The Chief Justice of India and Supreme Court: Key Roles and Responsibilities

The Chief Justice of India is the head of the Supreme Court of India, which is the highest court in the country. Here’s what the CJI does:

Leading the Supreme Court:
- The CJI is the most senior judge in the Supreme Court and leads the Court’s work. They make sure the Court runs smoothly and efficiently.
Appointing Judges:
- The CJI is part of a group called the Collegium (a group of senior judges) that decides on the appointment of new judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts. The CJI plays a big role in recommending who becomes a judge.
Assigning Cases:
- The CJI decides which judge will handle a specific case. This means they have an important role in deciding how cases are distributed and who will make decisions on them.
Presiding Over Hearings:
- The CJI presides over important hearings in the Supreme Court, especially cases related to constitutional matters. They may also lead a bench (a group of judges) in important cases.
Ensuring Judicial Independence:
- The CJI works to ensure that the judiciary remains independent and is not influenced by the government or any other outside forces.
Representing the Judiciary:
- The CJI is the face of the Indian judiciary. They represent the judiciary at official events and speak for the entire judicial system when needed.

The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial authority in the country. It has several important functions and responsibilities:

Interpreting the Constitution:
- The Supreme Court has the ultimate responsibility to interpret the Indian Constitution. It decides how the Constitution should be applied in real-life situations. If there’s a dispute over how a law should be understood, the Supreme Court makes the final decision.
Final Court of Appeal:
- If someone is unhappy with a decision made by a lower court (like a High Court or District Court), they can appeal to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the last place to go for justice in India, and its decision is final.
Protecting Fundamental Rights:
- The Supreme Court ensures that people’s fundamental rights (such as the right to equality, freedom of speech, etc.) are protected. If a law or government action violates these rights, the Court can strike it down.
Judicial Review:
- The Supreme Court has the power to review the laws made by the Parliament and actions taken by the government. If a law goes against the Constitution, the Court can declare it invalid.
Advisory Role:
- The President of India can sometimes ask the Supreme Court for advice on important legal matters. The Supreme Court can provide its opinion, but it is not mandatory for the government to follow it.
Ensuring the Rule of Law:
- The Supreme Court plays an important role in making sure that everyone, including the government, follows the law. It ensures that justice is done in accordance with the law of the land.

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the head of the Supreme Court and plays a central role in managing the Court’s functioning, appointing judges, and ensuring justice is delivered properly.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in India, responsible for interpreting the Constitution, protecting rights, making final decisions in legal cases, and reviewing laws and government actions.