---
title: "Article 131: Original Jurisdiction Explained"
description: "Article 131 grants India's Supreme Court exclusive original jurisdiction over disputes between the Union and States, crucial for resolving legal conflicts."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/article-131-original-jurisdiction"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Article 131 of the Constitution of India grants the Supreme Court exclusive original jurisdiction over legal disputes between the Union and States or between States.
- Can a State challenge the constitutionality of a central law under Article 131?
- How does Article 131 differ from Article 32?
- Why are inter-State river-water disputes excluded from Article 131?
- Is private litigation possible under Article 131?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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Example

In January 2020 the State of Kerala invoked Article 131 to file an original suit in the Supreme Court of India challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, naming the Union of India as defendant.

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