Underrepresentation of Women in the Supreme Court of India

Women Judges in the Supreme Court of India

As of September 2024, the Supreme Court of India has seen only 11 women serve as judges since its inception in 1950. This marks a significant underrepresentation in a judicial system that has been operational for over 75 years.

Percentage of Women Judges

Women constitute approximately 4% of the total 276 judges who have held office in the Supreme Court throughout its history. This statistic highlights the persistent gender disparity within one of the country's highest judicial bodies.

Milestones in Women’s Representation

The first woman judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court was Justice Fathima Beevi in 1989, nearly four decades after the court's formation. Despite this milestone, there has yet to be a woman who has served as Chief Justice of India. Currently, Justice B.V. Nagarathna is poised to make history, although her expected tenure will be brief at just 36 days.

Challenges to Women's Representation

The low representation of women in the Supreme Court can be attributed to several complex factors:

• Gender Bias and Discrimination: Implicit or explicit biases may hinder women's advancement in the legal field.
• Lack of Support and Mentorship: Women often face obstacles in finding mentorship and support networks.
• Work-Life Balance Challenges: The demanding nature of judicial responsibilities can complicate personal life management.
• Smaller Pool of Eligible Candidates: Historically, fewer women have pursued careers in law, limiting the number of female candidates for the Supreme Court.

Proposed Solutions for Increasing Representation

To enhance the representation of women on the Supreme Court, various measures can be implemented:

• Promoting Gender Diversity: Encouraging women to enter and succeed in the legal profession can expand the pool of candidates.
• Implementing Affirmative Action Policies: Policies that prioritize qualified women for the Supreme Court can help achieve gender parity.
• Providing Mentorship and Support: Establishing mentorship programs can guide women in navigating their judicial careers.
• Addressing Work-Life Balance: Policies supporting work-life balance, such as flexible arrangements and childcare, can aid women in the judiciary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How many women have served on the Supreme Court of India?
Answer: Since its establishment in 1950, only 11 women have served as judges on the Supreme Court of India, highlighting a significant gender disparity.

Q2. Who was the first woman judge in the Supreme Court of India?
Answer: Justice Fathima Beevi was the first woman appointed as a judge in the Supreme Court in 1989, marking a historic milestone.

Q3. Why is the representation of women judges so low?
Answer: The low representation is due to factors like gender bias, lack of mentorship, work-life balance challenges, and a smaller pool of eligible candidates.

Q4. What are some solutions to increase women judges in the Supreme Court?
Answer: Solutions include promoting gender diversity, implementing affirmative action policies, providing mentorship, and addressing work-life balance concerns.

Q5. Has any woman ever been Chief Justice of India?
Answer: No, there has not yet been a woman Chief Justice of India, although Justice B.V. Nagarathna is set to become the first, albeit for a short tenure.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: How many women judges have served on the Supreme Court of India as of 2024?
A) 5
B) 11
C) 20
D) 15
Correct Answer: B

Question 2: Who was the first woman judge appointed to the Supreme Court?
A) Justice B.V. Nagarathna
B) Justice Fathima Beevi
C) Justice Leila Seth
D) Justice Indu Malhotra
Correct Answer: B

Question 3: What percentage of the Supreme Court judges are women?
A) 10%
B) 4%
C) 20%
D) 30%
Correct Answer: B

Question 4: What is one proposed solution to increase women's representation in the Supreme Court?
A) Reducing the number of judges
B) Implementing affirmative action policies
C) Limiting legal education for women
D) Increasing the retirement age
Correct Answer: B

Question 5: What is a significant barrier for women in judicial careers?
A) Lack of interest
B) Gender bias and discrimination
C) High salaries
D) Too many opportunities
Correct Answer: B

Question 6: Has there been a woman Chief Justice of India?
A) Yes, many times
B) No, but one is expected soon
C) Yes, once
D) No, and none are expected
Correct Answer: B