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30 percent women reservation in Bar Associations: New Delhi, January 22, 2026 – The Supreme Court has directed the Registrars General of all High Courts, including Karnataka, to verify compliance with its previous order mandating that at least 30 percent of office bearers and executive committee members in Bar Associations be women. The Court has asked for detailed, association-wise reports to be submitted, along with remedial action taken in cases of non-compliance.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the direction while hearing a batch of special leave petitions arising from a Karnataka High Court judgment. Senior counsel appearing in the matter informed the Court that several Bar Associations in Karnataka had either failed to comply or had only partially complied with the Supreme Court’s directive dated March 24, 2025.
Under that earlier order, all District, Taluka, and other Bar Associations were required to ensure that a minimum of 30 percent representation of women lawyers be maintained among office bearers and executive committee members. Registrars General of all High Courts were tasked with overseeing the implementation of this mandate.
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During the hearing, it was noted that despite the Supreme Court’s order, many Bar Associations conducted elections without electing women as office bearers or without ensuring adequate representation in their executive committees. In light of this, the Bench emphasized the need for accurate verification and corrective action.
The Court directed that the Registrars General collect precise data for every Bar Association within their jurisdiction and submit comprehensive compliance reports to the Supreme Court. The Bench clarified that wherever non-compliance is identified, the Registrars General must take remedial measures to ensure adherence to the 30 percent representation requirement before filing the compliance report.
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The Bench stated: “We direct the Registrar General of the High Court of Karnataka as well as all other Registrars General to collect the correct facts with respect to every Bar Association within their territorial jurisdiction and submit a compliance report to this Court. It goes without saying that wherever it comes to the notice of the Registrar General that a Bar Association has failed to ensure 30% representation to women lawyers in the manner as was directed by this Court, necessary remedial steps shall be taken to ensure such representation, following which a compliance report shall be filed.”
The Court has listed the matters for further consideration on March 13, 2026.
Case Title: DEEKSHA N AMRUTHESH Versus STATE OF KARNATAKA AND ORS., SLP(C) No. 1404/2025 and other connected cases.
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