2.3. Comparison with American Supreme Court

There is a fundamental difference in Indian and American judicial system, as India has a unified judicial system while American judicial system is segregated on federal principle. Still, there are striking similarities due to the democratic setup of polity. These can be seen as-

	Indian Supreme Court	American Supreme Court
Original Jurisdiction	It is confined to federal cases.	It covers not only federal cases but also cases relating to naval forces, maritime activities, ambassadors, etc.
Appellate Jurisdiction	It covers constitutional, civil and criminal cases.	It is confined to constitutional cases only.
Advisory Jurisdiction	It has advisory jurisdiction.	It has no advisory jurisdiction.
Judicial Review	It defends rights of the citizen according to the ‘procedure established by law’. Thus, its scope of judicial review is limited.	It defends rights of the citizen according to the ‘due process of law’. Thus, its scope of judicial review is wide.
Change in Jurisdiction	Its jurisdiction and powers can be enlarged by Parliament.	Its jurisdiction and powers are limited to that conferred by the Constitution.
Control over subordinate courts	It has power of judicial superintendence and control over state high courts due to integrated judicial system.	It has no such power due to double (or separated) judicial system.

Apart from these, the Supreme Court of India has extraordinary power of special leave to entertain appeals without any limitation upon its discretion, from a decision not only of court but also of any tribunal within territory of India. American Supreme Court doesn’t possess such power.