Indian Polity & Constitution • Topic 4 of 4

Judiciary & Constitutional Bodies

The Supreme Court (Article 124) is the apex court and guardian of the Constitution; High Courts head the judiciary in the states. Independent constitutional bodies include the Election Commission, CAG, UPSC and the Finance Commission.

The court hierarchy

Supreme Court Art 124 · apex · retire at 65 High Courts state level · retire at 62 Subordinate Courts district & lower courts
Single integrated judiciary — one chain from district courts up to the Supreme Court.
Retirement ages (a favourite question). Supreme Court judge: 65. High Court judge: 62.

Independent constitutional bodies

BodyArticleRole
Election Commission324conducts elections
Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG)148audits government accounts
UPSC315recruits for central services
Finance Commission280shares taxes between Centre & States
Attorney General76chief legal adviser to the Government

These are called "constitutional bodies" because they are created directly by the Constitution (unlike NITI Aayog, which is a non-constitutional, executive body).

✅ Solved examples

1. Which article establishes the Supreme Court of India?
Article 124.
2. Which body conducts elections in India?
The Election Commission (Article 324).
3. What is the retirement age of a Supreme Court judge?
65 years.
4. Who audits the accounts of the Union and States?
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG, Article 148).

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. The apex court of India is the?
Article 124.
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—
Supreme Court
2. The Election Commission is set up under which article?
324.
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—
Article 324
3. A High Court judge retires at the age of?
Three less than SC.
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62 years
4. UPSC is established under which article?
315.
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—
Article 315
5. The Finance Commission is constituted under article?
280.
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—
Article 280

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

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