SCBA urges Collegium to act on representation of women in higher judiciary

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The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has adopted a resolution today, expressing serious concern over the stark underrepresentation of women in India’s highest courts. The Bar Association pointed out that several High Courts—including those in Uttarakhand, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Manipur—currently have no women judges on their benches. Nationwide, out of approximately 1,100 sanctioned High Court judgeships, only about 103 are held by women, while nearly 670 seats are occupied by men.

The SCBA voiced strong disappointment that the latest round of Supreme Court appointments included no women marking another absence since 2021. At present, only one woman judge, Justice BV Nagarathna, serves on the Supreme Court Bench.

Earlier this year, SCBA President Senior Advocate Vikas Singh had written to the Chief Justice of India—on May 24 and again on July 18—urging that appointments reflect proportional representation of women in higher judiciary roles .

The resolution emphasizes that ensuring balanced gender representation is not just a question of fairness it also reinforces public trust in the judiciary, enriches judicial deliberation, and ensures the court reflects the broader society it serves.

Accordingly, the SCBA has formally requested that the Chief Justice and the Collegium give urgent and appropriate consideration to elevating more women in forthcoming rounds of judicial appointments both to the Supreme Court and High Courts

On August 30, 2025, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) adopted a resolution expressing serious concern over the stark underrepresentation of women in India’s highest courts. The Bar Association pointed out that several High Courts—including those in Uttarakhand, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Manipur—currently have no women judges on their benches. Nationwide, out of approximately 1,100 sanctioned High Court judgeships, only about 103 are held by women, while nearly 670 seats are occupied by men.

The SCBA voiced strong disappointment that the latest round of Supreme Court appointments included no women—marking another absence since 2021. At present, only one woman judge, Justice Nagarathna, serves on the Supreme Court Bench.

Earlier this year, SCBA President Senior Advocate Vikas Singh had written to the Chief Justice of India on May 24 and again on July 18—urging that appointments reflect proportional representation of women in higher judiciary roles.

The resolution emphasizes that ensuring balanced gender representation is not just a question of fairness it also reinforces public trust in the judiciary, enriches judicial deliberation, and ensures the court reflects the broader society it serves.

Accordingly, the SCBA has formally requested that the Chief Justice and the Collegium give urgent and appropriate consideration to elevating more women in forthcoming rounds of judicial appointments—both to the Supreme Court and High Courts.