Today, On 5th January, The Supreme Court has reduced the State Bar Council election nomination fee for specially abled advocates from Rs.1.25 lakh to Rs.15,000. The Court also directed the Bar Council of India to amend rules for future inclusive elections.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court heard a plea concerning reservation for specially abled advocates in State Bar Council elections.
The bench, comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi , examined both the issue of representation and the high nomination fee required to contest elections.
Senior Advocate Indira Jaisingh, appearing for the petitioners, highlighted the challenges faced by specially abled advocates.
She stated,
“We had sought reservation and removal of the Rs.1.2 lakh fee required to contest elections.”
Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra informed the court that accommodating specially abled advocates in the main council this year may be difficult, but assured that they could be included in other disciplinary committees.
The Chief Justice of India raised the possibility of reducing the fee, asking,
“Would it be acceptable if the fee is reduced from Rs.1.25 lakh to Rs.25,000?”
Jaisingh responded that even Rs.25,000 was high for new advocates and suggested,
“Even Rs.25,000 is on the higher side. Let them begin earning through notary work.”
When asked about a feasible concession, Mishra proposed a reduced fee of Rs.15,000.
The Supreme Court, taking note of these submissions, passed the following orders:
- On representation, the Court acknowledged the need to ensure adequate inclusion of specially abled advocates in the forthcoming elections. Since the election process has already begun in most State Bar Councils, the BCI Chairman stated that adequate representation will be ensured by co-opting such advocates into various committees.
- Regarding the nomination fee, it was agreed that advocates belonging to the specially abled category who seek to contest elections shall pay a nominal fee of Rs.15,000 instead of Rs.1.25 lakh. The Court clarified that this concession will be strictly limited to the specially abled category, and no parity shall be extended to other contesting advocates.
Additionally, the Court directed the Bar Council of India to initiate the process of amending its rules so that future elections ensure adequate representation for all categories for whom reservation is contemplated under the constitutional framework or applicable welfare legislations.
This ruling marks a key step in making Bar Council elections more accessible and inclusive for specially abled advocates across India.
Case Title: PANKAJ SINHA V BAR COUNCIL OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 1261/2025
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