The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and guards the Indian Constitution. With reference to the Supreme Court of India, answer the following:
What is the composition of the Supreme Court? Why is it called the Court of Record?
Topic: Composition and Court of Record
Answer
Composition: the Supreme Court consists of the Chief Justice of India and not more than 33 other judges (34 in all), the number being fixed by Parliament. They are appointed by the President and hold office until the age of 65.
It is called a Court of Record for two reasons: (1) Its judgements and proceedings are recorded and preserved for perpetual memory, and they may be cited as PRECEDENTS in all the subordinate courts, whose decisions are bound by them. (2) As a Court of Record it has the power to punish for CONTEMPT of court, by fine or imprisonment.
Three marks: one for the composition and two for the Court of Record. Both halves of "Court of Record" must appear — records as precedents AND the power to punish for contempt. Giving only the first is the commonest way to lose a mark on this recurring question. On numbers, the sanctioned strength is now 34 judges including the Chief Justice; older textbooks say 31, so state that Parliament fixes it, which is always true.