Article 131 of Constitution of India – Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
Article 131 of Constitution of India deals with
Original Text of Article 131 of Constitution of India
Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Supreme Court shall, to the exclusion of any other court, have original jurisdiction in any dispute—
(a) between the Government of India and one or more States; or
(b) between the Government of India and any State or States on one side and one or more other States on the other; or
(c) between two or more States,
if and in so far as the dispute involves any question (whether of law or fact) on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends:
[Provided that the said jurisdiction shall not extend to a dispute arising out of any treaty, agreement, covenant, engagement, sanad or other similar instrument which, having been entered into or executed before the commencement of this Constitution, continues in operation after such commencement, or which provides that the said jurisdiction shall not extend to such a dispute.]
Questions related to Article 131 of Constitution of India
Article 131 gives the Supreme Court original jurisdiction to hear disputes between the Government of India and one or more states, or between states themselves, directly under the Constitution of India.
It includes federal disputes, such as disagreements over territorial boundaries, distribution of resources, or implementation of laws, as interpreted through the Articles of Indian Constitution.
No, Article 131 applies only to disputes involving the Union and state governments. Individuals must approach the court under other articles like Article 32 or 226, as clarified on Indian Kanoon.
It acts as a mechanism for resolving intergovernmental conflicts, maintaining balance in India’s quasi-federal structure, as emphasized in the Indian Constitution.
You can explore Indian Kanoon for notable cases like State of Rajasthan vs Union of India (1977) or State of West Bengal vs Union of India, which were decided under Article 131 of the Constitution of India.
For Further Reference:
Other Related Links:
