Home The Constitution Part V Article 146

Art. 146 Part V: The Union

Officers and Servants and the Expenses of the Supreme Court

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) Appointments of officers and servants of the Supreme Court shall be made by the Chief Justice of India or such other Judge or officer of the Court as he may direct... (3) The administrative expenses of the Supreme Court, including all salaries, allowances and pensions payable to or in respect of the officers and servants of the Court, shall be charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India, and any fees or other moneys taken by the Court shall form part of that Fund.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article gives the Chief Justice of India (not the executive government) control over appointing the Court's own administrative staff, and ensures the Court's expenses are financed as 'charged' expenditure from the Consolidated Fund — not subject to annual legislative vote-by-vote approval, reinforcing the Court's financial and administrative independence from the government.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is another important structural pillar of judicial independence — the Supreme Court controls its own staffing and has secure, non-negotiable funding, rather than depending on the executive branch's goodwill or annual budget negotiations for its basic operational needs.

Read alongside this one

Art. 266 — Consolidated Funds and Public Accounts

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 146

Does the government have any say in how the Supreme Court hires its own staff?

No — this Article specifically vests that appointment authority in the Chief Justice (or officers they designate), keeping the Court's internal administration independent of executive government control.

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The text above reproduces Article 146 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.