Judiciary | Class 11 Political Science Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 5 min read
Judiciary – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Judiciary from Class 11 Political Science, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
JUDICIAL ACTIVISM
Judicial activism refers to the proactive role played by the judiciary in protecting public interest, expanding rights, and ensuring government accountability. It gained prominence in India through Public Interest Litigation (PIL) or Social Action Litigation (SAL), which allows public-spirited individuals or organizations to file cases on behalf of those unable to approach courts themselves. This concept emerged around 1979 when the Supreme Court began hearing cases based on reports or letters highlighting public issues, such as the rights of undertrial prisoners. Early PILs like Hussainara Khatoon vs. Bihar and Sunil Batra vs. Delhi Administration expanded the judiciary's role in safeguarding rights beyond traditional boundaries. Judicial activism has democratized access to justice, forced executive accountability, and addressed issues like environmental protection and electoral reforms. However, it has also led to concerns about overburdening courts and blurring the separation of powers among government organs.
📊 Diagram: Cartoon illustrating judiciary ruling bandhs and hartals illegal, highlighting judicial activism.
🧪 Activity: Activity to find and study a PIL case and its impact on public interest.
🔗 Connection: Leads to judiciary's role in protecting fundamental rights and constitutional interpretation.
Frequently asked questions
1. What are the different ways in which the independence of the judiciary is ensured? Choose the odd ones out. i. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is consulted in the appointment of other judges of Supreme Court. ii. Judges are generally not removed before the age of retirement. iii. Judge of a High Court cannot be transferred to another High Court. iv. Parliament has no say in the appointment of judges.
The independence of the judiciary is ensured through various constitutional and legal provisions. Among the given statements: (i) Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is consulted in the appointment of other judges of Supreme Court - This is true and ensures independence. (ii) Judges are generally not removed before the age of retirement - This is true and protects judges from arbitrary removal. (iii) Judge of a High Court cannot be transferred to another High Court - This is false; judges can be
2. Does independence of the judiciary mean that the judiciary is not accountable to any one? Write your answer in not more than 100 words.
No, independence of the judiciary does not mean that it is not accountable to anyone. Judicial independence ensures that judges can make decisions free from external pressures or influence, especially from the executive and legislature. However, the judiciary is accountable through constitutional provisions such as the process of impeachment for misconduct, judicial review, and adherence to the law and constitution. Transparency, reasoned judgments, and appellate review also ensure accountabilit
3. What are the different provisions in the constitution in order to maintain the independence of judiciary?
The Constitution of India contains several provisions to maintain the independence of the judiciary: 1. Security of Tenure: Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts cannot be removed except by a process of impeachment. 2. Fixed Service Conditions: Salaries and service conditions of judges cannot be altered to their disadvantage after appointment. 3. Appointment Process: Judges are appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India and other judges. 4. Transfer of Ju
4. Read the news report below and identify the following aspects: - ☑ What is the case about? - ☑ Who has been the beneficiary in the case? - ☑ Who is the petitioner in the case? - ☑ Visualise what would have been the different arguments put forward by the company. - ☑ What arguments would the farmers have put forward? ## Supreme Court orders REL to pay Rs 300 crore to Dahanu farmers Our Corporate Bureau 24 March 2005 Mumbai: The Supreme Court has ordered Reliance Energy to pay Rs. 300 crore to farmers who grow the chikoo fruit in the Dahanu area outside Mumbai. The order comes after the chikoo growers petitioned the court against the pollution caused by Reliance's thermal power plant. Dahanu, which is 150 km from Mumbai, was a self-sustaining agricultural and horticultural economy known for its fisheries and forests just over a decade ago, but was devastated in 1989 when a thermal power plant came into operation in the region. The next year, this fertile belt saw its first crop failure. Now, 70 per cent of the crop of what was once the fruit bowl of Maharashtra is gone. The fisheries have shut and the forest cover has thinned. Farmers and environmentalists say that fly ash from the power plant entered ground water and polluted the entire eco-system. The Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority ordered the thermal station to set up a pollution control unit to reduce sulphur emissions, and in spite of a Supreme Court order backing the order the pollution control plant was not set up even by 2002. In 2003, Reliance acquired the thermal station and re-submitted a schedule for installation process in 2004. As the pollution control plant is still not set up, the Dahanu Taluka Environmental Protection Authority asked Reliance for a bank guarantee of Rs. 300 crores.
1. What is the case about? The case concerns environmental pollution caused by Reliance Energy's thermal power plant in Dahanu, which has led to crop failure, damage to fisheries, and environmental degradation.
2. Who has been the beneficiary in the case? The beneficiaries are the farmers of Dahanu who grow chikoo fruit and have suffered losses due to pollution.
3. Who is the petitioner in the case? The petitioners are the chikoo growers (farmers) of Dahanu who approached the Supreme Court aga
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Clear NCERT-aligned notes on धर्मनिरपेक्षता for Class 11 Political Science.
- धर्मनिरपेक्षता | Class 11 Political Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on धर्मनिरपेक्षता for Class 11 Political Science.