Article 142 Complete Justice — The Supreme Court of India has agreed to invoke its extraordinary plenary powers under Article 142 to quash FIRs filed against students who participated in nationwide NEET protests. This brings into focus the doctrine of “complete justice” and the apex court’s inherent constitutional powers. Here is everything you need to know for UPSC 2026.
Why in News: Article 142 Complete Justice
The Supreme Court of India agreed to invoke its extraordinary plenary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to quash First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against students who participated in nationwide protests against the NEET examination.
Key Facts for Prelims: Article 142 Complete Justice
- Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass any decree or order necessary for doing “complete justice” in any pending matter.
- Complete Justice: Grants wide discretionary plenary power to reach beyond technicalities of strict statutory law when it causes injustice.
- Enforceability: Orders under Article 142 are enforceable across India under parliamentary law or presidential order.
- Constitutional Status: Serves as an inherent power for the apex court as the guardian of the Constitution.
- Only the Supreme Court can invoke Article 142 — High Courts do not have this power.
- Article 142 is a plenary power, meaning it is full and complete in itself.
Static Exam Link
Prelims: Article 142, plenary powers, enforceability of SC orders
Mains GS-II: Role of judiciary in protecting fundamental rights, judicial activism, scope and limits of Article 142
Quick Revision Table: Article 142 Complete Justice
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Article | Article 142 of the Constitution |
| Power granted | Pass any decree/order for “complete justice” |
| Nature of power | Plenary (full and complete) |
| Available to | Supreme Court only (not High Courts) |
| Enforceability | Across all of India |
| Purpose | Go beyond strict statutory law to prevent injustice |
| Current use | Quashing FIRs against NEET protest students |
Trap / Confusing Points: Article 142 Complete Justice
- Trap: High Courts can also invoke Article 142 — Wrong! Article 142 is an exclusive power of the Supreme Court only. High Courts have their own powers under Article 226 and 227, but not Article 142.
- Trap: Article 142 can override fundamental rights — Wrong! The Supreme Court has held that Article 142 cannot be used to override substantive statutory provisions or fundamental rights. It supplements, not overrides.
- Trap: Article 142 orders need parliamentary approval — Wrong! Article 142 orders are self-executing and enforceable across India. They do not require separate parliamentary approval.
Practice MCQs: Article 142 Complete Justice
Q1. Article 142 of the Indian Constitution empowers which court to do “complete justice”?
- a) High Courts
- b) District Courts
- c) Supreme Court
- d) All courts in India
Answer: c) Supreme Court
Article 142 is an exclusive power of the Supreme Court to pass any decree or order necessary for doing “complete justice” in any pending matter.
Q2. The power under Article 142 is described as:
- a) Advisory power
- b) Appellate power
- c) Plenary power
- d) Supervisory power
Answer: c) Plenary power
Article 142 grants wide discretionary plenary power — meaning full and complete power — to reach beyond technicalities of strict statutory law.
Q3. Orders passed under Article 142 are enforceable:
- a) Only in the State where the case originated
- b) Only in Union Territories
- c) Across the entire territory of India
- d) Only after parliamentary approval
Answer: c) Across the entire territory of India
Orders under Article 142 are enforceable throughout India under parliamentary law or presidential order.
Q4. Which of the following is NOT a correct statement about Article 142?
- a) It empowers the Supreme Court to do complete justice
- b) It is a plenary power of the Supreme Court
- c) High Courts can also invoke Article 142 in exceptional cases
- d) Orders are enforceable across India
Answer: c) High Courts can also invoke Article 142 in exceptional cases
Article 142 is exclusively available to the Supreme Court. High Courts cannot invoke this provision under any circumstances.
Q5. In the recent NEET protest case, the Supreme Court invoked Article 142 to:
- a) Cancel the NEET examination
- b) Quash FIRs filed against protesting students
- c) Direct re-examination of all NEET candidates
- d) Transfer the case to a High Court
Answer: b) Quash FIRs filed against protesting students
The Supreme Court agreed to invoke Article 142 to quash FIRs filed against students who participated in nationwide NEET protests.
📌 Daily UPSC Current Affairs — 21 August 2026
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