UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Notes  >  Indian Polity for UPSC CSE  >  Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review

Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

In the realm of legal scrutiny, a judge examines the lawfulness of decisions made by public bodies—a process akin to assessing the journey, not just the destinationJudicial reviews, in essence, delve into the how rather than the right or wrong of the what. 

Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE

Judicial Review

Judicial review is the process wherein the judiciary scrutinizes the executive, legislative, or administrative actions of a government. Through this process, a court can invalidate laws, acts, or governmental actions that contradict a higher authority. It acts as a check and balance within the separation of powers, allowing the judiciary to oversee and limit the actions of the legislative and executive branches when they overstep their authority. The application and scope of judicial review vary between jurisdictions and legal systems.            Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE

Principles of Review

  • Judicial review ensures that public bodies' actions adhere to the powers granted by legislation.
  • The principle of ultra vires is a crucial aspect of judicial review, preventing actions beyond authorized powers.
  • Procedural fairness is a key consideration in judicial decisions made during administrative acts under review.

Question for Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review
Try yourself:
What is the purpose of judicial review?
View Solution


Power of Judicial Review

In several instances, the Supreme Court has underscored the genuine significance of the power of Judicial Review in our country.                                                      Power of Judicial ReviewPower of Judicial Review

 The court has made specific observations on this matter, emphasizing its authentic importance:-

  • In India, the Constitution reigns supreme, demanding statutory alignment with its principles for validity.
  • Judicial review, a pivotal judicial duty, assesses the constitutionality of laws, particularly concerning Fundamental Rights.
  • The judiciary acts as a vigilant guardian of these rights, as explicitly outlined in the Constitution.
  • Every government branch, including the judiciary, derives authority from and operates within constitutional limits.
  • Judges, entrusted with upholding the Constitution, play a crucial role in maintaining a balance of power.
  • The inclusion of judicial review provisions in the Constitution reflects the wisdom of the founding fathers.
  • These provisions support federalism, protect citizens' rights, and adapt the Constitution to changing needs.
  • Judicial review is an integral part of constitutional interpretation, ensuring a healthy and adaptable legal framework.

Question for Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review
Try yourself:
What is the constitutional provision that grants the Supreme Court the power to grant special leave to appeal from any court or tribunal, excluding military tribunals?
View Solution


Constitutional Provisions for Judicial Review

While the term 'Judicial Review' is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, various Articles expressly grant the power of judicial review to both the Supreme Court and High Courts.         Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review | Indian Polity for UPSC CSEConstitution of India

The following provisions elaborate on this authority :-

  • Article 13: Declares null and void any laws inconsistent with or derogatory to Fundamental Rights.
  • Article 32: Ensures the right to approach the Supreme Court for Fundamental Rights enforcement, granting the power to issue directions, orders, or writs.
  • Article 131: Grants the Supreme Court original jurisdiction in center-state and inter-state disputes.
  • Article 132: Provides the Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction in constitutional cases.
  • Article 133: Outlines the Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction in civil cases.
  • Article 134: Specifies the Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction in criminal cases.
  • Article 134-A: Addresses the certification for appeal to the Supreme Court from High Courts.
  • Article 135: Empowers the Supreme Court with the jurisdiction and powers of the former Federal Court under pre-constitution laws.
  • Article 136: Authorizes the Supreme Court to grant special leave to appeal from any court or tribunal, excluding military tribunals.
  • Article 143: Allows the President to seek the Supreme Court's opinion on legal questions and pre-constitution matters.
  • Article 226: Grants High Courts the authority to issue directions, orders, or writs for Fundamental Rights enforcement and other purposes.
  • Article 227: Provides High Courts with the power of superintendence over all courts and tribunals within their territorial jurisdictions, excluding military courts.
  • Article 245: Addresses the territorial extent of laws by Parliament and State Legislatures.
  • Article 246: Deals with the subject matter of laws by Parliament and State Legislatures (Union List, State List, and Concurrent List).
  • Articles 251 and 254: Resolve conflicts between central and state laws, giving precedence to central laws.
  • Article 372: Deals with the continuation of pre-constitution laws.

Question for Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review
Try yourself:
What is the purpose of judicial review?
View Solution


Scope of Judicial Review

The constitutional validity of a legislative enactment or executive order can be contested in the Supreme Court or High Courts based on three grounds:-

(a) Violation of Fundamental Rights (Part III), 

(b) Exceeding the authority of the framing authority, and

 (c) Conflict with constitutional provisions.

Expanding Judicial Review

Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review | Indian Polity for UPSC CSEExpanding Judicial Review

  • The scope of judicial review in India is narrower than in the USA.
  • The American Constitution, while not explicitly mentioning judicial review, relies on 'due process of law.'
  • The Indian Constitution emphasizes 'procedure established by law' rather than 'due process of law.'
  • 'Due process of law' in the USA grants the Supreme Court broad authority, allowing it to declare laws void on both substantive and procedural grounds.
  • In India, the Supreme Court focuses solely on the substantive question of whether a law falls within the authority's powers.
  • The Indian Supreme Court does not assess the reasonableness, suitability, or policy implications of a law during the judicial review process.

Question for Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review
Try yourself:
What is the purpose of judicial review?
View Solution


Judicial Review of the Ninth Schedule

The Ninth Schedule comprises a compilation of central and state laws immune to legal challenges, introduced through the enactment of the Constitution (First Amendment) Act in 1951. 

Reviewing Ninth Schedule JudiciallyReviewing Ninth Schedule Judicially

  • Article 31-B Protection

    • Shields acts and regulations in the Ninth Schedule from challenges based on Fundamental Rights violations.
    • Added by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1951.
  • Ninth Schedule Evolution

    • Originally had 13 items in 1951, now comprises 282.
    • State legislature acts focus on land reforms, while Parliament deals with various matters.
  • Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)

    • Ruled that acts in the Ninth Schedule are challengeable if they violate the basic structure of the constitution.
  • Waman Rao Case (1989)

    • Clarified that acts added after April 24, 1973, are valid if they don't harm the basic structure.
  • I.R. Coelho Case (2007)

    • Reaffirmed that laws in the Ninth Schedule are not immune to judicial review.
    • Emphasized judicial review as a constitutional 'basic feature.'
    • Laws added after April 24, 1973, can be challenged in court if they violate Fundamental Rights or the basic structure of the constitution.

Question for Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review
Try yourself:
Which laws can be challenged if they damage the basic structure of the Constitution?
View Solution


Conclusions from the Supreme Court Judgment:

  1. Validation of Laws in Ninth Schedule

    • A law affecting rights in Part III may or may not violate the basic structure.
    • Judicial review is invoked to invalidate such laws, considering the direct impact and effect.
  2. Individual Assessment of Constitutional Amendments

    • Each new constitutional amendment, following Kesavananda Bharati and Indira Gandhi cases, requires individual scrutiny.
    • The actual impact on rights in Part III determines its validity.
  3. Testing Amendments Post-April 24, 1973

    • Amendments to the Constitution post-April 24, 1973, affecting the Ninth Schedule, must be tested against the Constitution's basic features.
    • Even if added by an amendment, laws can be challenged if they damage the basic structure.

Supreme Court of IndiaSupreme Court of India

   4. Justification for Constitutional Protection

  • Protection for laws in the Ninth Schedule through Constitutional Amendments requires constitutional adjudication.
  • Assessment includes considering the nature and extent of Fundamental Right infringement, applying the "rights test" and the "essence of the right" test.

5. Limitations on Challenging Previously Upheld Laws

  • If the Court has upheld the validity of a Ninth Schedule law previously, it cannot be challenged again based on the principles declared in this judgment.
  • However, laws violating Part III rights added post-April 24, 1973, are subject to challenge for damaging the basic structure.

6. Immunity for Finalized Actions

  • Actions and transactions resulting from the impugned Acts are not open to challenge.

Question for Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review
Try yourself:
How many acts and regulations were omitted from the Ninth Schedule by the Forty-Fourth Amendment (1978)?
View Solution

The number of acts and regulations included in the Ninth Schedule before and after April 24, 1973 are clear from the following image:- Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE

Note: Entries 87, 92, and 130 have been omitted by the Forty-Fourth Amendment (1978). 

The document Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE is a part of the UPSC Course Indian Polity for UPSC CSE.
All you need of UPSC at this link: UPSC
150 videos|611 docs|204 tests

Top Courses for UPSC

FAQs on Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review - Indian Polity for UPSC CSE

1. What is judicial review?
Ans. Judicial review is the power of the courts to review and determine the constitutionality of laws, acts, or governmental actions. It allows the judiciary to interpret and apply the Constitution, ensuring that the actions of the legislative and executive branches are in accordance with the principles and provisions of the Constitution.
2. What is the power of judicial review?
Ans. The power of judicial review allows the judiciary to declare laws, acts, or governmental actions as unconstitutional if they violate the provisions of the Constitution. This power grants the courts the authority to strike down or nullify such laws, acts, or actions, thereby safeguarding the fundamental rights and principles enshrined in the Constitution.
3. What are the constitutional provisions for judicial review?
Ans. The constitutional provisions for judicial review vary from country to country. In the United States, for example, the power of judicial review is derived from the implied powers of the judiciary as interpreted by the Supreme Court. In India, the power of judicial review is explicitly mentioned in Article 13 of the Constitution, which declares that any law inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental rights shall be void.
4. What is the scope of judicial review?
Ans. The scope of judicial review refers to the extent or range of matters that can be subjected to judicial review. It includes the review of legislative acts, executive actions, administrative decisions, and even constitutional amendments. The courts examine whether these actions are in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution and have the authority to strike them down if they are found to be unconstitutional.
5. What is the judicial review of the Ninth Schedule?
Ans. The Ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution was created to protect certain laws from judicial review. However, in 2007, the Supreme Court of India ruled that even laws included in the Ninth Schedule can be subject to judicial review if they violate the basic structure of the Constitution. This landmark judgment expanded the scope of judicial review and reaffirmed the judiciary's role as the guardian of the Constitution.
150 videos|611 docs|204 tests
Download as PDF
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Related Searches

study material

,

mock tests for examination

,

Objective type Questions

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

video lectures

,

MCQs

,

Viva Questions

,

Important questions

,

Sample Paper

,

Semester Notes

,

Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE

,

practice quizzes

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

past year papers

,

Summary

,

Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE

,

pdf

,

Exam

,

Free

,

ppt

,

Laxmikanth Summary: Judicial Review | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE

,

Extra Questions

;