#JusticeMeenakshiMadanRai has been appointed as Chief Justice of the #PatnaHighCourt.
She comes from the Northeast, a region historically underrepresented in the higher judiciary and now takes charge of a large High Court with a sanctioned strength of 53 judges.
#CLPR
It is a moment of true celebration and pride that on 2nd June 2026, Hon’ble Justice V. Mohana took oath as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India!
She is only the second woman from the Bar directly elevated to the Supreme Court.
#CLPR#EqualJustice#VMohana#SupremeCourt
On 22nd May 2026, the Centre for Law and Policy Research convened a closed-door roundtable discussion with women lawyers from the Delhi High Court as part of our ongoing research initiative on gender inclusion in the higher judiciary - Equal Justice.
#EqualJustice
The discussion brought together advocates to reflect on the structural barriers women continue to face in the legal system. The event was a reminder that these conversations are essential to understanding how systemic inequality is reproduced within the legal profession.
📢 We’re hiring!
The Centre for Law and Policy Research (CLPR) is looking for a Program Manager.
This is a full-time, in-person position for those passionate about working on issues of equality and inclusion.
Apply here: CLPR.org.in/blog/call-for-pr…
On 11 May 2026, the CLPR team participated in a Statewide Consultation in Warangal, Telangana on the Transgender Amendment Act, 2026: Litigation Strategies & the Way Ahead.
#CLPR#LBTQ#TransBill
The event brought together more than 80 participants from 30 districts across Telangana to understand the impact of the Amendment and how evidence may be gathered to challenge it.
#TransLaw#GenderEquality#LGBTQ#IndianLaw#CLPR
Senior Advocate Jayna Kothari spoke to the gathering about the Amendment. Constitution Defender Fellow Kanmani R discussed how testimony can be used in law and Research Fellow Mihir R supported discussion groups and the survey form circulated during the meeting.
#CLPR#TransLaw
On 17 April 2026, CLPR convened a stakeholder consultation at the Bangalore International Centre to inform a Public Digital Database on Women in the Higher Judiciary in India, bringing together judges, lawyers, academics, activists, and data experts.
#CLPR#EqualJustice
Justice Dr. Ashok B. Hinchigeri (Retd), Justice K.S. Mudagal (Retd), and others engaged with the project’s scope. Sr. Adv. Jayna Kothari presented the proposed database framework and visualisations mapping representation across courts and constitutional offices.
Discussions focused on strengthening the dashboard through methodological clarity, best practices, and ways to capture both quantitative trends and lived experiences, highlighting structural barriers shaping women’s representation in the judiciary.
#CLPR#EqualJustice
Across three decades, the story of women’s elevation as Chief Justices in High Courts is one of both absence and emergence.
Let us take a moment to understand these patterns so we may ask what it takes to make growth consistent.
#EqualJustice#GenderEquality#Judiciary
ALT A line graph titled “Number of Women Judges Elevated as Chief Justices in High Courts” shows yearly data from 1991 to 2026 on the vertical axis and the number of women elevated (ranging from 0 to 3) on the horizontal axis. Most years record zero or one elevation, with several long stretches at zero. Notable peaks appear in 2017 and 2023, where three women were elevated. The graph highlights fluctuations over time, with a slight increase in recent years.
ALT A horizontal bar chart titled “Number of Women Judges Elevated as Chief Justices in High Courts” displays yearly data from 1991 to 2026. Each year is represented by a bar indicating the number of women elevated, ranging from 0 to 3. Many years have no bar, indicating zero elevations—22 out of 36 years. A few years show one elevation, while 2017 and 2023 stand out with the longest bars, representing three elevations each. The chart emphasizes the frequency of zero-elevation years alongside occasional peaks.
This Ambedkar Jayanti, CLPR reaffirms its commitment to deepening equal access to justice and strengthening the constitutional promise of dignity, liberty and substantive equality for all.
#CLPR#AmbedkarJayanti#ConsitutionOfIndia#Equality#Justice
ALT A clean, minimal poster by the Centre for Law & Policy Research featuring a blue-toned illustrated portrait of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in a suit and round glasses, set against a subtle Ashoka Chakra background. The text reads “Celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti,” followed by a quote: “Constitution is not a mere lawyers document, it is a vehicle of Life, and its spirit is always the spirit of Age.” The CLPR logo appears at the top left.
On 26th March, our Kerala Constitution Defenders Fellows (2026-28) met CLPR Executive Director and Senior Advocate Jayna Kothari at the High Court of Kerala in Kochi, for an engaging exchange on legal practice, rights, and the evolving landscape of law.
Transgender Amendment Bill 2026: a rollback of constitutional rights.
Our blog examines removal of self-determination, a narrower definition, medicalised certification, and risks to support networks.
Read: clpr.org.in/blog/the-2026-tr…
On 20 March 2026, CLPR hosted a panel to discuss the book 'TransForming Rights: How the Law Shapes Transgender Lives, Identity and Community in India', edited by Jayna Kothari, Executive Director, CLPR, at the Bangalore International Centre.
The panel brought together activists, scholars, and contributors to reflect on the evolving landscape of transgender rights in India. Discussions examined future of trans rights, cross-solidarity and allyship, and the role of law and policy in securing rights for the community.