Women judges in India have reached an unprecedented milestone: for the first time ever, four women are simultaneously serving as permanent High Court Chief Justices across the country.
The milestone was triggered on June 5, 2026, when Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai assumed charge as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court — the 48th person to hold that position — according to SCC Online.
Background: Women Judges as Chief Justice in India
The journey of women judges reaching the top of India’s High Courts has been long and slow. The first woman Chief Justice of an Indian High Court was Justice Leila Seth, who assumed office at the Himachal Pradesh High Court on August 5, 1991.
As of January 10, 2026, only 19 women had ever served as Chief Justice across 14 High Courts in India’s entire judicial history, as reported by India Legal Live.
- In 2018, India came close to this milestone when four women held top High Court positions — but one was serving only in an acting capacity, not as a permanent Chief Justice. The current achievement is distinct because all four positions are permanent and full-time, according to Kerala Kaumudi.
- Previously, the maximum number of simultaneous permanent women Chief Justices at any one time was three, per LiveLaw.
- As of February 6, 2026, data placed by the Union Government before Parliament showed only 116 women judges out of a total working strength of 781 judges across all High Courts — approximately 14.85% — as reported by Law Notify.
The Appointment That Made History
The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, recommended Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai’s appointment as Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on May 22, 2026, as reported by Bar & Bench.
President Droupadi Murmu formally approved the appointment under Article 217(1) of the Constitution of India on June 2, 2026, per SCC Online. Justice Rai succeeded Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, who retired from the Patna High Court on June 4, 2026.
Justice Rai was elevated from the Sikkim High Court and holds a place in history as the first woman from Sikkim to be appointed as a High Court judge — a distinction she earned when she was first elevated to that bench on April 15, 2015, according to India Legal Live.
The four High Courts now headed by women judges are as follows.
- Gujarat High Court — Justice Sunita Agarwal, serving as Chief Justice since July 23, 2023, elevated from the Allahabad High Court.
- Meghalaya High Court — Justice Revati Mohite Dere, formerly of the Bombay High Court, who assumed office on January 10, 2026.
- Andhra Pradesh High Court — Justice Lisa Gill, elevated from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, who took oath on April 25, 2026.
- Patna High Court — Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai, elevated from the Sikkim High Court, effective June 5, 2026.
What It Means for You
This milestone signals a slow but meaningful shift in the gender composition of India’s higher judiciary. Four High Courts — Gujarat, Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, and Patna — are now led by women judges on a permanent, full-time basis.
Yet the picture at the Supreme Court level remains stark. As of June 2026, only two women sit on the Supreme Court — Justices B.V. Nagarathna and V. Mohana — out of a total bench strength of 38. No woman has been appointed to the Supreme Court since September 2021, according to LiveLaw. Justice B.V. Nagarathna is set to become the first woman Chief Justice of India, but for a brief 36-day tenure in September 2027.
The 14.85% representation of women judges across High Courts underscores that the systemic gap remains wide, even as today’s four-Chief-Justice landmark deserves recognition as a genuine first.
Read more at The Courtroom.
Who are the four women serving as permanent High Court Chief Justices in India as of June 2026?
The four women judges are: Justice Sunita Agarwal (Gujarat High Court, since July 23, 2023), Justice Revati Mohite Dere (Meghalaya High Court, since January 10, 2026), Justice Lisa Gill (Andhra Pradesh High Court, since April 25, 2026), and Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai (Patna High Court, effective June 5, 2026).
Who recommended and approved Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai’s appointment as Chief Justice of Patna High Court?
The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, recommended the appointment on May 22, 2026. President Droupadi Murmu approved the appointment under Article 217(1) of the Constitution on June 2, 2026, per SCC Online and Bar & Bench.
What percentage of High Court judges in India are women?
As of February 6, 2026, data placed before Parliament by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice showed 116 women judges out of a working strength of 781 High Court judges — approximately 14.85% — according to Law Notify and LiveLaw.
Final Thoughts on Women Judges & Chief Justice Representation
Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai’s appointment as the 48th Chief Justice of Patna High Court on June 5, 2026 created a historic first: four women judges simultaneously serving as permanent Chief Justices of Indian High Courts — a distinction from a near-similar 2018 situation where one position was only acting, per LiveLaw.
While the milestone is historic, sustained progress requires closing the 85% gender gap that still defines India’s higher judiciary.
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Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws may change or vary by case — consult a qualified lawyer before acting. The Courtroom is not liable for any reliance on this content.
