CJI SURYA KANT CALLS ON HIGH COURT COLLEGIUMS TO CONSIDER WOMEN ADVOCATES FROM SUPREME COURT FOR ELEVATION:

On International Women's Day, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant urged High Court collegiums nationwide to actively prioritize women advocates for judicial appointments, making their consideration a standard practice rather than an occasional exception. Speaking at the inauguration of the International Women in Law Conference, organized by Senior Advocates Mahalaxmi Pavani and Shobha Gupta under the theme “Half the Nation, Half the Bench,” the CJI stressed the urgent need for concrete measures to enhance women's representation on the Bench. He emphasized that the time for deliberate and measured action is the present, not some distant future. When qualified women are available at the Bar, their inclusion should become the norm.

The CJI specifically appealed to High Court collegiums to expand their scope of consideration and include women advocates from their respective states who are practicing in the Supreme Court. He cautioned against mechanically rejecting suitable candidates solely because they do not strictly meet prescribed age limits. In cases where qualified women within the typical age bracket are not readily available in certain High Courts, this should not serve as an insurmountable obstacle. Instead, collegiums should broaden their horizons to encompass such advocates practicing at the apex court.

Reflecting on the historical struggles of women in the legal profession, the Chief Justice recalled that barely a century ago, under colonial rule, women were barred from even practicing law. The progress achieved since then stems not from concessions but from consistent demonstrations of competence amid persistent doubt and resistance. Invoking the words of Justice Fathima Beevi, India's first woman Supreme Court judge, he noted that her appointment symbolically opened a door in 1989, and that door must remain open and continue to widen. When half of India's population sees limited reflection of itself in the judiciary, it poses a serious institutional concern. Women's presence on the Bench should evolve from individual achievements into an established institutional norm.

Encouraging developments are already visible, the CJI observed. Currently, two women serve as Chief Justices of High Courts, with the number set to rise to three following Justice Lisa Gill's elevation. He commended the Punjab and Haryana High Court for having 18 sitting women judges, while also highlighting substantial representation in the Madras and Bombay High Courts. Particularly noteworthy is the district judiciary, where women constitute approximately 37% of judges. This strong foundation at the grassroots level signals that greater inclusion higher up is inevitable with time, provided the pipeline is nurtured from its source. A narrow base at entry levels inevitably restricts breadth at senior positions.

The CJI underscored that including women judges does not change the core of justice—the Constitution, the oath, and the office remain unchanged. However, women bring valuable lived experiences that enrich judicial understanding and adjudication. He acknowledged the disproportionate gender-based challenges women lawyers face, from late-night briefings to unreported biases, yet many have thrived through belief in the profession's ethos. The visibility of women judges inspires younger generations, making aspirations feel achievable.

Addressing merit concerns, the Chief Justice clarified that advocating for greater representation is about ensuring a fair starting line, not preferential treatment. Women seek equality, not concessions, and male members of the Bar must recognize this. He concluded by stressing that institutional intent alone is insufficient; it must be backed by tangible action to build a robust architecture of opportunity. He also referenced Supreme Court directives mandating at least one-third women's representation in Bar Councils and Associations as part of these efforts.