Lok Sabha Question No. 2175 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-01
Subject: Inclusivity in the Higher Judiciary
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Rahul Gandhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2175 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 01 ST  AUGUST, 2025

## Inclusivity in the Higher Judiciary

## 2175. SHRI RAHUL GANDHI:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) the initiatives that are being taken to promote diversity and inclusivity in the Higher Judiciary;
- (b) the details of SC, ST, OBC, Minorities and Women Judges appointed in the High Courts since 2019;
- (c) whether  any  proposal  to  provide  reservation  in  the  appointment  and promotion of judicial staff in the High Courts is being considered; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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) & (b): 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, out of 753 Judges appointed from 2018 till 28.07.2025, 24 belong to SC category, 17 belong to ST category, 93 belong to OBC category and 42 belong to the minority category. 117 women were appointed as Judges in various High Courts during the same period.

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  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.

(c) & (d): The staff of the High Courts are to be appointed as per Rules made by the High Courts in accordance with the powers conferred by Article 229(2) of the Constitution,  which  provides  that 'the  conditions  of  service  of  officers  and servants of a High Court shall be such as may be prescribed by rules made by the Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  or  by  some  other  Judge  or  officer  of  the  Court authorised by the Chief Justice to make rules for the purpose'.

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