Home The Constitution Part V Article 132

Art. 132 Part V: The Union

Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in Appeals From High Courts in Certain Cases

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) An appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court from any judgment, decree or final order of a High Court in the territory of India, whether in a civil, criminal or other proceeding, if the High Court certifies... that the case involves a substantial question of law as to the interpretation of this Constitution.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article provides a specific appeal route to the Supreme Court whenever a case (of any kind — civil, criminal, or other) involves a genuinely substantial constitutional interpretation question, with the High Court itself formally certifying that this threshold is met before the appeal can proceed.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why certain High Court decisions can be appealed to the Supreme Court specifically because they raise a significant constitutional question — even if the underlying case wouldn't otherwise qualify for a Supreme Court appeal under the more general civil or criminal appeal routes.

Read alongside this one

Art. 133 — Appellate Jurisdiction in Civil Matters Art. 136 — Special Leave to Appeal

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 132

What if the High Court refuses to grant this certificate?

The Supreme Court itself can, in certain circumstances, grant 'special leave to appeal' under Article 136 even without a High Court certificate, providing an alternative route if the High Court declines to certify.

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The text above reproduces Article 132 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.