Home The Constitution Part VI Article 231

Art. 231 Part VI: The States

Establishment of a Common High Court for Two or More States

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the preceding provisions of this Chapter, Parliament may by law establish a common High Court for two or more States or for two or more States and a Union territory. (2) In relation to any such High Court,—(a) the reference in article 217 to the Governor of the State shall be construed as a reference to the Governors of all the States in relation to which that High Court exercises jurisdiction acting jointly...

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article provides the detailed mechanism for the common High Court arrangement Article 214(2) generally permits — when Parliament creates a shared High Court, references to 'the Governor' in the appointment and related provisions are read as the GOVERNORS (plural) of all the states served, acting jointly, ensuring each state retains a meaningful voice even in a shared judicial institution.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is the detailed operational framework behind arrangements like the Punjab and Haryana High Court — ensuring that even when states share a single court, each state's Governor retains appropriate involvement in matters like judicial appointments for that shared institution.

Read alongside this one

Art. 214 — High Courts for States

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 231

How do multiple Governors 'act jointly' for a shared High Court's judicial appointments?

This requires coordinated consultation among the Governors of all states served by that common High Court, ensuring each state's constitutional role in the appointment process is respected even in a shared arrangement.

← PreviousArticle 230: Extension of Jurisdiction of High Courts to Union Territories Next →Article 232: (Repealed) Interpretation

The text above reproduces Article 231 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.