Low Representation of Women in Higher Judiciary

GS2 – Polity & Governance

Context
  • The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) passed a resolution expressing concern over the disproportionately low representation of women judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts.
  • The move came after the appointment of Justices Alok Aradhe and Vipul M. Pancholi as Supreme Court judges, with no women included in the latest elevation.
Current Situation
  • Supreme Court: The last appointment of women judges took place in 2021. Currently, Justice B.V. Nagarathna is the lone woman judge in the top court.
  • High Courts:
    • Sanctioned strength: ~1,100 judges
    • Sitting judges: ~770 (approx.)
    • Women judges: only 103
    • Several High Courts (Uttarakhand, Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur) have no women judges.
Concerns Raised
  1. Seniority & Merit Overlooked
    • Justice Vipul Pancholi (ranked 57 in seniority among HC judges) was elevated, allegedly bypassing three senior women High Court judges.
    • Raised questions of transparency and inclusivity in collegium decisions.
  2. Gender Justice
    • The lack of women representation undermines the principle of substantive equality under Article 14 and 15.
  3. Public Confidence
    • Judicial diversity is essential for impartiality and inclusiveness.
    • A skewed gender ratio risks eroding public trust in judiciary’s commitment to equality.
Reasons for Low Representation
  • Pipeline problem: Lower entry of women in legal profession, fewer reaching senior advocate status.
  • Collegium system: Opaque selection, often reinforcing male-dominated networks.
  • Social barriers: Gender stereotypes, work-life balance, and lack of institutional support for women lawyers.
  • Limited outreach: Few women nominated from the Bar (direct appointments).
Significance of Women in Judiciary
  • Improves diversity & inclusiveness in decision-making.
  • Better representation of women’s perspectives in cases involving gender rights, family law, sexual harassment, etc.
  • Symbolic value: Encourages more women to join the legal profession.
  • Checks unconscious bias in judgments and strengthens justice delivery.
Steps Suggested / Way Forward
  1. Proportional Representation – SCBA urged quotas or targets for women judges in SC & HCs.
  2. Transparent Collegium Process – Greater disclosure of criteria for selection.
  3. Encouraging Women in Bar – Mentorship, reservations in designations (Senior Advocates), maternity benefits.
  4. Judicial Diversity Commission – As suggested by experts, to recommend and monitor appointments.
  5. Policy Push – Special efforts to ensure no High Court remains without women judges.
« Prev September 2025 Next »
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930