The Supreme Court of India issued notice on a petition filed for seeking 30 percent reservation for women lawyers in government law officer positions, including Central and State government panels as well as Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

The plea, filed by Ladli Foundation Trust, highlights the severe underrepresentation of women in top legal positions and points out that India has never had a woman Attorney General or Solicitor General. It further states that none of the present Additional Solicitors General appearing before various High Courts are women.

The matter was briefly heard by a Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi.

During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant referred to the recent reservation provided for women in Bar Associations and shared an instance from the Telangana Bar Association, where a woman lawyer was recently appointed Secretary.

“Out of around 8,000 lawyers who regularly practice, nearly 2,000 are women, but only one woman member was appointed,” the CJI observed.

Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the petitioner, relied upon a recent survey conducted by the Supreme Court Bar Association regarding the challenges faced by women advocates and urged the Court to ensure better inclusion of women in government legal panels.

Senior Advocate Dr. Monika Gusain also informed the Court that women advocates continue to face multiple professional difficulties within the legal system.

According to the petition, although women increasingly join law schools and the legal profession, their representation sharply declines in positions of authority and institutional leadership. The plea states that women constitute only about 15.31% of the total enrolled advocates in India.

The petition also raises concerns over the low representation of women in the higher judiciary. It notes that in the 35 years since Justice M. Fathima Beevi became the first woman judge of the Supreme Court in 1989, only 11 women have been elevated to the apex court.

The petitioner argued that government law officer panels often act as feeder positions for judicial appointments and leadership roles within the Bar. Therefore, the exclusion of women from such positions directly impacts their chances of elevation to constitutional courts.

The Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter further 10th August, 2026.

Case Details:-

W.P.(C) No. 471/2026
LADLI FOUNDATION TRUST MUDIT GUPTA
Versus
UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.