Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides High Courts with the power to issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights and for any other purpose?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent -29 April-2025 (shift-2nd)

Explanation

Article 226 of the Indian Constitution grants High Courts the authority to issue writs.
This power is not limited to the enforcement of Fundamental Rights but extends to 'any other purpose,' which includes the enforcement of ordinary legal rights.
This makes the writ jurisdiction of High Courts wider in scope than that of the Supreme Court under Article 32.
The power under Article 226 is discretionary, meaning the High Court can refuse to exercise it, whereas invoking Article 32 is a Fundamental Right in itself.

Option A: Article 368 outlines the powers of the Parliament to amend the Constitution and the procedure for it. It is not related to the judicial power of issuing writs.
Option C: Article 141 states that the law declared by the Supreme Court shall be binding on all courts within the territory of India. It establishes the principle of stare decisis (precedent) but does not grant writ powers.
Option D: Article 32 grants the power to issue writs to the Supreme Court, not the High Courts. It is known as the 'Right to Constitutional Remedies' and is a Fundamental Right itself.

Visual 1: Diagram: A comparative chart showing the key differences between Article 32 and Article 226, highlighting the court (Supreme Court vs. High Court), scope (Fundamental Rights only vs. Fundamental Rights + other purposes), and nature of the right.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Writ Jurisdiction of High Courts under the Indian Constitution as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Writs are a powerful tool for citizens to protect their fundamental and other legal rights against arbitrary actions by the state or public authorities.
Understanding which court to approach (High Court under Art. 226 or Supreme Court under Art. 32) is crucial for effective legal remedy.
The broader jurisdiction of High Courts under Article 226 makes them a more accessible and primary forum for seeking justice for a wide range of grievances, not just violations of fundamental rights.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements in the question: 'High Courts', 'power to issue writs', and 'Fundamental Rights and any other purpose'.
Recall the articles of the Indian Constitution related to the judiciary and fundamental rights.
Differentiate between the powers of the Supreme Court and the High Courts. Article 32 is famously associated with the Supreme Court's writ jurisdiction.
Recognize that Article 226 is the corresponding provision that grants similar, but broader, powers to the High Courts.
Eliminate the other options by identifying their distinct functions: Article 368 deals with constitutional amendments, and Article 141 deals with the binding nature of Supreme Court decisions.
Select the option that specifically matches the powers of the High Courts as described in the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Writ Jurisdiction of High Courts under the Indian Constitution
Stem keywords: Article, Indian Constitution, High Courts, power to issue writs, Fundamental Rights
Lead-in keywords: Which

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Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent -29 April-2025 (shift-2nd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.