Chief Justice of India Surya Kant revealed that a robust mechanism is being developed to increase women’s representation in the legal profession. Emphasising his commitment, he said, “I am not a person who only make statements,” while highlighting steps including 30% reservation for women in Bar bodies.
CJI Surya Kant disclosed that he is working on a robust mechanism to boost women’s representation in the legal profession. Speaking at the Oxford Union organized in collaboration with the Oxford Law Society alongside Tanvi Dubey, Advocate on Record, at Oxford University, the Chief Justice participated in an interactive session.
During the discussion, he was asked about his firm position on gender representation particularly his support for 50% reservation for women on government panels and whether bar bodies would face suspension for refusing to comply with women’s quotas.
The attendee further argued that while such a stance reflects real commitment, the issue of representation at entry level and retention across a career are distinct challenges, noting that many women are entering the profession in India and thus a strong pipeline exists.
The CJI was therefore asked what structural changes are needed to ensure women are not lost between graduation and seniority.
In his response, CJI Kant said that while he has seen progress in women’s careers up to the district and high courts, he agreed with the attendee that many women are unable to sustain themselves in the legal profession.
The CJI added,
“In one of the conferences, I made a suggestion that 50 percent of appointment as law officers should be of women and I am not a person who only make statements We are working on a robust mechanism for longer perspective is being worked upon. In this backdrop, I have already reserved 30 percent seats for women seats in state bar election bodies, district bar associations and the Bar Council,”
He was also asked how he would use his powers as master of the roster to make the assignment process more transparent or even more distributed.
The CJI said,
“This concept of master of roster has been misinterpreted. Fundamentally all constitutional responsibilities are upon the CJI. Allocation of work is only one leg of that responsibility. Substantive matters are listed through automotive system, to ensure transparency and to ensure that roster is disclosed. Only personal expert in one area is given work in that area. Optimum utilization is the key focus while matters are allocated,”
Over a 20-minute address on the theme “Constitutional Promise to Digital Reality: Safeguarding Justice in the Age of AI and technological advancement,” the Chief Justice stressed that while technology can democratize access to justice, its use must remain rooted in the human heart of constitutional values.
He noted that the Constitution is an organic, living institution that must evolve with historical change. Citing Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., he said the enduring principles of liberty, equality, and justice remain the same, but the means of achieving them have fundamentally changed.
Warning against digital exclusion, CJI Kant said fundamental rights would become otiose (redundant) if they were not adapted to the digital era. He also argued that AI is pushing the legal community toward an interconnected, globalized landscape. While courts must respect their unique constitutional identities, he observed that jurisdictions can now learn from shared experiences and foreign precedents instantly.
In describing India’s approach, he said platforms such as SUPACE (for legal research) and SUVAS are intended only to assist judicial functioning, preserving human intellect rather than replacing it.
He concluded by noting that many changes triggered during the post-pandemic period have since been permanently built into a digital-first judicial ecosystem.