Question

Examine the role of the Supreme Court in the Federal System of India in two points.

Answer 1

The Supreme Court of India functions as the guardian of the Constitution and the ultimate arbiter of power distribution between the central and state governments. Its two primary roles are:

1. Arbitration of Disputes: It has exclusive original jurisdiction to settle disputes that arise between the Central (Union) government and one or more State governments, or between different State governments themselves. This prevents conflict between federal units from escalating and ensures resolution within a legal framework.
2. Judicial Review and Constitutional Interpretation: The Court acts as the final interpreter of the Constitution. Through the power of judicial review, it ensures that laws passed by either the Parliament (Centre) or State Assemblies do not violate constitutional provisions or overstep the boundaries of their respective powers, thereby upholding the federal balance.