Supreme Court of India: What it does and why it matters

The Supreme Court of India decides the biggest legal questions that affect the whole country. It protects fundamental rights, interprets the Constitution, and settles disputes between states and the Centre. If you want to understand a judgment or learn how the Court works, this tag collects plain, useful pieces that cut through jargon.

How the Court works

The Court has different kinds of power. Under Article 32 it hears petitions that claim a violation of fundamental rights. It also has original jurisdiction in disputes between governments, appellate jurisdiction for appeals from High Courts, and advisory power when the President asks for help on a legal question. Cases are heard by benches of judges — sometimes two or three, sometimes five or more for big constitutional issues.

Not every case starts in the Supreme Court. Most matters come up after a High Court decision. A special route called a Special Leave Petition (SLP) lets the Court decide if it will take a case. The Court can review its own decisions and there’s even a rare curative petition when a final order seems to need correction.

Landmark rulings and what they changed

Some judgments change how the country runs. A few examples you’ll see discussed here: the basic-structure idea that limits Parliament’s power, wider protections for personal liberty and fair procedure, the recognition of privacy as a fundamental right, and rulings that struck down laws discriminating against LGBTQ people. Each of these rulings has practical effects — on laws, policing, jobs, and everyday life.

Appointments to the bench are handled by the collegium system, a group of senior judges who recommend names. That process, along with how benches are formed and how cases move, often appears in news and debates. The Court now uses e-filing and streams many hearings live, so following major cases is easier than before.

If you follow this tag, you’ll find short explainers of orders, simple guides on legal terms, and practical tips on watching hearings or reading judgments. We avoid legalese and focus on what the ruling means for people, not just the arguments in court.

Want to raise a problem before the Court? Public Interest Litigation (PIL) lets people or groups ask the Court to address public wrongs without being personally harmed. For private disputes, you usually start at lower courts or High Courts. Legal aid offices help those who can’t afford lawyers. And remember: good facts and clear paperwork matter more than emotion in court.

Keep an eye here for clear summaries of big orders, quick explainers of legal terms you see in headlines, and practical steps if a judgment affects your rights. The aim is straightforward: help you understand the Supreme Court without the confusion.