Context:
Supreme Court (SC) directed 33% reservation for women in SC Bar Association (SCBA) Posts.
Key Points:
- Supreme Court mandated 33% reservation for women in the executive committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
- This means a minimum of 3 out of 9 seats in the executive committee and 2 out of 6 senior executive member positions will be reserved for women.
- This reservation does not prevent eligible women from contesting other unreserved posts, and one office-bearer position will be exclusively reserved for women on a rotational basis.
- This ensures a minimum representation of women in the SCBA while allowing them to compete for all positions.
Women’s Representation in Indian Judiciary:
- Only 11 women have been Supreme Court judges since 1989, with just 3 currently serving among 33 judges.
- Women comprise only 4.1% of all Supreme Court judges, with the remaining 96% being men.
- More women judges are present at the district court level than the High Court level.
- Justice Nagarathna is expected to become the first female Chief Justice of India in 2027.
- In a historic move in 2021, 3 women judges were appointed to the Supreme Court at once.
Supreme Court Bar Association:
- Legal Status –Registered under the “Societies Registration Act-XXI of 1860“.
- Membership – Subject to the provisions of Rules, every Advocate entitled to practice law, shall be eligible for Membership to the Association.
- An applicant found suitable for membership is initially granted temporary membership for 2 years.
- Upon completion of the temporary membership period, eligible temporary members may apply for regular membership.
- Executive Committee – Responsible for managing the association’s affairs.
- Composition of the committee – A President, Vice-President, Secretary and 15 Members, of whom at least 6 must hold the designation of Senior Advocates.
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
The power to increase the number of Judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) The President of India
(b) The Parliament
(c) The Chief Justice of India
(d) The Law Commission
Answer: (b)
