Which institution has the final and ultimate authority to interpret the Constitution of India?

Introduction / Context:
This question concerns the doctrine of constitutional interpretation in India and asks which institution has the ultimate authority to interpret the Constitution. Understanding the role of the Supreme Court as the guardian and interpreter of the Constitution is fundamental to Indian polity and is frequently tested in examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The question is about interpreting the Constitution, not about making or amending it.
• The options include Parliament, the Supreme Court, the President and the Attorney General.
• We assume normal constitutional functioning without emergency suspending judicial review.

Concept / Approach:
The Constitution of India establishes a system of judicial review in which the higher judiciary, especially the Supreme Court, has the power to interpret the Constitution and to strike down laws or executive actions that violate constitutional provisions. The Supreme Court is described as the final interpreter of the Constitution and its decisions are binding on all courts within the territory of India. While Parliament makes laws and can amend the Constitution within limits, it is the Supreme Court that decides whether these laws or amendments comply with constitutional principles.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Supreme Court is established as the apex court in India under Part V of the Constitution.Step 2: Understand that judicial review and interpretation of the Constitution are core functions of the higher judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court.Step 3: Recognise that Parliament legislates and the President assents to laws, but neither is the final interpreter of constitutional meaning.Step 4: Therefore, select option B, Supreme Court of India, as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can recall landmark judgments such as Kesavananda Bharati case, in which the Supreme Court articulated the basic structure doctrine. This doctrine limits the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution, clearly demonstrating that final interpretative authority rests with the Court, not with the legislature or the executive. This reinforces that option B is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Parliament has the authority to make and amend laws but not to give binding interpretations of the Constitution in the face of judicial review.Option C: The President is the head of the Union and acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers; the office does not function as the final constitutional interpreter.Option D: The Attorney General is the chief legal advisor to the Government of India, but advisory opinions do not override the binding judgments of the Supreme Court.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates mistakenly think that Parliament, being sovereign in a political sense, can decide constitutional meaning. However, India follows a constitutional supremacy model, where the Constitution is supreme and the judiciary interprets it. Properly distinguishing between the power to legislate and the power to interpret is essential to avoid confusion on such questions.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: Supreme Court of India