Published: 18 February 2026Governance
Constitution Amendment Bill 2026 Introduced in Rajya Sabha to Mandate Social Diversity in Higher Judiciary and Establish SC Regional Benches
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Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 on Friday before 7 February 2026 to mandate social diversity in higher judiciary appointments and establish Supreme Court regional benches in Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Data cited: 499 of 661 HC judges appointed since 2018 were from the General category till 22 July 2024, 14% women judges, 90,000+ SC pending cases, about 27.5% HC vacancy rate as of February 2026.
On Friday before 7 February 2026, Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2026 as a private member's Bill, proposing two landmark reforms to India's higher judiciary: mandating social diversity in judicial appointments to High Courts and the Supreme Court, and establishing regional benches of the Supreme Court in Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata in addition to the principal bench in New Delhi.
The Bill was introduced against a backdrop of stark statistics: 499 of 661 High Court judges appointed since 2018 were from the General category till 22 July 2024; only 14% of High Court judges are women; religious minorities comprise less than 5% of higher judiciary appointments; and there is currently only one woman judge in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had over 90,000 pending cases as of January 2026, with High Courts showing about 27.5% vacancies as of February 2026.
The Bill proposes transparency reforms in the collegium system, mentorship programmes for marginalized lawyers, and UNSC-style regional representation in judicial appointments. Establishing regional benches would reduce the financial and logistical burden on litigants from states like Rajasthan, who currently must travel to New Delhi for Supreme Court hearings — a significant access-to-justice concern. The Bill underscores ongoing debates on judicial accountability, collegium reform, and the constitutional right to equality under Articles 14 and 16.
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A Constitution Amendment Bill requires what majority for passage in each house?
Explanation · Correct answer BA Constitution Amendment Bill requires special majority under Article 368 - majority of total membership and two-thirds of members present and voting.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 introduced in Rajya Sabha propose?
Introduced by Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson on February 19, 2026, the bill proposes mandating social diversity in higher judiciary appointments and establishing Supreme Court regional benches in Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata to improve access to justice.
What data on judicial diversity was cited in support of the Constitution Amendment Bill 2026?
The bill cited that 78% of High Court judges appointed between 2018–24 were from upper castes, only 14% were women, over 90,000 cases were pending in the Supreme Court, and the High Court vacancy rate stood at 33%.
Which constitutional articles govern the appointment of Supreme Court and High Court judges?
Article 124 of the Constitution governs the appointment and conditions of service of Supreme Court judges, while Article 217 governs the appointment and conditions of service of High Court judges.
Which groups does the Constitution Amendment Bill 2026 aim to ensure representation for in the higher judiciary?
The bill aims to ensure representation of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), religious minorities, and women in the appointment of High Court and Supreme Court judges.
Why is establishing Supreme Court regional benches significant for access to justice?
Establishing regional benches of the Supreme Court in cities like Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata would reduce the geographic burden on litigants from southern, western, and eastern India who must currently travel to New Delhi, thereby improving access to justice for ordinary citizens.
