Supreme Court Proposes Permanent Woman Vice-President Post in SCBA

The Supreme Court of India proposed on 8 May 2026 a permanent women-only Vice-President post in the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) from the 2027-28 cycle. The proposal was issued during hearings on reforms in Bar bodies and was linked to representation of women in the SCBA’s elected office-bearer structure.

Supreme Court Bar Association

The Supreme Court Bar Association is the recognised association of advocates practising before the Supreme Court of India. Its office-bearer posts include the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and members of the executive committee.

Women’s Reservation in Bar Bodies

The court asked the SCBA General Body Meeting to consider creating an additional Vice-President post exclusively for women. The order also recalled an earlier direction of 27 April 2026, which had reserved the Vice-President post for women for the 2026-27 elections. After objections from several women lawyers, the court restored the earlier arrangement for the 2026-27 elections. Under that arrangement, the Secretary’s post, two posts in the senior executive committee, and three posts in the executive committee remain reserved for women members.

SCBA Electoral Structure

The SCBA elects office-bearers through annual elections, and its posts are governed by the association’s rules and resolutions. The proposed permanent women-only Vice-President post was linked to the 2027-28 electoral cycle. Seven women members of the SCBA, including R Shase and Savita Devi, had moved an application before the court. Their plea stated that the Secretary’s post has greater functional significance than the Vice-President’s post.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Supreme Court of India was established on 26 January 1950 under the Constitution of India.
• The Supreme Court Bar Association is the bar association of advocates practising in the Supreme Court of India.
• Bar associations in India often reserve posts for women members through internal rules and election resolutions.
• The office of Chief Justice of India is the highest judicial office in the Supreme Court of India.

Women Representation in Legal Bodies

Reservation of posts for women in professional associations is a form of internal representation measure used in several legal bodies in India. The SCBA proposal concerns an additional elected post and not a statutory constitutional office.