BCI Mandates 30% Women’s Reservation in State Bar Council Elections

Ranchi: In a landmark step to enhance women’s representation in professional legal bodies, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has directed all state bar councils to reserve 30 percent of seats for women. The directive, issued through letter number 9365/2025, is in line with recent Supreme Court guidelines and will be implemented with immediate effect across the country, including in Jharkhand.

According to the new guidelines, the 30 percent reservation for women will be implemented in two parts. Twenty percent of the seats will be filled through the election of women candidates, while the remaining 10 percent will be filled through nomination. The BCI has further clarified that if the required number of women candidates are not elected, the remaining reserved seats will be filled through co-option to ensure the mandatory quota is met.

As per the formula, a 25-member bar council will have seven seats reserved for women, a 20-member council will have six such seats, and a 15-member council will have four seats earmarked for women. The upcoming Jharkhand State Bar Council elections, scheduled for next year, will be conducted under these revised norms, offering greater opportunities to women lawyers in the state.

The secretary in charge of the Jharkhand State Bar Council has circulated the BCI directive to all members, and future election notifications will be issued in accordance with the new rules. Women advocates have welcomed the decision, stating that it will strengthen their participation in decision-making and promote inclusivity within the legal system.