CJI Advocates Gender Representation in Judiciary: Institutional Reforms for Women Judges

Hindustan Times - India · 8 Mar 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Polity Mains · GS2 Polity and constitution High relevance

CJI Surya Kant urged High Court collegiums to prioritize women lawyers from the Supreme Court for judgeship, emphasizing institutional reforms to achieve gender balance in the judiciary.

Key points

CJI Surya Kant called for systemic changes in judicial appointments, stressing that women lawyers seek fair representation, not concessions, in the judiciary.

The CJI highlighted that High Court collegiums should consider women advocates from their states practicing in the Supreme Court for elevation to judgeship.

Institutional fairness was emphasized as a continuous process, requiring persistence beyond individual tenures to embed gender balance in judicial appointments.

Currently, 36.3% of district judiciary officers are women, indicating a generational shift that should reflect in higher judiciary appointments.

Punjab and Haryana High Court leads with 18 women judges, while Madras and Bombay High Courts have about a dozen each, showing progress but needing further improvement.

[GS2-Social Justice] The push for gender representation aligns with constitutional principles of equality under Articles 14 and 15, ensuring inclusive governance.

[GS4-Ethics] The CJI acknowledged workplace biases against women in law, such as late-night briefings and questioning of authority, which hinder professional growth.

Way Forward: High Court collegiums should establish transparent criteria for women's elevation, create mentorship programs for female lawyers, and implement gender-sensitive workplace policies to foster inclusivity.

Key terms

High Court Collegium

A body comprising the Chief Justice and senior judges of a High Court responsible for recommending appointments and transfers of judges. Its role is crucial in maintaining judicial independence and ensuring merit-based appointments, as underscored in the Second Judges Case (1993).

Article 14

Guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of laws to all persons within India's territory. It forms the basis for advocating gender-balanced judiciary appointments to prevent discrimination.

Article 15

Prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. It supports affirmative action for women in judiciary to address historical underrepresentation.

District Judiciary

The lowest tier of the judicial hierarchy handling civil and criminal cases at the district level. With 36.3% women officers, it serves as a pipeline for higher judiciary diversity, reflecting grassroots-level judicial reforms.