Parliament Question: Social Diversity and Representation in Higher Judiciary

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3321 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 07th AUGUST, 2026 SOCIAL DIVERSITY AND REPRESENTATION IN HIGHER JUDICIARY †3321. SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA: Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the relatively disproportionate representation of various social categories, regions and women in the appointment of judges to the High Courts and the Supreme Court, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has consolidated data regarding the social category, gender and regional representation of judges in the High Courts and the Supreme Court, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has conducted any study or consultation regarding the enhancement of the participation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, women and Economically Weaker Sections in the higher judiciary, if so, the key findings thereof; and (d) the policy steps being taken by the Government to promote transparency, equal opportunity and broader social representation in the higher judiciary? 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) (a) to (d): 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 any caste or class of persons among the Judges of Supreme Court and the High Courts is not centrally available. 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 High Courts 1vests with the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court. However, the Government is committed to enhancing social diversity in judiciary and 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. *** 2