Supreme Court Dismisses PIL Seeking 50% Women Representation In Judicial Services, Govt Panels

The Supreme Court today refused to entertain a PIL seeking earmarking of upto 50 percent vacancies for women in judicial services as well as government panels. It however gave liberty to the petitioners to submit a comprehensive representation to the concerned stakeholders.

A bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi heard the matter and noted that it would not be expedient to take up the issue on judicial side, except when intervention is warranted in peculiar facts and circumstances.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain appeared for the petitioners.

The petitioners sought a direction to the Government of India and Collegium to make appointments to the offices of judges of High Courts and the Supreme Court by considering eligible women candidates to fill up such posts upto 50% of the vacancy, while recommending to the President of India for such appointment.

Similar directions were sought qua filling up of vacancies of law officers/standing counsel/Panel Counsel/State Counsel being appointed to conduct cases for the Government of India and State governments in District Courts, the High Courts and the Supreme Court.

The petitioners also sought a direction for the State governments to make a provision earmarking 50% of the posts for women in Higher Judicial Services and Provincial Judicial Services. They further sought a 50% quota for women candidates in the promotions from Provincial Judicial Services to Higher Judicial Services.

During the hearing, CJI Kant told Jain not to file such writ petitions - "Don't embarrass us and create complications for yourself". The Chief Justice further remarked that steps for enhanced women representation in the legal field are being taken, but change does not come within a day.

Case Title: MANI MUNJAL AND ORS. Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 400/2026