Hierarchy of Courts in India - Complete Structure & Types
भारत में न्यायालयों का पदानुक्रम
Indian Judiciary Overview
The Indian judiciary is a single integrated system with a hierarchical structure established under the Constitution of India. It is one of the largest judicial systems in the world, with over 4.5 crore cases pending across all levels. Understanding what is judiciary and the hierarchy of courts in India is essential for anyone navigating the legal system.
Constitutional Basis
The Indian judiciary derives its authority from the Constitution of India. The Supreme Court is established under Article 124, High Courts under Article 214, and District Courts under Article 233. The judiciary is independent of the executive and legislature, forming the third pillar of democracy.
Court Hierarchy - Visual Structure
1 Court · New Delhi · 34 Judges
25 High Courts · State Level
~670 District Courts · District Level
CJM, JMFC, Civil Judge, Family Courts · Taluka/Town Level
Key Features of Indian Judiciary
- Single Integrated System - Unlike the USA, India has a unified judiciary where all courts follow the same hierarchy
- Independent Judiciary - Judges are appointed through a collegium system, not elected
- Judicial Review - Courts can strike down unconstitutional laws (Article 13)
- Three-Tier Structure - Supreme Court at apex, High Courts at state level, District and Subordinate Courts at the grassroots
- Specialised Tribunals - NCLT, ITAT, CAT, CESTAT handle domain-specific disputes
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the highest court in the country, established on 26 January 1950 under Article 124 of the Constitution. It is located in New Delhi and consists of 34 judges (1 Chief Justice of India + 33 other judges).
Supreme Court at a Glance
- Established: 26 January 1950
- Location: Tilak Marg, New Delhi
- Composition: 1 CJI + 33 Judges (total 34)
- First CJI: Justice H.J. Kania
- Constitutional Provision: Part V, Chapter IV (Articles 124-147)
Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
| Jurisdiction | Article | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Original Jurisdiction | Article 131 | Disputes between Government of India and one or more States, or between two or more States. Only the Supreme Court can hear such cases. |
| Writ Jurisdiction | Article 32 | Enforcement of Fundamental Rights. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called this the "heart and soul of the Constitution." Writs: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, Quo Warranto. |
| Appellate Jurisdiction | Articles 132-134 | Appeals from High Courts in constitutional, civil, and criminal matters. Includes appeals by certificate and by special leave. |
| Advisory Jurisdiction | Article 143 | President of India can seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on any question of law or fact of public importance. |
| Special Leave Petition (SLP) | Article 136 | The Supreme Court may grant special leave to appeal from any judgment, decree, order, or sentence by any court or tribunal in India (except military tribunals). |
High Courts of India
India has 25 High Courts established under Article 214 of the Constitution. Each state has a High Court, and some High Courts have jurisdiction over more than one state or Union Territory. High Courts have original, appellate, and supervisory jurisdiction over all subordinate courts within their territory.
All 25 High Courts of India
| # | High Court | Jurisdiction | Established | Case Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allahabad High Court | Uttar Pradesh | 1866 | Check Status |
| 2 | Andhra Pradesh High Court | Andhra Pradesh | 2019 | - |
| 3 | Bombay High Court | Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu | 1862 | - |
| 4 | Calcutta High Court | West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 1862 | - |
| 5 | Chhattisgarh High Court | Chhattisgarh | 2000 | - |
| 6 | Delhi High Court | Delhi | 1966 | Check Status |
| 7 | Gauhati High Court | Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh | 1948 | - |
| 8 | Gujarat High Court | Gujarat | 1960 | - |
| 9 | Himachal Pradesh High Court | Himachal Pradesh | 1971 | - |
| 10 | Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court | J&K, Ladakh | 1928 | - |
| 11 | Jharkhand High Court | Jharkhand | 2000 | - |
| 12 | Karnataka High Court | Karnataka | 1884 | - |
| 13 | Kerala High Court | Kerala, Lakshadweep | 1956 | - |
| 14 | Madras High Court | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry | 1862 | Check Status |
| 15 | Madhya Pradesh High Court | Madhya Pradesh | 1956 | - |
| 16 | Manipur High Court | Manipur | 2013 | - |
| 17 | Meghalaya High Court | Meghalaya | 2013 | - |
| 18 | Orissa High Court | Odisha | 1948 | - |
| 19 | Patna High Court | Bihar | 1916 | Check Status |
| 20 | Punjab & Haryana High Court | Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh | 1947 | Check Status |
| 21 | Rajasthan High Court | Rajasthan | 1949 | - |
| 22 | Sikkim High Court | Sikkim | 1975 | - |
| 23 | Telangana High Court | Telangana | 2019 | - |
| 24 | Tripura High Court | Tripura | 2013 | - |
| 25 | Uttarakhand High Court | Uttarakhand | 2000 | - |
Jurisdiction of High Courts
- Original Jurisdiction - Writ petitions under Article 226 for enforcement of fundamental rights and other legal rights
- Appellate Jurisdiction - Appeals from District Courts in both civil and criminal matters
- Supervisory Jurisdiction - Power of superintendence over all subordinate courts under Article 227
- Revisional Jurisdiction - Can revise orders of subordinate courts under Section 115 CPC / Section 482 CrPC
- Company Law Jurisdiction - Certain High Courts hear company law matters (though most have shifted to NCLT)
District & Subordinate Courts
District Courts are the backbone of the Indian judicial system, handling the vast majority of cases. India has approximately 670 District Courts across the country. These courts are established under Article 233 of the Constitution and operate under the supervisory control of the respective High Court.
Types of Courts at District Level
| Court | Type | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|
| District & Sessions Court | Civil + Criminal | Highest court at district level. As District Court hears civil cases of high value. As Sessions Court tries criminal cases punishable with imprisonment exceeding 7 years, including death penalty cases. |
| Civil Judge (Senior Division) | Civil | Civil suits where the value exceeds the pecuniary limit of Junior Division (typically above Rs. 3 lakhs, varies by state). |
| Civil Judge (Junior Division) | Civil | Civil suits up to the prescribed pecuniary limit. Also functions as Judicial Magistrate First Class in many states. |
| Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) | Criminal | Highest magistrate at district level. Can try offences punishable up to 7 years imprisonment. Supervises all JMFCs in the district. |
| Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) | Criminal | Can try offences punishable up to 3 years imprisonment and impose fine up to Rs. 10,000. Handles bail applications and remand proceedings. |
| Metropolitan Magistrate | Criminal | Equivalent to JMFC in metropolitan areas (cities with population over 1 million). Same powers as JMFC. |
| Family Court | Civil (Family) | Established under the Family Courts Act, 1984. Handles matrimonial disputes - divorce, maintenance, child custody, adoption, and domestic violence cases. |
| Labour Court | Civil (Labour) | Established under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Handles disputes relating to wages, working conditions, retrenchment, and unfair labour practices. |
Track Your District Court Case
Search case status across all District and Subordinate Courts in India:
Search Case Status on Vakeel360Specialised Tribunals
India has established several specialised tribunals to reduce the burden on regular courts and provide expert adjudication in specific domains. These tribunals function as quasi-judicial bodies with powers similar to civil courts.
CAT - Central Administrative Tribunal
- Established: 1985 (under Article 323-A)
- Benches: 17 across India
- Jurisdiction: Service matters of Central Government employees
- Appeals to: High Court
NCLT - National Company Law Tribunal
- Established: 2016 (under Companies Act, 2013)
- Benches: 15 across India
- Jurisdiction: Company law disputes, IBC insolvency proceedings
- Appeals to: NCLAT, then Supreme Court
ITAT - Income Tax Appellate Tribunal
- Established: 1941 (oldest tribunal in India)
- Benches: 13 across India
- Jurisdiction: Appeals against orders of Income Tax authorities
- Appeals to: High Court on substantial question of law
CESTAT - Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal
- Established: 1982
- Benches: Principal Bench in Delhi + regional benches
- Jurisdiction: Appeals in customs, excise, and service tax matters
- Appeals to: High Court or Supreme Court
Frequently Asked Questions
How many courts are there in India?
India has 1 Supreme Court, 25 High Courts, approximately 670 District Courts, and thousands of subordinate courts including CJM courts, JMFC courts, Civil Judge courts, Family Courts, and Labour Courts. In addition, there are specialised tribunals like NCLT (15 benches), ITAT (13 benches), CAT (17 benches), and CESTAT that handle specific types of cases.
What is the difference between District Court and High Court?
District Courts are trial courts that hear cases at the district level as courts of original jurisdiction - this is where most cases are first filed and evidence is presented. High Courts are superior courts that primarily hear appeals from District Courts and have supervisory jurisdiction over all subordinate courts in their state. High Courts also have original writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution for enforcement of fundamental rights and other legal rights.
What is the hierarchy of criminal courts in India?
The criminal court hierarchy from top to bottom is: Supreme Court > High Court > Court of Session (District level) > Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) > Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) > Judicial Magistrate Second Class > Executive Magistrate. In metropolitan areas (cities with population over 1 million), Metropolitan Magistrates replace Judicial Magistrates.
What types of cases does the Supreme Court hear?
The Supreme Court hears cases under five jurisdictions: (1) Original jurisdiction - disputes between states or Centre and states under Article 131, (2) Writ jurisdiction - fundamental rights enforcement under Article 32, (3) Appellate jurisdiction - civil and criminal appeals from High Courts, (4) Advisory jurisdiction - President's reference under Article 143, and (5) Special Leave Petition (SLP) - appeal against any court or tribunal under Article 136.
Reviewed by Vakeel360 Legal Team · Last updated: April 2026 · Verified against the Constitution of India and current judicial structure.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a qualified advocate for advice specific to your situation. See our Disclaimer.