Karnataka has just 8.9% women in police force, far behind Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu: Study
Bengaluru: Karnataka has only 8.91% women in its police force, significantly lower than the national average of 12.73%, and is trailing far behind states like Bihar (23.66%), Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, according to a study by the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru.
The findings, reported by The Hindu on Saturday, reveal a stark gender gap in the state’s policing system, despite a 25% reservation for women in the force. The NLSIU project study, which surveyed 202 police stations across eight districts, found that nearly two-thirds of these stations had no woman officers in key investigative ranks such as Sub-Inspector (SI), Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), or Police Inspector (PI). Only three stations — two in Mysuru and one in Davangere — had a woman PI, two of which were designated women’s police stations. Additionally, 130 of the 202 stations had no woman SI at all.
Karnataka’s journey toward gender representation has been marked by uneven progress. In 2007, women constituted 5.44% of the police force. This figure rose modestly to over 6% by 2016, but dipped again to 5% in 2017 — the same year the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) flagged the gender shortfall. In response, the state introduced a 20% quota for women, later increased to 25% in 2020. Despite this, the representation has barely crossed 8% as of 2021, and stands at just 8.91% in 2023.
According to the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission (KARC), at the current pace of recruitment and promotion, it will take over 25 years for the state to meet its own target, added The Hindu.
In contrast, states such as Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have demonstrated consistent progress, with women's representation in their police forces now exceeding 20%. Karnataka, however, has continued to fall short of the national average since 2012, widening the gap each year.
The study also highlighted that women police personnel, despite contributing significantly to routine police duties, are often excluded from core responsibilities such as investigations, including those involving sexual assault. Instead, they are used for token appearances, such as accompanying survivors or being present during statements.
Devyani Srivastava, Senior Manager (Research) and project lead at NLSIU, mentioned that achieving gender parity is not merely a constitutional requirement, but also an operational imperative. “A police institution with diverse skill sets and lived experiences is better equipped to respond to safety challenges of today. While increasing the share of policewomen is a crucial first step, ensuring gender-responsive policies, facilities, training and infrastructure, at all levels, must go hand in hand for meaningful outcomes,” The Hindu quoted her as saying.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
