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.
Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of India is one of the most powerful courts globally, functioning within constitutional limits. Its powers and responsibilities are defined by the Constitution and include several types of jurisdiction: original, writ, appellate, and advisory. Original jurisdiction allows the Supreme Court to hear cases directly, especially those involving disputes between the Union and States or among States. Writ jurisdiction empowers the Supreme Court and High Courts to issue writs to protect fundamental rights. Appellate jurisdiction enables the Supreme Court to hear appeals against High Court decisions, particularly in serious constitutional or legal matters. Advisory jurisdiction allows the President to seek the Supreme Court's opinion on important constitutional questions, though the Court's advice is not binding. These jurisdictions collectively empower the Supreme Court to act as the guardian of the Constitution and protector of citizens' rights.
📊 Diagram: Diagram illustrating the different jurisdictions of the Supreme Court including original, appellate, writ, and advisory.
🔗 Connection: Prepares for understanding judicial activism and the judiciary's role in rights protection.
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.
- धर्मनिरपेक्षता | Class 11 Political Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on धर्मनिरपेक्षता for Class 11 Political Science.