NEW DELHI: With just one out of 33 judges in SC and around 15% of judges in HCs being women, CJI Surya Kant, on International Women’s Day, admitted that their fair and equal participation in the judiciary remained an unfinished task and appealed to HC collegiums to consider elevation of more women to the bench.Of the total working strength of 781 judges in 25 HCs, the number of women judges is only 116. Over the years, 291 women judges had been appointed in HCs out of a total appointment of 5,161, which makes it a meagre 5.6%. No woman judge has been appointed to SC since Sept 2021.Speaking on “Half the Nation, Half the Bench” at an event on SC premises, the CJI said women judges do not bring a different standard of justice but they do bring in a distinct perspective, and diversity. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War Live Updates: Third US carrier on way as Israel launches ‘extensive strikes’ on IranFresh Food Airlifted Into UAE: LuLu flies 80,000 kg of Indian produce; more imports planned‘Xi’s world order died with Khamenei’: The good, the bad, and ugly of US-Iran war for ChinaHe said the institution must rise to address the concern of 650 million females in the country and make them believe the justice system understands the realities and would respond to them with fairness. He said institutional intent is not enough and should be accompanied by institutional imagination to realise the goal.”HC collegiums must recognise that the moment for measured action is not in the future, it is now… when suitable and meritorious women members are available at the Bar, then their consideration should not be an exception but a norm,” the CJI said.He underscored the need to widen the zone of consideration for judicial appointments and urged HCs not to reject candidates merely because they do not strictly meet the age requirement. “Where in certain HCs, if suitable women candidates within a particular age limit are not immediately available, that should not become a barrier,” he said.Justice Kant said the concern of enough women representation was being addressed, but more was needed. He said at present, two HCs have women chief justices, and with the elevation of Justice Lisa Gill, the number will rise to three. He mentioned Punjab and Haryana HC, which has 18 sitting women judges.”Every woman who takes a place on the bench sends a clear message to those who still face obstacle that your perseverance is not unseen and it is not in vain,” he said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Good Relations With Govt Of India’: Iran’s Envoy To Delhi On Bilateral Ties Amid West Asia WarIndian Expat In UAE Opens Farmhouse For Tourists Stranded By Flight Disruptions Amid West Asia WarIran War: India Dragged In? Anand Ranganathan Cuts Through The Noise I Sunday ScrutinyIndia, China Should See Each Other As ‘Partners, Not Rivals’: Chinese FM Wang Yi Pushes Closer TiesChhattisgarh: BJP Leader Arrested After Opium Crop Found Hidden In Maize Field, Party Suspends HimDecoding BJP’s “Final Frontier” in West Bengal: Key Constituencies, Demographics, and Electoral DynamicsDecoding BJP’s Final Frontier in Tamil Nadu: Key Constituencies, Demographics, and Electoral Dynamics‘Arrogance Will Be Shattered’: PM Modi Attacks Mamata Banerjee Over Murmu’s Santhal Event Row“Grew Up In A Family Where Women Were…” Rahul Gandhi Praises School Girls On Women’s DayIndia To Operationalise Integrated Theatre Commands Before CDS General Chauhan Retires: Reports123PhotostoriesChronic inflammation linked to heart disease and diabetes: Dietitian shares 7 everyday foods that can help reduce it naturally11 traditional Gujarati breakfast dishes that are a must-tryYour resting heart rate could signal future heart risk: Cardiologist explains warning signs and lifestyle changes to keep it healthy7 hyper local foods that PM Modi made popular via speeches, social media and Mann ki BaatWomen’s Day 2026: Aishwarya Rai, Kangana Ranaut, Deepika Padukone – Actresses who defined warrior royalty on-screenWomen’s Day 2026: Shefali Shah, Karishma Tanna, Kajol – Powerful female characters on OTT that redefined storytellingTop 6 tallest buildings in Hong KongFrom luxurious bungalows worth approximately Rs 70 crore to a farmhouse in Dehradun: Archana Puran Singh’s lavish lifestyle4 habits of ancient yogis while eating food that need to make a comeback7 underrated vegetarian dishes with more protein than paneer123Hot PicksMiddle East Oil RisksIran Mobile Missile LauncersDwarka ExpresswayUttam Nagar murderIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingFortnite Wild Weeks Power Hour EventDaksh ChaudharyUPSC ResultsMiddle East ConflictNoida AirportCody RhodesWWE Smackdown HighlightsUCEED ResultBombay High CourtWhere to watch ind vs nz t20
NEW DELHI: With just one out of 33 judges in SC and around 15% of judges in HCs being women, CJI Surya Kant, on International Women’s Day, admitted that their fair and equal participation in the judiciary remained an unfinished task and appealed to HC collegiums to consider elevation of more women to the bench.Of the total working strength of 781 judges in 25 HCs, the number of women judges is only 116. Over the years, 291 women judges had been appointed in HCs out of a total appointment of 5,161, which makes it a meagre 5.6%. No woman judge has been appointed to SC since Sept 2021.Speaking on “Half the Nation, Half the Bench” at an event on SC premises, the CJI said women judges do not bring a different standard of justice but they do bring in a distinct perspective, and diversity. He said the institution must rise to address the concern of 650 million females in the country and make them believe the justice system understands the realities and would respond to them with fairness. He said institutional intent is not enough and should be accompanied by institutional imagination to realise the goal.“HC collegiums must recognise that the moment for measured action is not in the future, it is now… when suitable and meritorious women members are available at the Bar, then their consideration should not be an exception but a norm,” the CJI said.He underscored the need to widen the zone of consideration for judicial appointments and urged HCs not to reject candidates merely because they do not strictly meet the age requirement. “Where in certain HCs, if suitable women candidates within a particular age limit are not immediately available, that should not become a barrier,” he said.Justice Kant said the concern of enough women representation was being addressed, but more was needed. He said at present, two HCs have women chief justices, and with the elevation of Justice Lisa Gill, the number will rise to three. He mentioned Punjab and Haryana HC, which has 18 sitting women judges.“Every woman who takes a place on the bench sends a clear message to those who still face obstacle that your perseverance is not unseen and it is not in vain,” he said.
