Which of the following are included in the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?

Correct Option

The original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, as defined under Article 131 of the Indian Constitution, primarily deals with disputes of a federal character. It exclusively covers:

• A dispute between the Government of India and one or more States.
• A dispute between two or more States.

This jurisdiction is exclusive, meaning no other court can entertain such disputes. The dispute must involve a question of law or fact on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.

Incorrect Options

Statement 2: Disputes regarding elections to either House of the Parliament or the Legislature of a State do not fall under the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. These matters are typically adjudicated by the High Courts under specific electoral laws, such as the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Supreme Court exercises appellate jurisdiction over such High Court decisions, not original jurisdiction.

Statement 3: A dispute between the Government of India and a Union Territory is not covered under Article 131. Union Territories are administered by the Central Government, and therefore, any disagreements involving them do not qualify as federal disputes between independent units in the same manner as those between the Centre and a State, or between two or more States.