New Delhi: In a forthright assertion underscoring the Constitution’s unwavering commitment to meritocracy, the Union government on Tuesday clarified in the Lok Sabha that appointments to judgeships in the Supreme Court and High Courts remain bereft of any reservation provisions.
This revelation, delivered amid growing clamour from Opposition benches, dispels notions of caste- or class-based quotas in the hallowed halls of justice, while spotlighting the Centre’s proactive nudge towards greater social inclusivity.
Responding to queries on enhancing representation for marginalised groups, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale invoked Articles 124, 217, and 224 of the Constitution, which delineate the appointment framework without a whisper of reservations. “The sacred duty of judicial selection rests with the Supreme Court Collegium for the apex court and the High Court Chief Justices for subordinate benches,” Athawale emphasised, noting that the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) guides this process without category-wise mandates.
Consequently, the government eschews maintaining such data, prioritising unalloyed merit over mandated quotas.
Yet, the Centre’s resolve to diversify the bench is palpable. Since 2018, it has repeatedly urged Chief Justices to nominate apt candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), minorities, and women. From 2018 till November 28, 2025, a robust 841 High Court judges were appointed – a mosaic reflecting 32 SC, 17 ST, 103 OBC, 46 minority, and 129 women jurists. Athawale highlighted the government’s post-2018 practice of soliciting social background details from recommenders, fostering a judiciary that mirrors India’s vibrant pluralism without compromising constitutional sanctity.
Opposition voices, including those probing quota lapses, found this elucidation timely, even as it reignites debates on balancing equity with excellence.
As the Lok Sabha echoes with calls for reform, the government’s stance – merit first, diversity encouraged – charts a delicate path towards a more representative robed fraternity.
With the judiciary’s independence intact, this clarification could well propel renewed dialogues on inclusive justice in the world’s largest democracy.