Which of the following disputes falls under the Supreme Court's exclusive original jurisdiction as per Article 131 of the Indian Constitution?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Disputes between Centre and one of more States.
Under Article 131, the Supreme Court has Original Jurisdiction, meaning it acts as the court of first instance for federal disputes. This jurisdiction is exclusive, implying no other court can hear these cases. It covers legal disputes between the Government of India and one or more States, or between two or more States. This power is essential for maintaining the federal balance, ensuring that conflicts between different units of the Indian federation are resolved by the highest judicial authority.
Other Options:
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Inter-State water disputes: These are excluded from Article 131; they are handled by specific tribunals under Article 262.
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Election disputes of MPs and MLAs: These fall under the original jurisdiction of High Courts as per the Representation of the People Act.
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Appeals against High Court decisions: This falls under the Supreme Court's Appellate Jurisdiction (Articles 132-134), not its Original Jurisdiction.