How the Indian Legal System Works: A Beginner’s Guide

The Indian legal system is a complex yet fascinating framework that forms the foundation of law and order in the world’s largest democracy. At its core lies the Constitution of India, which is the supreme law of the land. The Constitution not only lays down the structure and powers of government institutions but also guarantees fundamental rights to every citizen. All laws and actions by the government must conform to the Constitution, or else they risk being declared invalid by the courts.

India’s government functions on the principle of separation of powers, dividing authority among three branches: the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary. The Legislature, consisting of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and the President, is responsible for making laws. The Executive, including the President, Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers, implements these laws. Finally, the Judiciary interprets the laws and ensures justice is served. This branch includes a hierarchy of courts with the Supreme Court at the top, followed by High Courts in each state or union territory, and district or subordinate courts at the local level.

A few key features define the Indian legal system. It operates as a single integrated system, meaning all courts are connected under one judicial framework. The system also upholds judicial review, allowing courts to strike down laws that violate constitutional provisions. India follows a federal structure, where powers are divided between the central government and states, with specific subjects allocated to each. Lastly, the judiciary is designed to be independent, free from political interference, to maintain impartiality and uphold justice.

For students aspiring to enter the legal field, understanding this structure is crucial, especially when preparing for law entrance exams such as the BA LLB Entrance Exam, BA LLB Entrance Test, LLB Entrance, Law Admission Exam, Law Admission Test, LLM Entrance, LLB Entrance Test.