Art. 71 Part V: The Union

Matters Relating to, or Connected With, the Election of a President or Vice-President

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) All doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with the election of a President or Vice-President shall be inquired into and decided by the Supreme Court whose decision shall be final. (3) Parliament may by law regulate any matter relating to or connected with the election of a President or Vice-President.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article gives the Supreme Court exclusive, final jurisdiction over any dispute concerning a presidential or vice-presidential election — a specific, elevated dispute-resolution mechanism reflecting the gravity of any challenge to who legitimately holds India's highest constitutional offices.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

If there's ever a genuine legal dispute about whether a presidential or vice-presidential election was validly conducted, only the Supreme Court can resolve it — and its decision is final, with no further appeal possible.

Read alongside this one

Art. 54 — Election of President Art. 124 — Establishment and Independence of the Supreme Court

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 71

Has a presidential or vice-presidential election ever actually been challenged in the Supreme Court?

Yes — there have been instances of such election results being challenged before the Supreme Court under this Article, testing various procedural and substantive aspects of the electoral process.

← PreviousArticle 70: Discharge of President's Functions in Other Contingencies Next →Article 72: Power of President to Grant Pardons, etc., and to Suspend, Remit or Commute Sentences in Certain Cases

The text above reproduces Article 71 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.