Home The Constitution Part VI Article 225

Art. 225 Part VI: The States

Jurisdiction of Existing High Courts

Exact text — Constitution of India

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and to the provisions of any law of the appropriate Legislature made by virtue of powers conferred on that Legislature by this Constitution, the jurisdiction of, and the law administered in, any existing High Court, and the respective powers of the Judges thereof in relation to the administration of justice in the Court... shall be the same as immediately before the commencement of this Constitution...

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

A continuity-preserving Article — it ensured existing (pre-1950) High Courts' jurisdiction and administrative powers continued unchanged into the new constitutional framework, subject to whatever the Constitution itself or subsequent competent legislation might specify otherwise.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why High Courts with long institutional histories (like Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, some dating to the 19th century) experienced a smooth jurisdictional transition into independent India's constitutional structure, rather than starting fresh with newly defined powers.

Read alongside this one

Art. 372 — Continuance in Force of Existing Laws

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 225

Does this mean India's oldest High Courts still operate under 19th-century rules?

No — while this Article preserved initial continuity, jurisdiction and powers have since evolved considerably through subsequent constitutional provisions and legislation, as this Article itself explicitly allows.

← PreviousArticle 224A: Appointment of Retired Judges at Sittings of High Courts Next →Article 226: Power of High Courts to Issue Certain Writs

The text above reproduces Article 225 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.