UPSC Prelims 2001 Q18: Indian Polity – Judiciary
Consider the following statements regarding the High Courts in India:
I. There are eighteen High Courts in the country.
II. Three of them have jurisdiction over more than one State.
III. No Union Territory has a High Court of its own.
IV. Judges of the High Court hold office till the age of 62.
Which of these statements is/are correct?
- (a) I, II and IV
- (b) II and III
- (c) I and IV
- (d) IV only
Answer: (a) I, II and IV
Explanation
Statements regarding the High Courts in India
| Statement | Verdict |
|---|---|
| I. There are eighteen High Courts | Taken as correct — the count before the three High Courts of November 2000 (Chhattisgarh, Uttaranchal, Jharkhand); today there are 25 |
| II. Three have jurisdiction over more than one State | Correct — Guwahati (north-eastern States), Bombay (Maharashtra, Goa), Punjab and Haryana |
| III. No Union Territory has its own High Court | Wrong — Delhi has had its own High Court since 1966 |
| IV. High Court judges retire at 62 | Correct — Article 217 |
Statements I, II and IV are taken as correct, and III is wrong because Delhi has its own High Court. Note that statement I was already out of date in 2001, since three new High Courts started in November 2000; the paper used the older figure of 18.
Answer: (a) I, II and IV.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Statements I, II and IV are correct; Delhi disproves III.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement III is wrong because Delhi has its own High Court.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement II about three shared High Courts is also correct.
- (d) Incorrect. Statements I and II are also correct.
Key point
Today 25 High Courts; UTs with their own: Delhi, and the common High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. High Court judges retire at 62, Supreme Court judges at 65.
Remember
High Court judges retire at 62; Delhi has its own High Court.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that Delhi has a High Court of its own.
- Mixing the retirement age of 62 (High Court) with 65 (Supreme Court).
- Not recalling which High Courts serve more than one State.
Exam tip
A 'no Union Territory' statement is disproved by one example: Delhi.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Articles 214, 217 and 231
- Department of Justice, Government of India — High Courts of India (official list)