Author: Minal Maheshwari

Abstract 
Despite increasing participation of women in legal education, their advancement into senior positions within India’s judiciary remains limited. This study presents a quantitative analysis of gender disparity in Senior Advocate designations by the Supreme Court of India from 1966 to 2025, based on a dataset of 656 advocates compiled from official records.
Using Power BI for visual analytics, the research employs longitudinal trend analysis and gender ratio comparisons to assess designation patterns across decades. Key judicial reforms—especially the Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India (2017) judgment—are examined for their influence on the institutional process. Recent diversity-promoting
initiatives by Hon’ble Chief Justice Dr. D. Y. Chandrachud are also considered in evaluating shifts in women’s representation.
Additionally, the study explores women’s leadership within the Supreme Court and High Court Bar Associations (2010–2024), highlighting persistent underrepresentation despite policy interventions such as seat reservations.
The findings underscore both long-standing gender inequities and emerging progress in legal recognition. This research contributes to empirical legal studies in India and calls for mandatory gender audits, transparent evaluation criteria, and sustained institutional reforms to embed gender equity within judicial and bar governance structures.

Published in: February 2026 (Volume-8, Number-1)

Keyword: Gender Audit | Gender Disparity | Underrepresentation Women’s representation

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