Home The Constitution Part V Article 138

Art. 138 Part V: The Union

Enlargement of the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) The Supreme Court shall have such further jurisdiction and powers with respect to any of the matters in the Union List as Parliament may by law confer. (2) The Supreme Court shall have such further jurisdiction and powers with respect to any matter as the Government of India and the Governments of the States may by special agreement confer, if Parliament by law provides for the exercise of such jurisdiction and powers by the Supreme Court.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article gives Parliament flexibility to expand the Supreme Court's jurisdiction beyond what's specifically enumerated elsewhere in the Constitution — either unilaterally for Union List matters, or through a special Union-State agreement (subject to Parliament's enabling law) for other matters, providing adaptability as new legal needs emerge over time.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This Article reflects the framers' recognition that the Constitution's specific jurisdictional provisions might not anticipate every future need, building in flexibility for Parliament to expand the Supreme Court's role as circumstances require.

Read alongside this one

Art. 131 — Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 138

Has Parliament actually used this power to expand Supreme Court jurisdiction significantly?

Various specific laws have conferred additional jurisdiction on the Supreme Court over the decades for particular subject areas, using this Article's enabling framework.

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The text above reproduces Article 138 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.