GS Paper II — Q2
Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and…
Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
विविधता, समता और समावेशिता सुनिश्चित करने के लिए उच्चतर न्यायपालिका में महिलाओं के प्रतिनिधित्व को बढ़ाने की वांछनीयता पर चर्चा कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)
Model answer
Drafted with AI by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key. How we build rubrics and answers.
Women are nearly half of law graduates but about 14% of sitting High Court judges and about 4% of all judges in the Supreme Court's history; Justice B.V. Nagarathna is in line to become the first woman Chief Justice, in 2027.
Why it is desirable Diversity brings lived experience to cases on gender-based violence, matrimonial disputes and workplace harassment, and makes the institution that guards Articles 14, 15 and 39A more equitable and inclusive. The merit objection fails because underrepresentation reflects exclusionary barriers, not a competence deficit.
Barriers and reform An opaque collegium process, unstated elevation criteria and few women in senior practice narrow the pipeline. Remedies include published selection criteria, mentoring for women advocates and judges, and wider regional representation; a proposed All-India Judicial Service could widen entry.
How this answer will be evaluated
Framework: GS2 Paper 2: Judiciary & Constitutional Morality
What earns full marks: Analytical, cites specific judgment/committee, balanced close
Evaluation rubric
Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.
- The answer Discuss why greater representation of women in the higher judiciary is desirable for diversity, equity and inclusiveness. 10 marks · 150 words
discuss— intro → 3-4 dimensions → example → balanced close
Must cover
- Link representation to constitutional morality (Art 14/15)
- Explain 'Diversity' as varied judicial perspective
- Explain 'Equity' as fair access to justice
- Suggest a realistic reform
Loses marks
- Reciting Articles without applying to judiciary
- Activist tone or emotional language
- Ending without any reform suggestion
Earns more
- Mention specific landmark judgment on gender justice
- Reference 2nd ARC or Law Commission recommendation
- Cite specific data on current women judges
- Discuss the 'pipeline' issue in legal profession
Extra mark
- Cite specific Supreme Court judgment on gender bias
- Mention specific Law Commission report number
What "Discuss" is asking you to do
Lay the issue out from more than one side — how it arose, what is claimed for it, what is held against it, and where it now stands. UPSC attaches discuss to broad topics with several live dimensions, so coverage of the dimensions earns more than the strength of your opinion.
Structure that answers it
Set the issue up → the case as it is made → the case against → the dimension both sides leave out → where the balance now lies
Where marks are lost
Listing facts with no thread between them, or arguing one side throughout and calling it a discussion.
Practice this exact question
Write your answer and it is marked point by point against the model answer above — what you covered, what you missed, what you got wrong.
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