Now Reading: District judiciary SC-ST-OBC seats remain unfilled
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District judiciary SC-ST-OBC seats remain unfilled
A new report by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy’s JALDI Initiative reveals that many states are failing to fill reserved posts for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in the district judiciary. The study, based on Right to Information applications, found that only 16 states provided data on civil judge appointments between 2018 and 2024, and just 10 for district judge posts, indicating a severe lack of transparency.
The report notes that while the Ministry of Law and Justice stated SC/ST/OBC judges make up 45.76% of the district judiciary, this figure hides wide variations. Tamil Nadu leads with 97.65% representation, while Jharkhand has only 12.47%. Many states, including Delhi and Assam, exclude certain groups from reservation benefits. The report urges states to publish reservation rules and appointment data to ensure accountability in filling these seats.
Former Chief Justices DY Chandrachud and BR Gavai have called for greater social diversity in the judiciary. The district courts are often the first point of contact for citizens, making fair representation critical. The findings highlight gaps in the implementation of affirmative action policies under Article 233 of the Constitution.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The lack of transparency in district judiciary appointments undermines the constitutional goal of social justice. Article 233 allows states to frame reservation rules, but inconsistent implementation leaves many seats unfilled. The worst-hit states, like Jharkhand, often have weaker administrative mechanisms. With the India Justice Report 2025 flagging this issue, the next step should be the Law Ministry issuing a standard disclosure format for all states, similar to the one used for higher judiciary data. Without that, the 45.76% national figure will remain misleading.
Source: theprint.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
