Supreme Court Reserves SCBA Vice President Post for Women in 2026 Elections

In Supreme Court Bar Association v. BD Kaushik, the Supreme Court has directed that the post of Vice President in the 2026 elections of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Executive Committee be reserved for women advocates. The order marks another step towards improving gender representation in bar bodies.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice KV Viswanathan passed the direction while considering the structure of upcoming SCBA elections. The Court emphasised the need for gradual and meaningful progress in ensuring women’s participation in leadership roles within the legal profession.

The Court also laid down a clear timeline for the election process. It directed the current SCBA Executive Committee to notify the Election Committee by May 29. Thereafter, the Election Committee is required to publish the election schedule by July 13, when the Court reopens.

Further, the Bench stated that the entire election process must be completed by August, with results declared within that period. The newly elected Executive Committee will assume office on August 7, ensuring a structured and timely transition.

Importantly, the decision was taken with the consent of the SCBA. Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the association, agreed to the proposal of earmarking the Vice President post for women. The Court appreciated this approach, noting that the SCBA has consistently supported institutional reforms suggested by the judiciary.

Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that the SCBA sets an example for bar associations across the country. He highlighted that such steps contribute to building a more inclusive and representative legal system, where women advocates have greater access to leadership opportunities.

This development builds upon earlier directions of the Supreme Court aimed at ensuring women’s representation in bar bodies. In 2024, the Court had mandated a minimum one-third reservation for women in SCBA posts. At that time, the post of Treasurer was specifically reserved for a woman candidate.

The Court had also directed reservation in executive committees, including junior and senior bodies, to ensure broader participation. Over time, similar measures have been extended to High Court and District Bar Associations, where key positions and committee roles have been earmarked for women.

During the present hearing, it was also noted that the SCBA has never had a woman President. The Court’s emphasis on reserving senior posts like Vice President reflects a shift towards addressing this long-standing gap in leadership representation.

Additionally, recent directions have extended similar reservation principles to the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), including posts such as Secretary and Joint Treasurer.

The present order reflects a continued judicial effort to institutionalise gender inclusion within the legal profession. By ensuring representation in influential positions, the Court seeks to create a more balanced and equitable framework for governance within bar associations.