UPSC Prelims 2006 Q17: Indian Polity – Judiciary
Assertion (A): In India, every State has a High Court in its territory.
Reason (R): The Constitution of India provides for a High Court in each State.
- (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- (b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
- (c) A is true but R is false
- (d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (d) A is false but R is true
Explanation
High Courts and States
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Assertion (A): Every State has a High Court in its territory | False | Several States shared a common High Court, e.g. Punjab and Haryana, and Gauhati HC served several north-eastern States |
| Reason (R): The Constitution provides for a High Court in each State | True | Article 214 says there shall be a High Court for each State |
Article 231 allows Parliament to set up a common High Court for two or more States, which is why A is not literally true.
So A is false but R is true.
Answer: (d) A is false but R is true.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. A is false because several States shared a common High Court.
- (b) Incorrect. A is false, so 'both true' cannot hold.
- (c) Incorrect. R is true under Article 214, so it is not 'A true, R false'.
- (d) CORRECT. Article 214 provides a High Court for each State, but Article 231 lets States share one, so A is false.
Key point
Article 214 provides a High Court for each State, but Article 231 allows common High Courts, so not every State has its own.
Remember
Not every State had its own High Court; Article 231 allows a common one.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring Article 231 and the shared High Court arrangement.
- Assuming constitutional provision means every State actually has its own court.
- Mixing High Courts with Union Territory jurisdictions.
Exam tip
Article 214 says 'for each State'; Article 231 says two or more States may share one.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Articles 214 and 231
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity (High Court)