High Courts in India serve as the highest judicial authority at the state level, exercising control over all other subordinate courts within their respective jurisdictions. Established under the Indian Constitution, each state ideally has one High Court, though multiple states or union territories may share a single High Court. As of now, there are 25 High Courts across India. Below is a detailed overview of the High Courts, their structure, roles, and significant functions.
List of High Courts in India
| Name | Year Established | Territorial Jurisdiction | Seat |
| Calcutta | 1862 | West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Kolkata (Bench in Port Blair) |
| Bombay | 1862 | Maharashtra, Goa, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu | Mumbai (Benches in Panaji, Aurangabad, Nagpur) |
| Chennai | 1862 | Tamil Nadu & Puducherry | Chennai (Bench in Madurai) |
| Allahabad | 1866 | Uttar Pradesh | Allahabad (Bench in Lucknow) |
| Karnataka | 1884 | Karnataka | Bengaluru (Benches in Dharwad, Gulbarga) |
| Patna | 1916 | Bihar | Patna |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 1928 | Jammu & Kashmir | Srinagar & Jammu |
| Punjab & Haryana | 1947 | Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Guwahati | 1948 | Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh | Guwahati (Benches in Kohima, Aizawl, Itanagar) |
| Orissa | 1948 | Odisha | Cuttack |
| Rajasthan | 1949 | Rajasthan | Jodhpur (Bench in Jaipur) |
| Madhya Pradesh | 1956 | Madhya Pradesh | Jabalpur (Benches in Indore, Gwalior) |
| Kerala | 1958 | Kerala & Lakshadweep | Ernakulam |
| Gujarat | 1960 | Gujarat | Ahmedabad |
| Delhi | 1966 | Delhi | Delhi |
| Himachal Pradesh | 1966 | Himachal Pradesh | Shimla |
| Sikkim | 1975 | Sikkim | Gangtok |
| Chhattisgarh | 2000 | Chhattisgarh | Bilaspur |
| Uttarakhand | 2000 | Uttarakhand | Nainital |
| Jharkhand | 2000 | Jharkhand | Ranchi |
| Tripura | 2013 | Tripura | Agartala |
| Manipur | 2013 | Manipur | Imphal |
| Meghalaya | 2013 | Meghalaya | Shillong |
| Andhra Pradesh | 2019 | Andhra Pradesh | Amravati |
| Telangana | 2019 | Telangana | Hyderabad |
Key Roles and Powers of the High Courts in India
- Writ Jurisdiction
High Courts have the power to issue writs like habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, and certiorari to safeguard Fundamental Rights and other legal rights. - Power of Superintendence
High Courts exercise control over all lower courts and tribunals within their jurisdiction, ensuring they operate within the legal framework. - Case Transfer
If a case involves constitutional interpretation, a High Court may withdraw it from a lower court, decide on the constitutional question, and return it for resolution. - Consultation on Judicial Appointments
High Courts consult with the Governor on the appointment, posting, and promotion of District Judges and State Judicial Service members. - Control Over Subordinate Courts
High Courts manage the appointment, transfer, and leave of judicial officers in subordinate courts under their jurisdiction. - Original and Appellate Jurisdiction
High Courts hear civil and criminal cases as part of both original and appellate jurisdiction, as stipulated by the Civil and Criminal Procedure Codes.
Appointment and Qualifications of High Court Judges
- Chief Justice Appointment: The Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the President, with input from the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the respective state.
- Other Judges: Other judges are appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor, and the Chief Justice of the High Court.
- Qualifications:
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Should have served as an advocate in any High Court for at least 10 years or have been a judge in subordinate courts for 10 years.
- Tenure: Judges retire at the age of 62, as per the 15th Amendment of the Constitution (earlier set at 60).
Salary Structure of High Court Judges
- Chief Justice: ₹280,000 per month.
- Other Judges: ₹250,000 per month.
Removal Process of High Court Judges
High Court judges can:
- Resign by submitting a letter to the President.
- Be removed by the President if Parliament passes a motion with an absolute majority and a two-thirds majority from members present and voting.
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FAQs on High Courts in India
There are 25 High Courts in India.
The Calcutta High Court, established in 1862, is the oldest High Court.
Punjab and Haryana share the Chandigarh High Court, and the Guwahati High Court serves multiple northeastern states.
The President appoints the Chief Justice of a High Court, consulting the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the respective state.
The judge must be an Indian citizen and have 10 years of experience as an advocate or judge.
High Court judges retire at the age of 62.
Yes, a High Court judge can be transferred by the President to another High Court.
High Courts like Bombay, Madras, Allahabad, Karnataka, and others have additional benches in different cities.
The Calcutta High Court has jurisdiction over West Bengal and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
All High Court judges across India have uniform salaries.
High Courts can issue writs like habeas corpus, mandamus, and certiorari for rights enforcement.
The President determines the number of judges in each High Court.
The retirement age was increased from 60 to 62 years in 1963 by the 15th Amendment.
High Courts can transfer cases with constitutional importance from lower courts.
The Chartered High Courts are the High Courts of Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta, established in 1862.
High Courts assist the Governor in appointing District Judges and other judicial officers.
The Madras High Court published India’s first law journal, the Madras Law Journal, in 1891.
High Courts have authority over subordinate courts and tribunals within their territories.
A High Court judge can be removed by the President if Parliament passes a motion with the required majority.
The latest High Courts are Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, established in 2019.
