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UPSC Notes

Article 142 of the Indian Constitution

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Understanding the scope and limitations of the Supreme Court's extraordinary powers is crucial for analyzing judicial activism, judicial restraint, and the balance of power within the constitutional framework.

Article 142 grants the Supreme Court of India extraordinary discretionary power to pass any decree or order necessary for doing 'complete justice' in any cause or matter pending before it. This power allows the Court to go beyond existing statutes to ensure justice and equity where the law may be silent or inadequate.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Empowers

The Supreme Court of India

Purpose

To pass orders for 'complete justice'

Scope

Can override statutory provisions in certain circumstances

Application

Used when existing law is insufficient to deliver justice

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supreme Court of IndiaExercises
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • SC's extraordinary power for 'complete justice'.
  • Can bypass existing laws if needed.
  • Ensures equity and fairness.
  • Subject to judicial interpretation and restraint.
  • A unique feature of Indian judiciary.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — Distinguish Article 142 (constitutional power) from powers derived from specific statutes.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2023Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, all acts done by him/her in t...

Indian PolityOpen question
2022Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

Indian PolityOpen question
2021Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Indian PolityOpen question

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations o...

Indian PolityOpen question
2018Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validi...

Indian PolityOpen question
2014Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & Governance
Prelims 2014· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

Open question
Prelims 2018· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validi...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations o...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

Open question

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, all acts done by him/her in t...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected ...

Open question

Welcome move: On the Supreme Court and Gen Z protesters

04 Sep 2026 · Article 142 is the Supreme Court's power to ensure 'complete justice' by issuing necessary orders, even if it means overriding existing laws, highlighting its unique role in the Indian legal system.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Article 142 of the Indian Constitution

Often confused with

Judicial Review of Executive/Policy Decisions

Open notesOften confused with

Judicial Oversight of Executive Action

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Article 142 of the Indian Constitution in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Article 142 of the Indian Constitution

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements: 1. If the election of the President of India is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, all acts done by him/her in t...

2023·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to Indian Judiciary, consider the following statements: 1. Any retired judge of the Supreme Court of India can be called back to sit and act ...

2021·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations o...

2019·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. Pursuant to the report of H.N. Sanyal Committee, the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was passed. 2. The Constitution of ...

2022·Indian Polity
Solve

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliam...

2021·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India: I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected ...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament of India can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India. 2. The validi...

2018·Indian Polity
Solve

The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

2014·Indian Polity
Solve

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