Recent developments show the ongoing gender imbalance in India’s higher judiciary. The Supreme Court currently has 34 judges with only one woman, Justice BV Nagarathna. Since 2021, no additional women have been appointed to the apex court. At the High Court level, women constitute a small minority, with only 105 women judges out of 779 nationwide as of March 2025. Some states show better gender representation, but many still have none. This situation raises important questions about diversity and inclusivity in the Indian judicial system.
Current Gender Composition in the Supreme CourtṬṬ
The Supreme Court has 34 judges but only one woman. The last time women were appointed was in August 2021, when three women were sworn in simultaneously. Since then, no new female judges have joined the apex court. This reflects slow progress in gender representation at the highest judicial level.
Women Judges in High Courts Across India
Out of 779 High Court judges, only 105 are women, about 13.5%. Recent appointments to the Bombay High Court included just one woman among 14 new judges. States like Telangana lead with 33% female judges in High Courts and 50% in lower judiciary. Sikkim and Manipur also show relatively high female representation. In contrast, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Uttarakhand have no women judges in High Courts.
Historical Context and Significance
India’s first woman judge, Justice Anna Chandy, was appointed Ṭin 1937. Despite nearly a century passing, women remain underrepresented in higher judiciary. Representation matters not because women are inherently progressive but because diverse lived experiences enrich judicial decision-making and empathy in cases.
Impact of Gender Diversity on Judicial Outcomes
Diverse benches lead to better judicial outcomes by incorporating different perspectives. Women judges bring unique insights from their historical exclusion and social experiences. India’s judiciary, dominated by male judges from upper castes and majority religions, handles critical gender-related cases. Greater female representation could enhance the sensitivity and fairness of such rulings.
Challenges and Barriers to Women’s Elevation
Women face higher scrutiny and different standards for elevation. Historical examples show women being considered too young or unsuitable despite qualifications. The male-dominated judiciary resists sharing power. Institutional biases and lack of proactive policies hinder women’s rise to higher courts.
Calls for Institutional Reform and Quotas
Experts advocate for quota systems to ensure women’s representation in higher judiciary. The women’s reservation Bill in Parliament is a step towards this. Active institutional measures are needed to overcome entrenched gender biases. The famous quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, When there are nine, inspires calls for full gender parity on India’s Supreme Court bench.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically analyse the impact of gender diversity in the judiciary on justice delivery with suitable examples.
- Explain the challenges faced by women in attaining higher judicial positions and suggest institutional reforms to address them.
- What are the implications of underrepresentation of women in democratic institutions? How does it affect policy and governance?
- Comment on the role of reservation policies in promoting gender equality in public institutions. What lessons can India learn from global examples?
