UPSC Prelims 2002 Q31: Indian Polity – Judiciary
The salaries and allowances of the Judges of the High Court are charged on the
- (a) Consolidated Fund of India
- (b) Consolidated Fund of the State
- (c) Contingency Fund of India
- (d) Contingency Fund of the State
Answer: (b) Consolidated Fund of the State
Explanation
Charge of High Court judges' salaries and allowances
| Fund | Used for |
|---|---|
| Consolidated Fund of the State | Salaries and allowances of High Court Judges are charged on it (Article 202(3)(d)) |
| Consolidated Fund of India | Salaries of Supreme Court judges, President, CAG and others |
| Contingency Fund of India | Unforeseen urgent expenditure by the President's advance |
| Contingency Fund of the State | Unforeseen urgent expenditure under the Governor |
The salaries and allowances of the Judges of a High Court are charged on the Consolidated Fund of the State (Article 202(3)), so they are not subject to the vote of the legislature. The pensions of High Court judges, by contrast, are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
Answer: (b) Consolidated Fund of the State.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Only the pensions of High Court judges come from the Consolidated Fund of India.
- (b) CORRECT. Article 202 charges High Court judges' salaries on the State fund.
- (c) Incorrect. The Contingency Fund of India is for unforeseen expenditure.
- (d) Incorrect. The Contingency Fund of the State is for unforeseen expenditure.
Key point
Charged expenditure: Supreme Court judges on the Union fund; High Court judges' salaries on the State fund (pensions on the Union fund).
Remember
HC judges' salaries: Consolidated Fund of the State.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the Consolidated Fund of India, which pays the pensions.
- Mixing Supreme Court and High Court judges.
- Selecting a Contingency Fund by confusion with emergencies.
Exam tip
State court judges' salaries: State fund; the Union fund meets their pensions.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Articles 112, 202 and 221
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity