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UPSC Prelims 2014 · Polity · Judiciary
The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its
- (a) advisory jurisdiction
- (b) appellate jurisdiction
- (c) original jurisdiction
- (d) writ jurisdiction
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) original jurisdiction
Art. 131: disputes between the Centre and States, or between States, go to the Supreme Court exclusively and originally.
The idea
Art. 131 is exclusive (no other court), for disputes involving a legal right, and only between governments — not private parties. It does not cover disputes from pre-Constitution treaties, or inter-State water disputes (Art. 262 lets Parliament exclude them).
Why the others are wrong
(a) Advisory jurisdiction (Art. 143) is the President asking for an opinion, not a dispute being decided.
(b) Appellate means hearing appeals from High Courts.
(d) Writ jurisdiction (Art. 32) enforces Fundamental Rights.
The trap
Writ jurisdiction also reaches the SC directly, which makes (d) tempting. Writs are for rights; government-vs-government disputes are original jurisdiction.
🔒 SC jurisdiction: original (131) · writ (32) · appellate (132–136) · advisory (143) · court of record (129). Centre vs State = Art. 131.