New Reservation Framework
Supreme Court Mandates Greater Inclusion of Women in State Bar Councils: The Supreme Court has directed that 30% representation for women must be ensured in State Bar Councils where elections are yet to be announced. This marks a significant push towards improving gender balance in the legal profession. The order mandates that 20% of seats be filled through elections and 10% through co-option.
Co-option allows members to be added through invitation by existing council members, creating space for representation where traditional electoral pathways may remain restrictive. This directive is expected to bring structural inclusion into bodies that play a key role in regulating legal practice.
Role of State Bar Councils
State Bar Councils operate under the Advocates Act 1961, a law that laid the foundation for the Bar Council of India (BCI) and State Bar Councils in every state. These bodies maintain rolls of advocates and safeguard their professional rights. The BCI sets standards of conduct and exercises supervisory control over State Councils.
Static GK fact: The Bar Council of India was established in 1961 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
Current Representation Levels
Women remain severely underrepresented across legal institutions. There is no woman member in the 20-member BCI, and State Bar Councils currently have only 9 women among 441 representatives. The shortage extends to the higher judiciary, where the Supreme Court has had only 11 women judges since independence.
High Courts also reflect this gap, with women constituting just 13.4% of judges. Static GK fact: India’s first woman judge of the Supreme Court was Justice Fathima Beevi, appointed in 1989.
Trends in Lower Judiciary
The district judiciary shows relatively better representation. According to the State of the Judiciary Report 2023, women account for 36.3% of judges at this level. This indicates improved entry but highlights retention challenges as positions become more senior.
Static GK Tip: The district judiciary forms the backbone of India’s justice delivery system and handles over 80% of the country’s litigation volume.
Barriers to Women’s Participation
Entry into the judiciary is often hindered by eligibility conditions requiring continuous legal practice, which many women struggle to maintain due to familial responsibilities. Retention within the judicial system faces hurdles such as rigid transfers and slow career progression.
Physical infrastructure also affects participation. Many courts lack essential facilities like women’s washrooms, creche spaces, and family-friendly areas, discouraging professional continuity. Deep-rooted patriarchal norms continue to shape perceptions about women’s roles and suitability within the legal field.
Impact of the Supreme Court Directive
The reservation directive is expected to strengthen gender representation in institutions that shape the profession’s future. Improved visibility of women in leadership roles within Bar Councils may encourage more women to enter and remain within the legal system. It also aligns with the broader national discourse on improving diversity and equity in public institutions.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Supreme Court Mandates Greater Inclusion of Women in State Bar Councils:
| Topic | Detail |
| Reservation Mandate | 30% seats for women in State Bar Councils |
| Election–Co-option Split | 20% elected, 10% co-opted |
| Governing Law | Advocates Act 1961 |
| BCI Composition | No current woman member in 20-member BCI |
| SBC Representation | 9 women among 441 members |
| Supreme Court Women Judges | 11 since independence |
| High Court Women Judges | 13.4% of total |
| District Judiciary | 36.3% women judges |
| Key Report | State of the Judiciary Report 2023 |
| Objective | Enhance gender diversity in legal institutions |
