India's Supreme Court faces renewed criticism after recent judicial appointments failed to address severe gender imbalance. The country's highest court currently operates with just one female justice among its members. This represents a dramatic decline from September 2021, when five women served simultaneously on the bench. Three of those pioneering female justices have retired without replacement by women candidates. The Supreme Court Bar Association issued statements expressing disappointment over the collegium's selection process that consistently overlooks qualified female judges.
Historical data reveal that women comprise merely 3.8 percent of all Supreme Court appointments since 1950. High courts across the nation demonstrate similar patterns, with 103 women compared to 670 male justices. Legal experts argue that gender diversity enhances judicial decision-making and reflects societal demographics more accurately. The lower judiciary achieves 40 percent female representation through merit-based examinations. Reform advocates propose establishing targets to increase women's participation in higher judicial positions within five years.
Historical data reveal that women comprise merely 3.8 percent of all Supreme Court appointments since 1950. High courts across the nation demonstrate similar patterns, with 103 women compared to 670 male justices. Legal experts argue that gender diversity enhances judicial decision-making and reflects societal demographics more accurately. The lower judiciary achieves 40 percent female representation through merit-based examinations. Reform advocates propose establishing targets to increase women's participation in higher judicial positions within five years.
