Composition and Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India, established in 1950, is the highest judicial authority and final court of appeal, consisting of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and up to 33 other judges appointed by the President. It has wide-ranging original, appellate, and advisory jurisdictions, including enforcing fundamental rights, settling inter-state disputes, and interpreting the Constitution.

Composition of the Supreme Court

• Strength: The Court consists of the Chief Justice of India and a maximum of 33 other judges, bringing the total strength to 34, as authorized by Parliament.
• Appointment: Judges are appointed by the President of India based on recommendations from a collegium of senior judges.
• Qualifications: To be a judge, a person must be an Indian citizen, at least 5 years a High Court judge, 10 years a High Court advocate, or a distinguished jurist.
• Tenure & Removal: Judges hold office until age 65. They can be removed only through a parliamentary impeachment process for proved misbehavior or incapacity.

Jurisdiction / Power of the Supreme Court
The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is comprehensive, defined under the Constitution: 

• Original Jurisdiction (Art. 131): Settles disputes between the Government of India and states, or between states, and handles cases involving fundamental rights (Article 32).
• Appellate Jurisdiction (Arts. 132-134): Acts as the final court of appeal for civil, criminal, and constitutional cases from High Courts.
• Advisory Jurisdiction (Art. 143): The President may seek the Court’s opinion on questions of law or public importance.
• Review Jurisdiction: The Court has the power to review its own judgments or orders.
• Special Leave Petition (Art. 136): The Court can grant special leave to appeal against any judgment or order passed by any court or tribunal in the country (except military tribunals).
• Court of Record: The Court's records are admitted as evidence and are legally binding.