Lok Sabha Question No. 5723 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Initiatives to Increase Female Enrolment in Legal Education
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Rajmohan Unnithan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5723 ANSWERED ON 04.04.2025

## Initiatives to Increase Female Enrolment in Legal Education

## 5723. Shri Rajmohan Unnithan:

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

- (a) the steps taken by the Government to ensure higher enrolment of women in legal courses as there is a decline in enrolment of females in LL.B. courses;
- (b)  whether the Government intends to formulate any special scholarships/schemes on par with STEM courses for women to pursue legal education; and
- (c)  if so, the details thereof and if not, 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)

- (a):  The Bar Council of India, established under the Advocates Act, 1961, is a statutory body entrusted with the responsibility of regulating legal education and the legal profession in India. As per data provided by the Bar Council of India, a total of 2,36,403 candidates registered  for  the  All  India  Bar  Examination-XIX  (AIBE-XIX)  held  in  the  month  of December, 2024 out of which 82,402 were female candidates, constituting 34.85% of total examinees.  This  reflects a steady  participation of women  in  the  post-qualification examination process and indicates a sustained interest in Law as a career.

While there is no statutory reservation under the Advocates Act, 1961, several Central and  State Universities, as well as National Law  Universities  (NLUs),  have  taken independent  initiatives  to  promote  legal  education  among  women.  These  include  merit cum means scholarships for female candidates, fee concessions, hostel subsidies, and the development of gender inclusive campuses. In some public universities, a limited number of  seats  are  reserved  for  women  under  institutional  quotas,  facilitated  by  the  enabling power  of  Article  15(3)  of  the  Indian  Constitution.  Additionally,  women  focused  legal awareness programmes are being conducted in rural and semi urban regions to improve access and motivation for legal education .

(b)  &  (c):  With  regard  to  the  formulation  of  special  or  targeted  scholarship  schemes specifically for women pursuing legal education, on par with those introduced in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), University Grant Commission (UGC) is implementing the scheme of 'Development of Women's Studies in Indian  Universities  and  Colleges'.  This  scheme  provides  funds  for  setting  up  Women Studies  Centers  (WSCs)  in  universities  and  colleges,  focusing  on  teaching,  research, curriculum development, training and outreach activities. Currently, while various scholarships for higher education are provided through the University Grants Commission (UGC),  Ministry of Education,  and  other  State  departments,  there is no  centrally administered  scheme  exclusively  focused  on  promoting  women's  enrolment  in  law courses.

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