The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has expressed “grave concern” over the low representation of women in the higher judiciary. The association noted that since 2021, no woman judge has been appointed to the top court, which at present has only one woman on its Bench.

In a resolution dated August 30, the SCBA pointed out that several High Courts — including Uttarakhand, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Manipur — currently have no women judges at all. Across the country, out of nearly 1,100 sanctioned posts of High Court judges, around 670 are occupied by men while only 103 are held by women.

The Bar body also noted with “strong disappointment” that in the recent round of appointments to the Supreme Court, no woman from either the Bar or the Bench was elevated.

SCBA President Vikas Singh had earlier written to Chief Justice of India in May and July, stressing the need for at least proportional representation for women in the higher judiciary.

The Association said greater gender balance on the Bench was crucial not just for fair representation, but also for building public confidence, bringing in diverse perspectives, and reflecting the country’s social diversity in its highest court.

The resolution concluded by urging the Chief Justice of India and the Collegium to give “urgent and due consideration” to appointing and elevating more women judges in both the Supreme Court and the High Courts.

– Ends