Judicial Diversity and Regional Benches: A Critical Analysis

P. Wilson’s Bill: A private member Bill seeks constitutional amendments for diversity in judicial appointments and establishing regional Supreme Court benches.
Constitutional Provisions: Articles 124 & 217 outline the President’s power to appoint judges after consulting the CJI and relevant authorities. Article 130 designates Delhi as the Supreme Court’s seat.
Evolution of Appointment System: Shift from executive appointments (pre-1980s) to the Collegium System (1993, reaffirmed in 1998) to ensure judicial independence.
National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC): The 99th Constitutional Amendment (2014) establishing the NJAC was struck down in 2015 for violating the basic structure of judicial independence.
Diversity Concerns: Between 2018-2024, only ~20% of appointed judges belonged to SC/ST/OBC, with women & minorities representing <15% & <5% respectively.
Bill’s Mandate: The Bill proposes proportional representation for SC/ST/OBC, minorities, and women in judicial appointments. It also sets a 90-day timeline for government notification of Collegium recommendations.
Regional Benches: Proposed regional benches in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai to improve access to justice and reduce the pending caseload (~90,000 cases as of Jan 2026).
Reforms Suggested: Reviving the NJAC with broader representation (legislature, bar council, academia) or ensuring diversity through the existing Collegium process.
Regional Benches Feasibility: Regional benches can be established under existing constitutional provisions, potentially starting with one region.

Loading...