Breaking the glass ceiling in India’s judiciary

For decades, the corridors of India’s higher judiciary have echoed with the voices of an overwhelming male establishment. Despite the growing presence of women in the legal profession, their representation in High Courts and the Supreme Court remains alarmingly low.

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Recently, the Centre for Law and Policy Research (CLPR) convened a crucial Roundtable in Chennai with senior women lawyers from the Madras High Court to confront this imbalance and push for systemic change.

The consensus was clear that India needs a radical shift in judicial appointments. A 50% reservation for women, with a minimum of 33%, must be enforced to break the cycle of exclusion. Judicial elevation lists should always include women, ensuring that gender representation is not left to chance. Even ad hoc judges must be subject to these quotas. Furthermore, every time a woman judge retires, her seat must be filled by another woman to prevent regression.

The opaque collegium system remains a major roadblock. Decisions on judicial appointments are often made behind closed doors, with a small circle of male judges and senior advocates shaping the process. To counter this, women must have a voice in selection panels, and appointment procedures must be transparent, with vacancies and recommendations made public. A Judicial Recruitment Commission could oversee this process, ensuring fairness.

Data is power, and a centralized system must track and publish statistics on women in the judiciary. High Courts should maintain dashboards displaying gender diversity metrics, holding the system accountable. Alongside policy changes, media advocacy, legal symposiums, and collective lobbying will be key in ensuring that women lawyers don’t just occupy the courtroom, but the bench itself. It’s high time to open the doors that have been shut for too long.