Home The Constitution Part VI Article 235

Art. 235 Part VI: The States

Control Over Subordinate Courts

Exact text — Constitution of India

The control over district courts and courts subordinate thereto including the posting and promotion of, and the grant of leave to, persons belonging to the judicial service of a State and holding any post inferior to the post of district judge shall be vested in the High Court, but nothing in this article shall be construed as taking away from any such person any right of appeal which he may have under the law regulating the conditions of his service or as authorising the High Court to deal with him otherwise than in accordance with the conditions of his service prescribed under such law.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article gives the High Court comprehensive administrative CONTROL over the entire subordinate judicial service within its jurisdiction — postings, promotions, and leave for junior judicial officers — while specifically protecting those officers' existing service-condition rights (like appeal rights) from being overridden by this control.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is a crucial judicial-independence provision at the lower court level — it keeps district and subordinate court administration under the High Court's judicial oversight rather than the state executive's direct control, insulating junior judges' career decisions from potential political interference.

Read alongside this one

Art. 227 — Power of Superintendence Over All Courts by the High Court

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 235

Does the state government have any say in a junior judge's posting or promotion?

No — this Article specifically vests that control in the High Court, not the state executive, protecting the subordinate judiciary's independence from direct government control over these career decisions.

← PreviousArticle 234: Recruitment of Persons Other Than District Judges to the Judicial Service Next →Article 236: Interpretation

The text above reproduces Article 235 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.