Supreme Court Urges Bar Council of India to Consider Reservation for Advocates with Disabilities in Elections
SC directs Bar Council of India to examine proposal for reservation of seats for advocates with disabilities in Bar Council elections
The Supreme Court has directed the Bar Council of India (BCI) to examine the issue of providing reservation for advocates with disabilities in Bar Councils and Bar Associations, observing that the matter involves important questions of policy and equality under the Constitution.
The Bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a writ petition filed by a practicing advocate who regularly takes up causes related to the rights of persons with disabilities.
The petitioner sought directions to the Bar Council of India and the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh to reserve certain positions in their governing bodies for advocates with disabilities.
It was brought to the Court’s attention that the election for the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh had already been notified, though the process of filing nominations was yet to begin.
At the outset, the Court observed that it would be difficult at this stage to interfere with the ongoing electoral process or issue a positive mandamus directing reservation in the elections.
However, acknowledging the importance of inclusivity and representation in professional bodies, the bench noted that the issue deserved careful consideration within the framework of existing laws and constitutional principles.
“The reservation for persons with disability essentially being a policy matter, we dispose of this writ petition with a direction to the Bar Council of India to consider the cause espoused by the petitioner in light of the relevant legislative policies and statutes emanating from the constitutional principles of equality,” the Court stated in its order dated November 3.
The Bench further clarified that all stakeholders were free to take an appropriate decision on the issue, leaving the matter open for future consideration. It also granted liberty to the petitioner to approach the appropriate forum at a later stage if necessary.
All pending applications related to the case were also disposed of.
Case Title: Amit Kumar Yadav v. Bar Council of India & Anr.
Order Date: November 3, 2025
Bench: Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and Joymalya Bagchi