Question

Which of the following disputes falls under the Supreme Court's exclusive original jurisdiction as per Article 131 of the Indian Constitution?

• A. Inter-State water disputes
• B. Election disputes of MPs and MLAS
• C. Disputes between Centre and one or more States
• D. Appeals against High Court decisions

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Disputes between Centre and one or more States

Overview of Article 131

• Article 131 of the Indian Constitution deals with the Exclusive Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India.
• Original Jurisdiction means that the Supreme Court has the power to hear a case in the first instance, rather than by way of appeal.
• Exclusive Jurisdiction means that no other court in India (including High Courts) has the authority to try such disputes.

Scope of Disputes Under Article 131

• Disputes between the Government of India (Centre) and one or more States.
• Disputes between the Centre and any State(s) on one side and one or more other States on the other side.
• Disputes between two or more States.

Key Conditions and Limitations

• The dispute must involve a question of law or fact on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends. Political or policy disagreements without legal right issues are excluded.
• It does not apply to disputes arising out of pre-Constitution treaties, agreements, covenants, or engagements.
• It does not cover private individuals or corporations suing the Centre or State governments; it only applies to federal units.

Related Constitutional Provisions

• Inter-State River Water Disputes: Under Article 262, Parliament can exclude the Supreme Court's jurisdiction over inter-state river water disputes, delegating them to specific tribunals instead.
• Finance Commission Matters: Matters referred to the Finance Commission (Article 280) are excluded from Article 131's purview.
• Historical Precedent: Article 131 is adapted from Section 204 of the Government of India Act, 1935, which conferred similar powers on the Federal Court of India.