The main sources of law in India are the Constitution, statutes (legislation), customary law and case law. The statutes are enacted by Parliament, the state legislatures and union territory legislatures. There is also a vast body of subordinate legislation, which takes the form of rules, regulations and by-laws that are made by the central and state governments, and the local authorities like the municipal corporations, municipalities and other local bodies.

In addition, local customs and conventions that are not against statute or morality or otherwise undesirable are, to a limited extent, also recognized and taken into account by the courts while they administer justice in certain cases. Also, people of different religions and traditions are governed by different sets of personal law with respect to matters relating to family affairs.

A single integrated system of courts administers both union and state laws. The Supreme Court of India, located in New Delhi, is the highest body in the entire judicial system. Each state or a group of states has a High Court under which there is a hierarchy of subordinate courts.

The Chief Justice and the other judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President. The Supreme Court's original jurisdiction extends to the enforcement of fundamental rights given by the Constitution and to any dispute among states and the government. It has an advisory jurisdiction in matters referred by the President of India. Its decisions are binding on all courts within the country.

While the judicial...