Parliament Question: Social diversity in judiciary

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 751 ANSWERED ON-05/02/2026 SOCIAL DIVERSITY IN JUDICIARY 751. SHRI RYAGA KRISHNAIAH: Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state: (a) the present position regarding social diversity in judiciary in the background of recent SC decision to implement reservation in the staff appointments; (b) whether Government has taken up the issue of reservation in appointments of judges in SC and HCs in the light of remarks by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and if so, the action taken in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor; and (c) the details of appointment of judges to HCs since 2021 from OBC castes? 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 (c): 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. 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). As per the information provided by the recommendees, 80 Judges belonging to OBC category have been appointed since 01.01.2021 till 30.01.2026. 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, 1while the responsibility for initiation of proposals for appointment of Judges in High Courts vests 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