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High Courts ICSE Class 10 Civics Notes and Answers

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History & CivicsICSE Class 10 · The High Courts

The High Court: Composition, Appointment, Jurisdiction, Judicial Review and Writs (ICSE Class 10 Civics)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Each High Court has a Chief Justice and other judges whose number the President decides. A judge must be a citizen with 10 years as a judicial officer or as a High Court advocate; judges retire at 62. The Court has original, appellate and revisory (supervisory) jurisdiction, judicial review and the power to issue writs under Article 226, which is wider than the Supreme Court's writ power.

Notice that the High Court has three kinds of jurisdiction and can issue all five writs under Article 226, which is wider than the Supreme Court's writ power.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand The High Court: Composition, Jurisdiction and Writs

1. Composition. A Chief Justice and such other judges as the President fixes from time to time. The Constitution gives no fixed number. Additional judges may be appointed for up to two years to clear arrears, and acting judges when a judge is absent. Parliament may set up a common High Court for two or more states.

2. Qualifications. A citizen of India who has held a judicial office in India for at least 10 years, or has been an advocate of a High Court for at least 10 years. There is no distinguished-jurist route.

3. Appointment and tenure. The President appoints. The Chief Justice is appointed after consulting the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the state; other judges after also consulting the Chief Justice of that High Court. In practice the Supreme Court's collegium recommends names. Judges retire at 62, may resign to the President, can be transferred by the President after consulting the Chief Justice of India, and are removed in the same manner as Supreme Court judges. Salaries are charged on the Consolidated Fund of the state.

4. Original jurisdiction. First hearing of: (i) enforcement of Fundamental Rights and other legal rights by writs (Article 226); (ii) wills, marriage, divorce, company law, admiralty and contempt; (iii) election petitions against MPs and members of the state legislature; (iv) revenue matters; (v) in some High Courts (such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi) civil cases above a set value arising in their original limits. Do not write that the High Court tries all civil or criminal cases first.

5. Appellate jurisdiction. The chief court of appeal in the state. Civil: against District Judges and subordinate judges above a certain value or involving a question of law. Criminal: against conviction by Sessions Judges and Additional Sessions Judges, and sentences of more than seven years by other courts. A death sentence passed by a Sessions Court must be confirmed by the High Court.

6. Revisory (supervisory) jurisdiction. Superintendence over all subordinate courts and tribunals in its territory (not military tribunals). It may call for the record of a case in which no appeal lies and correct a lower court that acted without jurisdiction or illegally. It can transfer a case raising a substantial constitutional question to itself, frames rules for subordinate courts and inspects them.

7. Judicial review and Court of Record. It can declare void a state or Union law, or an executive order, that violates the Constitution (the final word lies with the Supreme Court). Its judgments are recorded, serve as precedents binding on subordinate courts, and it punishes contempt of itself.

8. Writs (Article 226). Habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari and quo warranto. A High Court can issue writs for Fundamental Rights and also for any other purpose, so its writ power is wider than that of the Supreme Court (limited to Fundamental Rights under Article 32).

Quick comparison. Qualification: Supreme Court 5 years judge/10 years advocate/jurist; High Court 10 years judicial office or advocate. Retirement: 65 versus 62. Number: fixed at 1 + 33 versus decided by the President.

The High Court: Composition, Jurisdiction and Writs: key facts

Qualifications
  • Citizen
  • 10 years judicial office or
  • 10 years High Court advocate
  • No jurist route
Two routes.
Tenure
  • Retire at 62
  • Transfer by President
  • Removal like Supreme Court judges
Compare 65.
Jurisdictions
  • Original
  • Appellate
  • Revisory
  • Writs under Article 226
Four.
Court strength
Chief Justice + judges decided by President | Additional judges up to two years
No fixed number.

How to answer The High Court: Composition, Jurisdiction and Writs questions

Expect composition or qualifications (3 marks), jurisdictions (4-6 marks) and comparisons with the Supreme Court (4 marks).

  1. 1Say that the number of judges is not fixed.
  2. 2Give original jurisdiction with specific examples; avoid all cases.
  3. 3For revisory, say it is over subordinate courts.
  4. 4For a comparison, write matching points: qualification, age, jurisdiction.

The High Court: Composition, Jurisdiction and Writs in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Supervising schools

Suppose a district education board inspects every school in the district, takes the record of any case decided by a school disciplinary committee and corrects a decision that broke the rules.

Which High Court power does this resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The board supervises lower bodies.
  2. It calls for records.
  3. It corrects illegal decisions.

Answer: It resembles the revisory or supervisory jurisdiction of a High Court over subordinate courts.

Memory hook: Inspect and correct.

Wider writ power

Imagine a school complaint committee that can hear complaints about only listed rights, while the district office can hear complaints about those rights and any other lawful claim.

Which Indian provision does the district office resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The Supreme Court's writ power is for Fundamental Rights.
  2. The High Court can issue writs for any other purpose also.
  3. Article 226 is wider.

Answer: The district office resembles the High Court under Article 226, whose writ power is wider than that of the Supreme Court.

Memory hook: 226 is wider.

Tricks to remember The High Court: Composition, Jurisdiction and Writs

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • 10-10-62

    Ten years experience, ten years advocate, retire at 62.

    Use it when: High Court judge basics.

  • O-A-R-W

    Original, Appellate, Revisory, Writs.

    Use it when: Jurisdictions.

The High Court: Composition, Jurisdiction and Writs: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Qualifications · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

State the qualifications of a judge of a High Court and his age of retirement. [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Citizen of India (1 mark).
  2. 10 years as judicial officer or advocate (1 mark).
  3. Retires at 62 (1 mark).

Answer: A judge must be a citizen of India who has held a judicial office for at least 10 years or has been a High Court advocate for at least 10 years. He retires at the age of 62.

Example 2: Appointment · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

Who appoints High Court judges and whom must he consult? [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. President appoints (1 mark).
  2. Consults Chief Justice of India, Governor and Chief Justice of the High Court (1 mark).

Answer: The President appoints High Court judges after consulting the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the state and the Chief Justice of that High Court (the Chief Justice of the High Court is appointed after consulting the Chief Justice of India and the Governor).

Example 3: Original jurisdiction · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Describe the original jurisdiction of a High Court. [4]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Writs (1 mark).
  2. Wills, marriage, divorce and similar (1 mark).
  3. Election petitions (1 mark).
  4. Revenue (1 mark).

Answer: A High Court hears certain cases for the first time: writ petitions for enforcing Fundamental Rights and other legal rights under Article 226; matters such as wills, marriage, divorce, company law, admiralty and contempt; election petitions against members of Parliament and the state legislature; and matters of revenue. Some High Courts also try civil cases above a certain value arising in their original limits.

Example 4: Appellate and revisory · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Distinguish between the appellate and the revisory jurisdiction of a High Court. [4]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Appellate: appeals (2 marks).
  2. Revisory: supervision where no appeal (2 marks).

Answer: Under its appellate jurisdiction the High Court hears appeals against decisions of subordinate courts such as District Judges and Sessions Judges. Under its revisory jurisdiction it calls for the record of a case in which no appeal lies and corrects a lower court that acted illegally or beyond its jurisdiction.

Example 5: Case: a High Court order · 6 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Case. A state law is challenged as violating a Fundamental Right. The High Court examines it, finds a conflict and declares it void. (i) Name the power. [1] (ii) Who has the final say? [1] (iii) Under which article might the petitioner have approached the Court? [2] (iv) Why is this power important in a federal system? [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (i) Judicial review (1 mark).
  2. (ii) Supreme Court (1 mark).
  3. (iii) Article 226 (2 marks).
  4. (iv) Keeps legislation within the Constitution (2 marks).

Answer: (i) Judicial review. (ii) The Supreme Court. (iii) Article 226. (iv) In a federation both Union and state legislatures have limited powers, so judicial review keeps both within the Constitution and protects the citizens' rights.

Where students lose marks in The High Court: Composition, Jurisdiction and Writs

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Writing all cases

    Generalising original jurisdiction.

    Wrong working

    The High Court tries all civil cases first.

    Right working

    Only specified matters: writs, wills, marriage, divorce, election petitions and so on.

    Do this: Name examples.

    Usually costs: 2 marks.

  • Mistake: Mixing retirement ages

    Writing 65 for the High Court.

    Wrong working

    High Court judges retire at 65.

    Right working

    62 (65 is for the Supreme Court).

    Do this: 62 and 65.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Adding the jurist route

    Copying the Supreme Court qualification.

    Wrong working

    A distinguished jurist can become a High Court judge.

    Right working

    No such route for High Court judges.

    Do this: Two routes only.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Revisory confusion

    Treating revisory as review of its own judgments.

    Wrong working

    High Court reviews its own judgments.

    Right working

    Revisory means supervision over subordinate courts.

    Do this: Say subordinate.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Use the comparison with the Supreme Court as a tool to avoid confusion.
  • Do not write the High Court tries all cases first.
  • Mention Article 226 whenever writs are asked.

Practice questions on The High Court: Composition, Jurisdiction and Writs

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    What is the retirement age of a High Court judge, and how can he be removed? [2]

    Hint

    62.

    Answer

    A High Court judge retires at 62. He can be removed in the same way as a Supreme Court judge, by an address of both Houses on proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

  2. Q2 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Why is the revisory jurisdiction of a High Court called supervisory? [3]

    Hint

    Superintendence.

    Answer

    Because the High Court has power of superintendence over all subordinate courts and tribunals in its territory. It can call for their records, check whether they acted within their jurisdiction and legally, frame rules for them and inspect them.

  3. Q3 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Compare the High Court and the Supreme Court on qualifications, retirement age and writ power. [4]

    Hint

    Three matching points.

    Answer

    The Supreme Court requires 5 years as a High Court judge, 10 years as an advocate or a distinguished jurist, while a High Court judge needs 10 years of judicial office or as an advocate. Supreme Court judges retire at 65 and High Court judges at 62. The Supreme Court issues writs only for Fundamental Rights; a High Court can do so for any other purpose as well.

  4. Q4 · 5 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    A person convicted by a Sessions Judge and a litigant who lost a civil suit before a District Judge both wish to appeal. Where do they go, and what condition applies to a death sentence? [5]

    Hint

    Death sentence must be confirmed.

    Answer

    In civil cases it hears appeals against decisions of District Judges and subordinate judges in cases above a certain value or involving a question of law. In criminal cases it hears appeals against convictions by Sessions and Additional Sessions Judges and against sentences of more than seven years passed by other courts. A death sentence passed by a Sessions Court must be confirmed by the High Court.

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

    "All civil cases begin in the High Court." Do you agree? Support your answer. [4]

    Hint

    Original jurisdiction is limited.

    Answer

    No. A High Court's original jurisdiction is limited to specific matters such as writs, wills, marriage, divorce, company law, election petitions and revenue, and in some High Courts civil cases above a certain value. Most civil cases begin in the subordinate courts and reach the High Court only on appeal or revision.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Who appoints a High Court judge?Show answer

    The President.

  2. 2.Retirement age?Show answer

    62 years.

  3. 3.Which article gives High Courts writ power?Show answer

    Article 226.

  4. 4.For how long can additional judges be appointed to a High Court?Show answer

    Up to two years.

  5. 5.How many years of judicial office or advocacy are needed?Show answer

    10 years.

  6. 6.Who consults on appointment of a High Court Chief Justice?Show answer

    The Chief Justice of India and the Governor.

The High Court: Composition, Jurisdiction and Writs: frequently asked questions

Is the number of High Court judges fixed?

No, the President decides it from time to time.

Can a High Court issue writs for any purpose?

Yes, under Article 226 it can issue writs for Fundamental Rights and other purposes.

Is a High Court a Court of Record?

Yes; its judgments are precedents and it punishes contempt.

Can one High Court serve two states?

Yes, Parliament may set up a common High Court.