Supreme Court Seeks Govt Response on 30% Women Lawyers Quota – PIL by Ladli Foundation Trust

<h2>Supreme Court Seeks Govt Response on 30% Women Lawyers Quota</h2> <p>On <strong>20 May 2026</strong>, a three‑judge bench of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Supreme Court – India’s apex judicial body that interprets the Constitution and adjudicates disputes involving the Union and states (GS2: Polity)">Supreme Court</span> issued notices to the Centre, all states and union territories. The notices pertain to a public interest litigation (<span class="key-term" data-definition="Public Interest Litigation – A legal action initiated in court for the protection of public interest, often used to enforce fundamental rights (GS2: Polity)">PIL</span>) filed by the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Ladli Foundation Trust – A civil‑society trust that works for women’s empowerment and gender‑sensitive reforms (GS4: Ethics)">Ladli Foundation Trust</span>. The petition seeks a mandatory <span class="key-term" data-definition="30% quota – A reservation policy requiring at least thirty percent representation for a designated group, here women, in specific positions (GS2: Polity)">30% quota</span> for women lawyers in all government‑appointed legal panels and law‑officer posts.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>The bench, comprising <strong>Chief Justice Surya Kant</strong>, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, noted submissions by senior advocate <strong>Vikas Singh</strong>, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association.</li> <li>Notices were sent to the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Centre – The Union Government of India, responsible for national policy and administration (GS2: Polity)">Centre</span>, state governments and <span class="key-term" data-definition="Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) – Government‑owned corporations that operate in various sectors of the economy (GS3: Economy)">PSUs</span> to respond to the demand for a <span class="key-term" data-definition="30% quota – A reservation policy requiring at least thirty percent representation for a designated group, here women, in specific positions (GS2: Polity)">30% quota</span> for women lawyers.</li> <li>The petition invokes <span class="key-term" data-definition="Article 32 – The constitutional provision that guarantees the right to constitutional remedies, allowing individuals to approach the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of fundamental rights (GS2: Polity)">Article 32</span> of the Constitution.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The petition argues that despite a surge in women enrolments in law schools, women face systemic barriers in professional advancement. It cites empirical data showing a gender gap in appointments to legal panels, high‑court benches, and law‑officer positions. The relief sought includes reservation across all tiers – from the Supreme Court panels to local legal‑aid authorities and corporate legal departments of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) – Government‑owned