Home The Constitution Part V Article 133

Art. 133 Part V: The Union

Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Appeals From High Courts in Regard to Civil Matters

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) An appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court from any judgment, decree or final order in a civil proceeding of a High Court... if the High Court certifies... that the case involves a substantial question of law of general importance and that in the opinion of the High Court the said question needs to be decided by the Supreme Court.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article provides the general civil-appeal route to the Supreme Court — not tied specifically to a constitutional question (unlike Article 132), but requiring the High Court to certify the case involves a substantial legal question of GENERAL IMPORTANCE that genuinely warrants the Supreme Court's attention.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is the standard pathway for civil litigation to reach the Supreme Court after a High Court's decision, when the legal issues involved are significant enough (in the High Court's own assessment) to merit the highest court's further review.

Read alongside this one

Art. 132 — Appellate Jurisdiction in Cases Involving Constitutional Questions

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 133

Is every civil case that loses at the High Court automatically appealable to the Supreme Court?

No — this route requires the High Court's specific certification that a substantial question of general legal importance is involved; without that certification (or an alternative route like Article 136's special leave), an ordinary civil case doesn't automatically get a further Supreme Court appeal.

← PreviousArticle 132: Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Appeals From High Courts in Certain Cases Next →Article 134: Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Regard to Criminal Matters

The text above reproduces Article 133 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.