List of High Courts in India – Jurisdictions & Locations

High Courts in India

India, with its federal structure, has a well-defined and independent judicial system. The High Courts play a crucial role in upholding the Constitution and delivering justice at the state level. In this blog, we bring you a detailed list of High Courts in India, their jurisdictions, and key facts you must know.

What is a High Court?

A High Court is the principal civil court of original jurisdiction in a state or union territory. However, it also has appellate jurisdiction over the lower courts. High Courts are constitutional courts, established under Article 214 of the Constitution of India.

Total Number of High Courts in India

India has 25 High Courts, with some courts having jurisdiction over more than one state or union territory.

Static GK Notes and Exam Support by Rohit Academy:

Rohit Academy offers simplified Static GK notes designed for easy comprehension, ideal for competitive exams such as UPSC, SSC, banking, railways, and state-level tests. Free study resources are available to support students across these exams. Some frequently asked questions related to this topic are provided below, which are very important for exam preparation. Check Rohit Academy’s official website or platform for access.

Complete List of High Courts in India

Below is the updated list of the 25 High Courts in India, including their establishment years, jurisdictions, and principal seats:

List of High Courts in India PDF

Key Facts About High Courts in India

• Oldest High Courts: The Calcutta High Court is the oldest (1862).

• Newest High Courts: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana High Courts, established in 2019.

• Largest High Court: Allahabad High Court with 160 sanctioned judges.

• Smallest High Court: Sikkim High Court with 3 sanctioned judges.

• Common High Courts: Some High Courts serve multiple states/UTs, like Bombay (Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu) and Gauhati (Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh).

• The Gauhati High Court has the largest jurisdiction covering multiple Northeastern states.

• Total Sanctioned Judges: Approximately 1,100 across all High Courts (as per Department of Justice data).
• Some High Courts have multiple benches, like in Lucknow, Madurai, Nagpur, etc.
• High Court judges are appointed by the President of India in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the state’s Governor. The retirement age for High Court judges is 62 years.

Constitutional Provisions Related to High Courts

• Article 214: Establishment of High Courts.

• Article 226: Power of High Courts to issue writs.

• Article 230: Extension of jurisdiction to Union Territories.

Role and Powers of High Courts

High Courts in India have extensive powers, including:

• Original Jurisdiction: Hearing cases like writ petitions for fundamental rights violations.
• Appellate Jurisdiction: Reviewing decisions from lower courts.
• Supervisory Jurisdiction: Overseeing subordinate courts within their jurisdiction.
• Judicial Review: Ensuring laws and executive actions align with the Constitution.

Why This Matters for UPSC Aspirants

For UPSC and other competitive exam aspirants, understanding the structure and functioning of High Courts is crucial for the Indian Polity and Governance section. Key topics to focus on include:

• Establishment and jurisdiction of High Courts.
• Role in upholding constitutional values.
• Differences between High Courts and the Supreme Court.
• Recent judicial reforms and judge appointments.

You Can Also Visit:

Official Websites:

By clicking the following link, you can visit the official website of the respective organization.

• NCERT
• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
• Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
• Railway Requirement Board (RRB
• Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC)
• Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UPSSSC)
• Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC)
• Public Service Commission, West Bengal (WBPSC)
• West Bengal Police Recruitment Board (WBPRB)
• Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB)

Frequently Asked Questions on High Courts in India

Here are some frequently asked questions related to High Courts in India, commonly asked in exams like SSC, UPSC, State PSCs, Railway, and Judiciary exams:

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