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.
It asks 2 things — 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 · Justice Fathima Beevi became the first woman judge of the Supreme Court only in 1989; three women judges were elevated together on 31 August 2021.
Cover
- Diversity of perspective: lived experience sharpens adjudication on sexual harassment, domestic violence and reproductive rights.
- Equity and legitimacy: a representative bench honours Articles 14 and 15; SDG indicator 16.7.1 tracks how far the judiciary mirrors the population.
- Inclusiveness: women judges make courts less intimidating for women litigants and draw more women to the Bar.
- Present position (Law Ministry, August 2023): 3 women judges in the Supreme Court, 106 in the High Courts, 7,199 in district courts.
- Barriers: thin pipeline, opaque collegium criteria with no constitutional quota, family burdens and stereotypes.
- Way forward: the Standing Committee's 133rd Report (2023) asked collegiums to recommend an adequate number of women; build the district-judiciary pipeline.
Close with · The UN marks 10 March as the International Day of Women Judges; meeting SDG 5.5 needs higher courts that look like the nation they serve.
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.”
- SDG target 16.7 seeks representative decision-making; its indicator 16.7.1 measures positions in national institutions, including the judiciary, against national distributions.Goal 16 - United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Sustainable Development ↗“Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels”
- SDG target 5.5 seeks women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life.Goal 5 - United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Sustainable Development ↗“Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life”
- The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice (report on Judicial Processes and their Reforms, 7 August 2023) asked both Supreme Court and High Court collegiums to recommend an adequate number of women.Judicial Processes and their Reforms - Standing Committee Report Summary (PRS Legislative Research) ↗“It suggested that the Supreme Court and High Court’s Collegiums should recommend an adequate number of women and candidates from marginalised communities including minorities.”
- The United Nations observes 10 March as the International Day of Women Judges.International Day of Women Judges - United Nations ↗“To achieve justice, we need more women in justice”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2021, GS Paper II — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 3 Oct 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer· 226words · Minimalist IAS
Justice Fathima Beevi became the first woman judge of the Supreme Court only in 1989; three women judges were elevated together on 31 August 2021. A bench that looks like the people it judges serves diversity, equity and inclusiveness.
Why more women judges serve diversity, equity and inclusiveness
- Diversity of perspective: lived experience sharpens adjudication on sexual harassment, domestic violence and reproductive rights.
- Equity: a representative bench honours Articles 14 and 15 within the State's own institutions.
- Inclusiveness: women judges make courts less intimidating for women litigants and draw women to the Bar.
- Legitimacy: SDG indicator 16.7.1 tracks how far the judiciary mirrors the population.
Present position and barriers
| Court (August 2023) | Women judges |
|---|---|
| Supreme Court | 3 |
| High Courts | 106 |
| District and subordinate courts | 7,199 |
- Thin pipeline: few women senior advocates and district judges reach the zone of elevation.
- Opaque selection: collegium criteria are not clearly laid down; the Constitution provides no quota.
- Social barriers: family burdens and stereotypes.
Way forward
- Diverse recommendations: the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice (133rd Report, 2023) urged both collegiums to recommend an adequate number of women.
- Pipeline: stronger recruitment and mentoring in the district judiciary.
The UN marks 10 March as the International Day of Women Judges; meeting SDG 5.5, women's full participation and leadership in public life, needs higher courts that look like the nation they serve.
Prepared by Minimalist IAS to the answer standard of Shivam Singh (mentor, 7 years) · facts checked against official sources (how we verify) · updated 3 Oct 2026. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.
