Home The Constitution Part VI Article 226

Art. 226 Part VI: The States

Power of High Courts to Issue Certain Writs

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) Notwithstanding anything in article 32, every High Court shall have power, throughout the territories in relation to which it exercises jurisdiction, to issue to any person or authority, including in appropriate cases, any Government, within those territories directions, orders or writs, including writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari, or any of them, for the enforcement of any of the rights conferred by Part III and for any other purpose.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This is one of the Constitution's most powerful and frequently-used provisions — it gives every High Court writ-issuing power that's actually BROADER in one key respect than the Supreme Court's own Article 32 power: while Article 32 is limited to Fundamental Rights enforcement, Article 226 extends to 'any other purpose' too, letting High Courts address a vast range of administrative and legal wrongs beyond just Part III violations.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why the vast majority of writ petitions in India are actually filed in High Courts rather than the Supreme Court — it's a more accessible, geographically closer, and jurisdictionally broader remedy for citizens seeking to challenge government action or enforce their rights.

Landmark Cases

How courts have interpreted this Article

L. Chandra Kumar v. Union of IndiaAIR 1997 SC 1125 — Held that judicial review power under this Article (and the Supreme Court's under Article 32) is part of the Constitution's basic structure and cannot be excluded even by constitutional amendment. Verify this case

Read alongside this one

Art. 32 — Right to Constitutional Remedies

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 226

Should I approach the High Court or Supreme Court for a rights violation?

For most practical purposes, the High Court is typically the more accessible first stop, given its broader 'any other purpose' jurisdiction and closer geographic proximity, with Supreme Court appeal remaining available afterward if needed.

← PreviousArticle 225: Jurisdiction of Existing High Courts Next →Article 226A: (Repealed) Constitutional Validity of Central Laws Not to Be Considered in Certain Writ Petitions

The text above reproduces Article 226 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.