The Indian judiciary operates under a well-defined hierarchy that ensures an organized and efficient system of law enforcement and justice. This hierarchy is structured in a manner that allows for an effective distribution of judicial powers, duties, and jurisdictions. From the apex court, the Supreme Court of India, to the subordinate courts handling civil, criminal, and revenue matters, this article aims to provide a detailed understanding of each level of the judiciary. By analyzing the various tiers, this article discusses the jurisdiction and functions of each court, supplemented by pertinent case laws.

Introduction
The judiciary is one of the three pillars of Indian democracy, alongside the executive and the legislature. The Constitution of India provides a comprehensive judicial structure that includes the Supreme Court at the apex, followed by High Courts, and various subordinate courts. This structure ensures that legal matters are addressed in a systematic way, with higher courts exercising appellate jurisdiction and supervising lower courts. Understanding the hierarchy is essential for comprehending the flow of judicial power in India and the process through which cases progress in the judicial system.

1. Supreme Court of India At the top of the judicial hierarchy is the Supreme Court of India, established under Article 124 of the Constitution. It serves as the final court of appeal, exercising both original and appellate jurisdiction. It holds the power of judicial review, ensuring the constitutionality of laws and executive actions. Notable Case Law: In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, (1973) 4 SCC 225, the Supreme Court established the doctrine of the Basic Structure, ensuring that the core principles of the Constitution cannot be altered, even by a constitutional amendment.
    
2. High Courts Directly below the Supreme Court are the High Courts at the state and union territory levels. Each state or group of states has its own High Court, which exercises jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters. High Courts have original jurisdiction in some matters, such as writ petitions under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution, and serve as appellate courts for decisions from subordinate courts within their respective territories. Notable Case Law: In State of Rajasthan v. Prakash Chand, (1998) 1 SCC 1, the Supreme Court emphasized the supervisory jurisdiction of High Courts over subordinate courts, clarifying that this power should be exercised sparingly.
    
3. Subordinate Courts Subordinate courts fall under the jurisdiction and supervision of the respective High Courts and are further divided based on the nature of cases—civil, criminal, and revenue. Each of these branches has its own hierarchy, which helps streamline the process for different types of cases.
   1. Civil Courts Civil courts handle disputes relating to private rights, property, family matters, contracts, and torts. The hierarchy within the civil courts includes:
      • District Judge: At the district level, the District Judge is the highest authority in civil cases. District Judges may also serve as Sessions Judges in criminal matters.
      • Sub-Judge (Family): The Sub-Judge handles family law matters such as divorce, custody, and maintenance, typically under the jurisdiction of family courts established under the Family Courts Act, 1984.
      • Munsif Court: Munsif or Junior Civil Judge courts handle smaller civil matters. They possess jurisdiction over cases involving lower monetary values or simpler civil disputes.
      • Small Causes Court: These courts focus on minor civil disputes, often involving tenancy, rental disputes, or cases involving a limited monetary amount.
      Notable Case Law: In Renu v. District & Sessions Judge, Tis Hazari & Anr., (2014) 14 SCC 50, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the role of District Judges in maintaining discipline and efficiency in subordinate courts.
       
   2. Criminal Courts The criminal judiciary in India is structured to deal with offenses against the state or individuals, with the following hierarchy:
      • Session Court: The Sessions Court is the highest criminal court at the district level. It tries serious offenses, including those punishable by death or life imprisonment, and acts as an appellate court for criminal cases from lower courts.
      • Metropolitan/Additional Magistrate (Class I): Metropolitan Magistrates handle criminal cases in metropolitan cities, while Additional Magistrates have similar jurisdiction in non-metropolitan areas.
      • Judicial Magistrate (Class II): Judicial Magistrates of the second class handle minor criminal cases, often involving less severe punishments.
      • Executive Magistrates: Unlike other magistrates, Executive Magistrates are appointed from the executive branch and handle preventive actions and minor administrative cases, such as maintaining public peace under Section 107 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.
      Notable Case Law: In Nandini Satpathy v. P.L. Dani, (1978) 2 SCC 424, the Supreme Court emphasized the procedural safeguards that must be maintained in criminal trials, highlighting the responsibilities of lower criminal courts.
       
   3. Revenue Courts Revenue courts deal with matters related to land revenue and tenancy. The hierarchy in these courts includes:
      • Board of Revenue: This is the apex body in the revenue court hierarchy. It exercises appellate jurisdiction over decisions made by lower revenue courts.
      • Commissioner/Collector: Commissioners oversee revenue matters in a region, while Collectors operate at the district level, handling cases related to land revenue and local administration.
      • Tehsildar: Tehsildars operate at the sub-district level and handle routine revenue matters, including land records and collection of revenue.
      • Assistant Tehsildar: Assistant Tehsildars assist Tehsildars and handle minor revenue disputes at the local level.
      Notable Case Law: In Ram Lakhan Singh v. State of U.P., AIR 1965 SC 174, the Supreme Court clarified the roles of revenue courts and their jurisdiction over tenancy disputes, stating that these matters should be handled as per local land laws.

Conclusion
The Indian judicial system's hierarchy ensures that cases are handled at the appropriate level, with avenues for appeal and oversight at each stage. From the Supreme Court to subordinate civil, criminal, and revenue courts, this structure enables efficient case management, jurisdictional clarity, and the upholding of citizens' rights. Not only does this hierarchy facilitate a comprehensive distribution of cases, but it also upholds the rule of law through the separation of judicial functions based on the nature and gravity of each case.