The lack of diversity and inclusiveness in judicial appointments remains one of the most serious challenges confronting India’s higher judiciary today. Women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, religious minorities, and other historically marginalised communities continue to be inadequately represented in the higher judicial system. A judiciary that reflects the social diversity of India is essential to strengthen public confidence in the constitutional promise of equal justice. Concerns regarding transparency and fairness in the appointment process also deserve serious attention. It is imperative to ensure public confidence that judicial appointments are guided by merit, constitutional values, and judicial independence rather than ideological considerations.

The concerns forcefully raised by Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy during the parliamentary debate on the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, have once again brought these fundamental issues into national focus. Merely increasing the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court cannot resolve the deeper challenges confronting the judiciary. Persistent vacancies in the High Courts, mounting case pendency, delays in the delivery of justice, and the absence of comprehensive judicial reforms require urgent attention. Meaningful reform must go beyond expanding judicial strength and focus on building a more representative, transparent, accountable, and constitutionally driven justice system.

Aatika Sajid
National Secretary
Social Democratic Party of India