What went wrong when the king rode under the arch?

It was too low and knocked off his crown

How does the chain of blame unfold in the poem?

Each accused person blames another, ending with the king's own changes

How is the independence of the judiciary ensured?

By keeping the legislature out of appointments, giving security of tenure, financial independence, a difficult removal procedure, and contempt powers.

What is the collegium system?

The procedure by which the Chief Justice recommends judicial appointments in consultation with four senior-most Supreme Court judges.

How is a Supreme Court or High Court judge removed?

Only on proven misbehaviour or incapacity, through a motion passed by a special majority in both Houses of Parliament.

Describe the structure of the Indian judiciary.

A single integrated system, pyramidal, with the Supreme Court at the top, High Courts below them, and district and subordinate courts at the lowest level.

Name the jurisdictions of the Supreme Court.

Original, writ, appellate and advisory jurisdiction, plus special powers to grant leave to appeal.

What is original jurisdiction?

The power of the Supreme Court alone to directly hear disputes between the Union and States and among the States.

What is judicial review?

The power of the Supreme Court (or High Courts) to examine the constitutionality of any law and declare it inoperative if it is inconsistent with the Constitution.

What is Public Interest Litigation?

Litigation, begun around 1979, where public-spirited citizens or organisations approach the court on behalf of the deprived, democratising access to justice.

What did the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) establish?

The basic structure doctrine — that Parliament can amend the Constitution but cannot violate its basic structure, which the judiciary decides.

Judiciary

Q: Why is an independent judiciary needed?

To protect the rule of law, ensure the supremacy of law, safeguard individual rights and settle disputes free of political pressure.

Class 11 Political Science · Indian Constitution at Work · Chapter 6

163 members in the CBSE community

View all

CBSE Class 11 · Political Science

Every article and amendment for 40 marks

Marks booster + cheatsheet: key concepts in 2 lines each
12 marks: Executive to Judiciary
Constitution-making timeline
Institution-by-institution comparisons
6 marks: elections, FPTP, PR, reserved seats
Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles

Page 1 free about 8 min read, Full kit about 55 min read

₹159See the full kit

CBSE Class 11 · Political Science

Freedom + Equality: 12 of the 40 marks

Marks booster + cheatsheet: key concepts in 2 lines each, common traps
8 marks together: Citizenship, Nationalism
6 marks each: Social Justice, Secularism
8 chapters: thinkers and a timeline
Liberty, equality, justice side by side
Common traps, corrected

Page 1 free about 8 min read, Full kit about 55 min read

₹159See the full kit

View all 44 amazing Marks Booster kits →

Summary

This chapter explains the role and importance of the judiciary, one of the most powerful courts in the world. An independent judiciary is needed to protect the rule of law, ensure the supremacy of law, safeguard individual rights and settle disputes without political pressure. Independence is ensured by keeping the legislature out of appointments, giving judges security of tenure with a difficult removal procedure, financial independence, and immunity from personal criticism (contempt of court). The chapter describes the appointment of judges (the collegium system) and the difficult removal procedure requiring a special majority. India has a single integrated judicial system, pyramidal with the Supreme Court at the top, then High Courts and district and subordinate courts. It explains the Supreme Court's jurisdictions — original, writ, appellate and advisory — and its special powers. It discusses judicial activism and Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which since 1979 has let public-spirited citizens approach courts on behalf of the deprived, democratising access to justice while also raising concerns about overburdening courts and blurring the line between organs. It examines the judiciary's role in protecting rights (writs and judicial review under Articles 32, 226 and 13), and the relationship between judiciary and Parliament, including the right to property dispute and the basic structure doctrine from the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973).

Judiciary

Key terms

Independence of judiciary

the principle that other organs must not restrain or interfere with the judiciary, so judges can act without fear or favour.

Integrated judicial system

India's single pyramidal system with the Supreme Court at the top, High Courts and subordinate courts below.

Judicial review

the power of the Supreme Court (or High Courts) to examine the constitutionality of a law and strike it down if inconsistent with the Constitution.

Public Interest Litigation (PIL)

litigation filed on behalf of the deprived by public-spirited persons, key vehicle of judicial activism.

Basic structure doctrine

the principle from the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) that Parliament cannot amend the basic structure of the Constitution.

Original jurisdiction

the Supreme Court's power to directly hear disputes between the Union and States or among States.

Extra questions & answers

Try one from this chapter

The principal role of the judiciary is to:

Flashcards & interactive practice

Judiciary

163 members in the CBSE community

Summary

Key terms

Extra questions & answers

Practice quiz · Judiciary

Data & insights