Question

Compare the powers of Indian and American Supreme Courts.

Answer 1

Sr. No.	Aspect	Indian Supreme Courts	American Supreme Courts
1.	Constitutional Basis	Powers derived from a written Constitution (Articles 124–147).	Powers derived from a brief Constitution, with broad interpretation developed through precedents.
2.	Judicial Review	Judicial review is limited to the Constitution, subject to the Basic Structure Doctrine (e.g., the Kesavananda Bharati case).	Judicial review is broader, based on the Due Process clause (e.g., Marbury v. Madison, 1803), and laws can be struck down if unjust or unfair.
3.	Writ Jurisdiction	Can issue writs (Articles 32 and 226) for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.	Writs like habeas corpus exist, but the power to issue constitutional writs is not as direct.
4.	Role in Law-making	Cannot make laws but can interpret them; can declare constitutional amendments invalid if they violate the basic structure.	Interpretation of laws can lead to policy shifts, sometimes called judicial activism.
5.	Final Authority	Both are the final interpreters of their Constitutions.	Decisions are binding on all lower courts.