeals (Arts 132–136), review of judgments (Art 137), or binding precedents (Art 141). Specifically: Parliament may by law make provision for conferring upon the Supreme Court such supplemental powers not inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Constitution as may appear to be necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the...
Article 141 states: 'The law declared by the Supreme Court shall be binding on all courts within the territory of India.' This single sentence makes Supreme Court precedents—such as D.K. Basu arrest guidelines, Arnesh Kumar bail rules, Vishaka workplace safety rules, or the ban on Bulldozer Justice—immediately enforceable law across every district court, magistrate bench, and police station in India. Any officer or lower court defying a Supreme Court judgment commits Contempt of Court.
Article 142(1) vests the Supreme Court with extraordinary plenary power: where existing statutory law is silent, inadequate, or tied up in technical red tape, the Supreme Court can pass any order necessary to deliver 'Complete Justice' across the territory of India.
Historically, the Supreme Court has used Article 142 to fill legislative vacuums and protect citizens—such as framing the Vishaka Guidelines (1997) against workplace sexual harassment before Parliament passed the POSH Act in 2013, ordering cleanup of the Taj Trapezium and Ganga, granting compensation to Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims, releasing long-incarcerated prisoners, and dissolving irretrievably broken marriages by mutual consent without waiting for the mandatory 6-month cooling-off period (Shilpa Sailesh v. Varun Sreenivasan, 2023).
Article 143 ('Power of President to consult Supreme Court') belongs to Part V, Chapter IV (The Union Judiciary). It defines the institutional architecture and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India—covering judicial appointments, salaries, Court of Record status (contempt power), original federal disputes (Art 131), constitutional/civil/criminal appeals (Arts 132–136), review of judgments (Art 137), or binding precedents (Art 141). Specifically: (1) If at any time it appears to the President that a question of law or fact has arisen, or is likely to arise, which is of such a nature and of such public importance that it is expedient to obtain the opinion of the Supreme Court upon...
Article 144 ('Civil and judicial authorities to act in aid of the Supreme Court') belongs to Part V, Chapter IV (The Union Judiciary). It defines the institutional architecture and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India—covering judicial appointments, salaries, Court of Record status (contempt power), original federal disputes (Art 131), constitutional/civil/criminal appeals (Arts 132–136), review of judgments (Art 137), or binding precedents (Art 141). Specifically: All authorities, civil and judicial, in the territory of India shall act in aid of the Supreme Court.
Article 145 ('Rules of Court, etc') belongs to Part V, Chapter IV (The Union Judiciary). It defines the institutional architecture and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India—covering judicial appointments, salaries, Court of Record status (contempt power), original federal disputes (Art 131), constitutional/civil/criminal appeals (Arts 132–136), review of judgments (Art 137), or binding precedents (Art 141). Specifically: (1) Subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament, the Supreme Court may from time to time, with the approval of the President, make rules for regulating generally the practice and procedure of the Court including — (a) rules...
Article 146 ('Officers and servants and the expenses of the Supreme Court') belongs to Part V, Chapter IV (The Union Judiciary). It defines the institutional architecture and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India—covering judicial appointments, salaries, Court of Record status (contempt power), original federal disputes (Art 131), constitutional/civil/criminal appeals (Arts 132–136), review of judgments (Art 137), or binding precedents (Art 141). Specifically: (1) Appointments of officers and servants of the Supreme Court shall be made by the Chief Justice of India or such other Judge or officer of the Court as he may direct: Provided that the President may by rule require that in such...
Article 147 ('Interpretation') belongs to Part V, Chapter IV (The Union Judiciary). It defines the institutional architecture and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India—covering judicial appointments, salaries, Court of Record status (contempt power), original federal disputes (Art 131), constitutional/civil/criminal appeals (Arts 132–136), review of judgments (Art 137), or binding precedents (Art 141). Specifically: In this Chapter and in Chapter V of Part VI, references to any substantial question of law as to the interpretation of this Constitution shall be construed as including references to any substantial question of law as to the interpretation...
Article 148 ('Comptroller and Auditor-General of India') in Part V, Chapter V governs the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG)—whom Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called probably the most important officer under the Constitution. It regulates the independent office of the CAG (Art 148), audit duties over Union and State expenditures (Art 149), standard form of government accounts (Art 150), and laying of audit reports before Parliament and State Legislatures (Art 151).
Article 149 ('Duties and powers of the Comptroller and Auditor-General') in Part V, Chapter V governs the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG)—whom Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called probably the most important officer under the Constitution. It regulates the independent office of the CAG (Art 148), audit duties over Union and State expenditures (Art 149), standard form of government accounts (Art 150), and laying of audit reports before Parliament and State Legislatures (Art 151).
Article 150 ('Form of accounts of the Union and of the States') in Part V, Chapter V governs the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG)—whom Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called probably the most important officer under the Constitution. It regulates the independent office of the CAG (Art 148), audit duties over Union and State expenditures (Art 149), standard form of government accounts (Art 150), and laying of audit reports before Parliament and State Legislatures (Art 151).
Article 151 ('Audit reports') in Part V, Chapter V governs the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG)—whom Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called probably the most important officer under the Constitution. It regulates the independent office of the CAG (Art 148), audit duties over Union and State expenditures (Art 149), standard form of government accounts (Art 150), and laying of audit reports before Parliament and State Legislatures (Art 151).
Article 152 ('Definition') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, the expression “State” does not include the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Article 153 ('Governors of States') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: There shall be a Governor for each State: Provided that nothing in this article shall prevent the appointment of the same person as Governor for two or more States.
Article 154 ('Executive power of State') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: (1) The executive power of the State shall be vested in the Governor and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with this Constitution. (2) Nothing in this article shall — (a)...
Article 155 ('Appointment of Governor') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: The Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
Article 156 ('Term of office of Governor') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: (1) The Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President. (2) The Governor may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office. (3) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this article, a Governor...
Article 157 ('Qualifications for appointment as Governor') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: No person shall be eligible for appointment as Governor unless he is a citizen of India and has completed the age of thirty-five years.
Article 158 ('Conditions of Governor's office') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: (1) The Governor shall not be a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of the Legislature of any State specified in the First Schedule, and if a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of the Legislature of any such...
Article 159 ('Oath or affirmation by the Governor') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: Every Governor and every person discharging the functions of the Governor shall, before entering upon his office, make and subscribe in the presence of the Chief Justice of the High Court exercising jurisdiction in relation to the State,...
Article 160 ('Discharge of the functions of the Governor in certain contingencies') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: The President may make such provision as he thinks fit for the discharge of the functions of the Governor of a State in any contingency not provided for in this Chapter.
Article 161 ('Power of Governor to grant pardons, etc, and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain cases') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: The Governor of a State shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to a matter to...
Article 162 ('Extent of executive power of State') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive power of a State shall extend to the matters with respect to which the Legislature of the State has power to make laws: Provided that in any matter with respect to which...
Article 163 ('Council of Ministers to aid and advise Governor') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: (1) There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except in so far as he is by or under this Constitution required to exercise his functions or...
Article 164 ('Other provisions as to Ministers') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: (1) The Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, and the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor: ...
Article 165 ('Advocate-General for the State') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: (1) The Governor of each State shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed a Judge of a High Court to be Advocate-General for the State. (2) It shall be the duty of the Advocate-General to give advice to the Government of the...
Article 166 ('Conduct of business of the Government of a State') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: (1) All executive action of the Government of a State shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the Governor. (2) Orders and other instruments made and executed in the name of the Governor shall be authenticated in such manner as may...
Article 167 ('Duties of Chief Minister as respects the furnishing of information to Governor, etc') in Part VI, Chapter II regulates the executive government of the States. It defines the office, appointment, tenure, and powers of the Governor, the aid and advice of the State Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General for the State, and the conduct of state government business. Specifically: It shall be the duty of the Chief Minister of each State — (a) to communicate to the Governor of the State all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the State and proposals for...
