Women in Indian Law

Cornelia Sorabji was the first woman to serve as a judge in India. She was appointed as a Munsiff in 1899 and served until 1902.

Cornelia Sorabji was the first Indian woman to practice law in India. She was admitted to the Bombay High Court in 1894.

Sarojini Naidu was the first woman to be elected to the Constituent Assembly of India. She was also the first woman to hold the position of Governor of a state in India.

Fathima Beevi was the first Indian woman to be appointed as a Supreme Court judge. She was appointed in 1989 and served until 1992.

Leila Seth was the first woman to be appointed as the Chief Justice of a High Court in India. She was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 1991.

Indu Malhotra was the first Indian woman to be appointed as the Attorney General of India. She was appointed in 2017 and served until 2020.

Soli Sorabjee was the first woman to be appointed as the Solicitor General of India. She was appointed in 1989 and served until 1990.

Jayanti Patnaik was the first Indian woman to be appointed as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women. She was appointed in 1992 and served until 1995.

Justice Leila Seth was the first woman to be appointed as the Chairperson of the Law Commission of India. She was appointed in 2000 and served until 2002.

Justice Leila Seth was the first Indian woman to be appointed as the Chairperson of the Bar Council of India. She was appointed in 2004 and served until 2006.

Justice Leila Seth was the first Indian woman to be appointed as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association. She was appointed in 1978 and served until 1980.

Justice Sujata V. Manohar was the first Indian woman to be appointed as the Vice-President of the Supreme Court Bar Association. She was appointed in 2002 and served until 2004.

Justice Ruma Pal was the first Indian woman to be appointed as the Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association. She was appointed in 2006 and served until 2008.

Justice Indu Malhotra was the first Indian woman to be appointed as the Treasurer of the Supreme Court Bar Association. She was appointed in 2010 and served until 2012.

Justice Leila Seth was the first Indian woman to be appointed as the Librarian of the Supreme Court of India. She was appointed in 1980 and served until 1982.