Constitutional Bench of Supreme Court
A Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court is a bench that consists of a minimum of five judges who hear and decide important constitutional matters. These matters are of significant public importance and involve questions of law that need to be interpreted or clarified by the Supreme Court. The Constitutional Bench is empowered to interpret the Constitution and provide authoritative judgments on constitutional issues.

The main purpose of having a Constitutional Bench is to ensure consistency and uniformity in the interpretation of the Constitution. It helps in resolving disputes and maintaining the supremacy of the Constitution. The decisions of the Constitutional Bench are binding on all other benches of the Supreme Court.

Types of Benches in Supreme Court

1. Constitutional Bench: As discussed above, a Constitutional Bench consists of a minimum of five judges and hears important constitutional matters. It is responsible for interpreting and clarifying the provisions of the Constitution.

2. Division Bench: A Division Bench is composed of two judges and is responsible for hearing appeals against the judgments of High Courts or other subordinate courts. It is the most common type of bench in the Supreme Court.

3. Full Bench: A Full Bench refers to a bench in which all the judges of the Supreme Court sit together to hear a case. This usually happens in cases of exceptional importance or cases that require the consideration of a large number of judges. The decision of a Full Bench carries great weight and is considered authoritative.

4. Special Bench: A Special Bench is constituted when a case involves complex legal issues or when there is a need for a larger bench to decide a particular matter. The Chief Justice of India has the authority to constitute a Special Bench.

5. Single Bench: A Single Bench consists of only one judge and is responsible for hearing routine matters or matters of lesser significance. Single Benches are generally constituted for matters that do not require the consideration of a larger bench.

In conclusion, the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court is a bench that consists of a minimum of five judges and deals with important constitutional matters. There are various types of benches in the Supreme Court, including the Division Bench, Full Bench, Special Bench, and Single Bench, each with its own specific purpose and jurisdiction. These different benches ensure the efficient functioning of the Supreme Court and the proper administration of justice.