Home The Constitution Part VI Article 226A

Art. 226A Part VI: The States

(Repealed) Constitutional Validity of Central Laws Not to Be Considered in Certain Writ Petitions

Exact text — Constitution of India

[This Article, inserted by the 42nd Amendment, 1976 during the Emergency to bar High Courts from considering central laws' constitutional validity while exercising Article 226 writ jurisdiction (concentrating that power in the Supreme Court instead), was repealed by the 43rd Amendment, 1977, restoring High Courts' full concurrent power in this area.]

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

Another Emergency-era centralising provision, closely related to the also-repealed Article 131A — it would have significantly narrowed High Courts' writ jurisdiction by removing their power to examine central laws' constitutional validity, concentrating that specific power exclusively in the Supreme Court. Like its companion provisions, it was reversed once democratic government resumed.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is another data point in the consistent pattern of Emergency-era constitutional changes that concentrated power away from High Courts and toward central institutions, all specifically and deliberately reversed by the post-Emergency 43rd Amendment.

Read alongside this one

Art. 131a — (Repealed) Exclusive Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court Over Central Law Validity

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 226A

Can High Courts examine central laws' constitutional validity today?

Yes, fully — following this Article's repeal, High Courts retain complete concurrent jurisdiction (alongside the Supreme Court) to examine and rule on central laws' constitutionality under their ordinary Article 226 writ power.

← PreviousArticle 226: Power of High Courts to Issue Certain Writs Next →Article 227: Power of Superintendence Over All Courts by the High Court

The text above reproduces Article 226A 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.