170 Women Judges Appointed in High Courts Since 2014: Govt
Centre says 96 women elevated in last five years; six appointed to Supreme Court.
- 170 women judges appointed to High Courts since 2014.
- 96 of these appointments made in the last five years.
- Six women judges elevated to the Supreme Court.
- Government urges social diversity in judicial appointments.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 6th Feb: The Government on Friday informed Parliament that 170 women judges have been appointed to various High Courts across the country since 2014, including 96 in the last five years, while six women have been elevated to the Supreme Court during the same period.
The information was provided by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
The minister stated that appointments to the Supreme Court and High Courts are made under Articles 124, 217 and 224 of the Constitution, which do not provide for reservation for any caste or class. As per the Memorandum of Procedure, proposals for Supreme Court appointments are initiated by the Chief Justice of India, while proposals for High Court judges are initiated by the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
However, the government said it remains committed to improving social diversity in the judiciary. It has been urging Chief Justices of High Courts to consider candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities and women while recommending names for elevation.
According to the data as of February 2, 2026, the Supreme Court has a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, with 33 currently in position, including one woman judge. Across all High Courts, out of a sanctioned strength of 1,122 judges and a working strength of 814, a total of 116 women judges are currently serving.
The government reiterated that only those persons recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium are appointed as judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts.
