'Need More Women Judges' : SCBA Flags Low Gender Balance In Higher Judiciary; Seeks Urgent Action From Collegium

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has expressed grave concern over the disproportionately low representation of women in the higher judiciary, both in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts, and has urged the Collegium to ensure adequate gender diversity in forthcoming judicial appointments.In a resolution passed on August 30, 2025, the SCBA noted that several High Courts such as Uttarakhand, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Manipur currently have no women judges at all. Across the country, out of nearly 1100 sanctioned posts of High Court judges, around 670 are occupied by men while only 103 are occupied by women.The Association further recorded its “strong disappointment” in the recent round of appointments, no woman was considered. It flagged that since 2021 no woman judge has been appointed to the Supreme Court. At present, Justice B.V. Nagarathna is the only woman judge on the Bench of the apex court.The SCBA recalled that its President, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, had previously written to the Chief Justice of India on May 24, 2025, and July 18, 2025, urging at least proportional representation for women in higher judicial appointments.The resolution underlined that greater gender balance on the Bench is essential not only for fair and equal representation but also for strengthening public confidence in the judiciary, enriching judicial perspectives, and reflecting the diversity of society in the institution of justice.Accordingly, the SCBA has resolved to request the Chief Justice of India and the Collegium to give “urgent and due consideration” to the appointment and elevation of more women judges in the upcoming rounds of judicial selections for both the Supreme Court and the High Courts.The SCBA's latest call comes in the backdrop of continuing controversy surrounding the appointment of Justice Vipul Pancholi to the Supreme Court, as questions arose why he was preferred over at least three women judges who are senior to him.

'Need More Women Judges' : SCBA Flags Low Gender Balance In Higher Judiciary; Seeks Urgent Action From Collegium

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