High Courts
Indian Polity · उच्च न्यायालय
📋Quick Overview
High Courts are the highest courts at the state level, established under Articles 214–231 (Part VI, Chapter V) of the Constitution. Currently India has 25 High Courts. Each state has a High Court, though some High Courts serve multiple states/UTs. The first three High Courts were established in 1862 at Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. High Courts have Original, Appellate, and Writ jurisdiction. Notably, the writ jurisdiction of High Courts under Article 226 is WIDER than the Supreme Court's Art 32 — HC can issue writs for Fundamental Rights AND other legal rights.
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India has 25 High Courts. First 3 HCs (1862): Calcutta, Bombay, Madras. Newest HC: Andhra Pradesh HC (separated from Telangana, 2019).
📖High Court — Key Facts Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Articles | 214–231 (Part VI, Chapter V) |
| Total HCs | 25 (currently) |
| Appointment of CJ | By President (after consulting CJI + Governor of state) |
| Appointment of Judges | By President (on recommendation of Collegium: CJI + 2 senior SC judges) |
| Qualifications | Indian citizen, 10 yrs as HC advocate OR 10 yrs judicial office in India |
| Retirement Age | 62 years |
| Removal | Same as SC judge — by President on Parliament's address (Special Majority) |
| Oath | Administered by Governor of the state |
| Transfer | President can transfer HC judge from one HC to another (Art 222) |
| No. of Judges | Not fixed by Constitution — decided by President |
📖High Court Jurisdiction
| Jurisdiction | Article | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Original | — | Revenue matters, enforcement of FR, election disputes, company law cases |
| Writ (Art 226) | 226 | Can issue ALL 5 writs for FR + ANY other legal right. WIDER than Art 32 of SC |
| Appellate | — | Appeals from lower courts in civil and criminal cases |
| Supervisory | 227 | Superintendence over all courts and tribunals within its territory |
| Court of Record | 215 | HC is a Court of Record — judgments are evidence, can punish for contempt |
📖First 3 High Courts & Important HCs
| High Court | Year | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Calcutta HC | 1862 | OLDEST High Court in India |
| Bombay HC | 1862 | Established same year as Calcutta and Madras |
| Madras HC | 1862 | Established same year as Calcutta and Bombay |
| Allahabad HC | 1866 | LARGEST HC in India (by number of judges) |
| Guwahati HC | — | Has jurisdiction over 4 NE states (Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh) |
| Delhi HC | 1966 | Only HC for a Union Territory with full state-like status |
| Andhra Pradesh HC | 2019 | NEWEST HC (separated from Telangana HC, seat: Amaravati) |
📖High Court vs Supreme Court — Comparison
📝"First / Only" — Quick Facts
- •FIRST 3 HCs (all 1862): Calcutta, Bombay, Madras
- •LARGEST HC by judges: Allahabad High Court
- •NEWEST HC: Andhra Pradesh HC (2019)
- •HC with jurisdiction over MOST states: Guwahati HC (4 NE states)
- •FIRST woman HC Chief Justice: Justice Leila Seth (HP HC, 1991)
- •Art 226 of HC is WIDER than Art 32 of SC — one of the most asked facts