Which one among the following is called the 'original jurisdiction' of the Supreme Court of India?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Hearing and settling disputes between the Indian Union and States and also amongst the States
Original jurisdiction means the cases a court hears first and directly, not on appeal from a lower court. Under Article 131, the Supreme Court alone hears disputes between the Union and one or more States, and between States; no other court can take up such a case.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) Issuing of Writs to protect the Fundamental Rights of the individual — Incorrect. This is the writ jurisdiction under Article 32, a separate head of power that the High Courts also hold under Article 226.
Option (2) Transferring cases from one High Court to another — Incorrect. This is the Supreme Court’s power of transfer under Article 139A.
Option (3) Advising the President on matters of public importance and law — Incorrect. This is the advisory jurisdiction under Article 143.