Parliament Question: SC-ST Judges in Higher Judiciary and Union Tribunals

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4642 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 20TH MARCH, 2026 SC-ST JUDGES IN HIGHER JUDICIARY AND UNION TRIBUNALS 4642. THIRU DR. S JAGATHRATCHAKAN: Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state: (a) the number of individuals from Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe communities currently serving as Judges in various High Courts and the Supreme Court of India, State wise; (b) the number of individuals from SC/ST communities serving in Subordinate Courts, specifically in District Courts in each State; (c) whether the Government maintains data regarding the number of Judicial Officers from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities serving in the Union and State Tribunals constituted under various statutes, if so, the detailed information in this regard; (d) the details regarding the appointments of Judges or Judicial Officers from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities over the last five years in each State, including specific numbers; and (e) whether the reservation criteria have been excluded from the process of appointing Judges in Higher Courts and if so, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL) [1](a) to (e): Appointment of Judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts is made under Articles 124, 217 and 224 of the Constitution of India, which do not provide for reservation for any caste or class of persons. Therefore, category-wise data pertaining to representation of SCs, STs and OBCs among the Judges of High Courts are not centrally maintained. However, since 2018, the recommendees for the post of High Court Judges are required to provide details regarding their social background in the prescribed format (prepared in consultation with the Supreme Court). Accordingly, as per the information provided by the recommendees, out of 849 High Court Judges appointed since 2018, 33 belong to SC category, whereas 17 belong to ST category. As per the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), the responsibility for initiation of proposals for appointment of Judges in the Supreme Court vests with the Chief Justice of India, while the responsibility for initiation of proposals for appointment of Judges in the High Courts vests with the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court. However, the Government has been requesting the Chief Justices of High Courts that while sending proposals for appointment of Judges, due consideration be given to suitable candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities and Women to ensure social diversity in the appointment of Judges in High Courts. Only those persons, who are recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium, are appointed as Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. As far as appointment of judicial officers in District and Subordinate Courts is concerned, under Article 235 of the Constitution of India, the administrative control over the members of district and subordinate judiciary in the States vests with the concerned High Court. In exercise of powers conferred under proviso to Article 309 read with Articles 233 and 234 of the Constitution, the respective State Governments, in consultation with the High Court, frame the Rules and Regulations regarding the issue of appointment, promotion, reservations and retirement of Judicial Officers in the State Judicial Service. The number of Judicial Officers from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities serving in the Central and State Tribunals constituted under various statutes is not centrally maintained. **** [2]