Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness.
Approach · directive: “discuss”
What it asks · Argue why greater representation of women in the Supreme Court and High Courts is desirable, and note the obstacles and remedies.
The question has 2 parts — answer each
- Discuss why greater representation of women in the higher judiciary is desirable for diversity, equity and inclusiveness
- Note the present position, the barriers, and how representation can be improved
Open with · Women remain a small minority on India's higher courts; a bench that reflects society strengthens both the fairness and the credibility of justice.
Cover
- Legitimacy and equity: a diverse bench builds public trust and reflects the constitutional promise of equality (Articles 14 and 15) in the State's own institutions.
- Perspective: lived experience helps courts interpret gender issues sensitively, such as workplace harassment, domestic violence and marital rights.
- Access and role models: women judges encourage more women to join the Bar and the bench and make courts less intimidating for women litigants.
- Present position: the first woman Supreme Court judge, Justice Fathima Beevi, came only in 1989; three women judges were elevated together on 31 August 2021.
- Numbers (August 2023, Law Ministry to Rajya Sabha): 3 women judges in the Supreme Court, 106 in the High Courts, 7,199 in district and subordinate courts.
- Barriers: a thin pipeline (few women in the senior Bar and lower judiciary), opaque collegium selection, unfriendly workplaces, family burdens and stereotypes.
- Way forward: transparent, inclusive collegium criteria, a wider search pool, mentoring, better facilities and stronger recruitment in the lower judiciary; reservation remains debated.
Close with · Diversity should be built through fair, transparent selection and a stronger pipeline, so that representation improves both the legitimacy and the quality of justice.
Add value (verified)
- In August 2023 the Law Minister told the Rajya Sabha that 3 women judges were working in the Supreme Court, 106 in the High Courts and 7,199 in the district and subordinate courts. Govt has limited role in fixing of particular percentage for women judges in judiciary: Law Minister in RS - Akashvani News (10 August 2023) ↗“three women Judges are working in the Supreme Court, 106 women Judges are working in the High Courts and seven thousand 199 women Judges are working in the District and Subordinate Courts”
- Justice B. V. Nagarathna was elevated to the Supreme Court on 31 August 2021, one of three women judges appointed that day, and is due to retire in October 2027. Justice B.V. Nagarathna - Supreme Court of India ↗“Elevated as Judge of the Supreme Court of India on 31 st August 2021. Due to retire on 29th October, 2027.”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2021, GS Paper II — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer · 224 words (UPSC limit 150) · Minimalist IAS
Women remain a small minority on India's higher courts: the first woman judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Fathima Beevi, came only in 1989, and on 31 August 2021 three women judges were elevated together for the first time.
Why it is desirable
- Legitimacy and equity: a bench that mirrors society earns public trust and honours the promise of Articles 14 and 15 within the State's own institutions.
- Perspective: lived experience sharpens adjudication on sexual harassment, domestic violence and marital and reproductive rights.
- Inclusiveness: women judges make courts less intimidating for women litigants and draw more women to the Bar and the bench.
- Quality: diverse benches test assumptions and reduce stereotyped reasoning in judgments.
Present position and barriers
- Numbers stay low: in August 2023 the Law Ministry reported 3 women judges in the Supreme Court, 106 in the High Courts and about 7,200 in district courts.
- Barriers: a thin pipeline of women senior advocates and district judges, opaque collegium selection, unfriendly workplaces, family burdens and stereotypes.
Way forward
- Transparent, diversity-conscious collegium criteria and a wider search pool; mentoring, creches and safe workplaces; stronger recruitment in the district judiciary; reservation, which the Constitution does not provide, remains debated.
Representation must be built through fair, transparent selection and a stronger pipeline, so that a more diverse bench improves both the legitimacy and the quality of justice.
Written by Minimalist IAS from facts checked at source (how we verify) — a little fuller than exam length, so every part of the question is covered; in the hall, keep the structure and trim the detail. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.