India needs more women judges in the Supreme Court , Pg6

Key Highlights:

• As of August 29, 2025, the Supreme Court of India has only one woman judge, Justice B.V. Nagarathna, out of 34 judges.
• Historically, only 11 women have been appointed to the Supreme Court since 1950, representing just 3.8% of all judges.
• The last time women were appointed to the Court was on August 31, 2021, when three women judges were appointed.
• Justice Nagarathna is scheduled to be the first woman Chief Justice of India for 36 days, from September 24, 2027, to October 29, 2027.

Detailed Insights:

• The Collegium's appointment process lacks transparency, with criteria for selection not clearly defined or publicly available.
• There is a lack of caste diversity among women judges, with Justice Fathima Beevi being the only woman judge from a minority faith.
• Only one woman, Justice Indu Malhotra, has been directly appointed to the Supreme Court from the Bar, highlighting gender disparity.
• Women judges are often appointed later in age, limiting their tenure and opportunities for senior positions like CJI or Collegium members.
• The inclusion of diverse perspectives from women judges enhances public trust and ensures a more representative court.
• The Supreme Court has promoted gender equality in Bar associations but lacks an institutionalized mandate for gender representation in constitutional courts.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Collegium System: The system by which judges are appointed and transferred in the Supreme Court and High Courts.
• Gender Disparity: Inequality between men and women, reflecting differences in opportunities, status, and treatment.
• Memorandum of Procedure: Document outlining the process for appointing judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.