Judicial Review
Explanation
The doctrine of Judicial Review is a core feature of the Indian Constitution, derived from the principle of constitutional supremacy. It empowers the judiciary to examine the constitutionality of legislative enactments and executive orders issued by both the Central and State governments.
Analysis of Options:
- Judicial Review (Correct): This is the specific legal power that allows the Supreme Court (under Article 32) and High Courts (under Article 226) to declare a law ultra vires (beyond powers) and void if it violates the Constitution. This power is rooted in Article 13, which states that any law inconsistent with Fundamental Rights shall be void.
- Judicial Activism: This refers to a proactive approach by the judiciary to protect citizens' rights and promote justice, often by interpreting statutes broadly or intervening in executive domains. While Judicial Review is the tool, "Activism" describes the philosophy or intensity of judicial intervention, not the constitutional power itself.
- Public Interest Litigation (PIL): This is a procedural innovation that relaxes the rule of locus standi, permitting public-spirited individuals or organizations to approach the court on behalf of those who cannot. It is a mechanism for access to justice, not the power to strike down laws.
- Original Jurisdiction: This refers to the authority of a court to hear a case in the first instance. For the Supreme Court, this is primarily defined under Article 131 regarding federal disputes (e.g., between the Centre and a State).
Key Takeaway:
Judicial Review is the specific constitutional mechanism by which the judiciary acts as the guardian of the Constitution, ensuring that no legislative or executive action contravenes the supreme law of the land.