UPSC Prelims 2008 Q27: Indian Polity – Judiciary
How many High Courts in India have jurisdiction over more than one State (Union Territories
not included)?
- (a) 2
- (b) 3
- (c) 4
- (d) 5
Answer: (b) 3
Explanation
High Courts with jurisdiction over more than one State
Most Indian High Courts serve a single state, but a few have multi-state jurisdiction (excluding Union Territories).
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Guwahati High Court | Covers multiple North-Eastern states |
| Punjab and Haryana High Court | Covers both Punjab and Haryana |
| Bombay High Court | Covers both Maharashtra and Goa |
Counting multi-state High Courts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total count (excluding UTs) | 3 High Courts — Guwahati, Punjab & Haryana, and Bombay |
| Most High Courts | Serve only a single State |
Answer: (b) 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 2 undercounts the actual number of multi-state High Courts.
- (b) CORRECT. 3 High Courts — Guwahati, Punjab & Haryana, and Bombay — have jurisdiction over more than one state.
- (c) Incorrect. 4 overstates the correct count.
- (d) Incorrect. 5 also overstates the correct count.
Key point
Three High Courts have jurisdiction over more than one State (excluding UTs): Guwahati (multiple North-Eastern states), Punjab and Haryana, and Bombay (Maharashtra and Goa).
Remember
3 High Courts in India have jurisdiction over more than one State: Guwahati, Punjab and Haryana, and Bombay.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting one of the three multi-state High Courts, especially the Bombay High Court's Maharashtra-Goa jurisdiction.
- Confusing a High Court's jurisdiction over a Union Territory (which doesn't count here) with jurisdiction over a second State.
- Not knowing the Guwahati High Court's broad North-Eastern coverage.
Exam tip
Three multi-state High Courts (excluding UTs): Guwahati, Punjab & Haryana, and Bombay (Maharashtra + Goa).
Sources
- Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India — High Courts of India and their territorial jurisdiction
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity (High Court)