Collegium System and Gender Gap in Higher Courts

Abstract

Abstract The Indian judiciary is an important institution for ensuring justice and equality, there is a gap in it significant gender gap in the higher courts. Women make up almost 38% of judges in the representation of district and subordinate courts is quite low, and the Supreme Court is as low as 3%. In both the Court and High Courts, the percentage of women was low at 14.8% (116 women out of 830 judges). Of 781 judges) as of early 2026.The system of collegium, in charge of the appointment and rotation of officers. Elevation of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts, has come under scrutiny for this is contributing to the imbalance. It may be opaque and subjective, favoring established. Although, networks have been established making it difficult for meritorious women lawyers to reach the higher bench even though they are meritorious. Growing numbers of women in the legal profession and lower judiciary. This paper sets out to enlighten its readers about the concept of collegium system and its connection to Indian courts' gender disparity that has remained constant over time. Research using secondary sources and descriptive/analytical approach. In method, it investigates the drastic decrease in the percentage of female members in lower court to higher court, the problems encountered by the women advocates, and the recent observation by the Chief Justice of India. Encouraging collegiums in the High Court to see the promotion of women as “the norm, not an exception. “The final section argues for the need for greater transparency, wider consideration of women candidates and the possible reform of collegium process. Such changes can help to ensure fairer the representation of women as judges without reference to any informal barriers, finally, increasing public trust and diversity in India's justice delivery system.