Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Apr 8: The representation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Jammu and Kashmir’s judiciary remains disproportionately low, despite a gradual increase over the past five years.
According to data from the Union Law Ministry, the number of SC/ST Judicial Officers in the Union Territory’s district and subordinate courts rose from 40 in 2020 to 53 by April 2025—the highest recorded in this period.
As of December 31, 2020, Jammu and Kashmir had a total of 40 Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) judicial officers in its district and subordinate judiciary.
This included 9 SC and 6 ST Judges at the Civil Judge (Junior Division) level, 10 SC and 4 ST Judges at the Civil Judge (Senior Division) level, and 5 SC and 6 ST Judges serving as District Judges. These numbers reflected limited but notable representation of SCs and STs within the Union Territory’s judicial framework during that period.
As of December 31, 2021, the number remained at 40 SC/ST judicial officers. Among them were 7 SC and 9 ST Judges at the Civil Judge (Junior Division) level, 5 SC and 6 ST Judges at the Civil Judge (Senior Division) level, and 8 SC and 5 ST Judges at the District Judge level.
The figures showed a slight shift in distribution while maintaining a modest presence of SC/ST officers. As of December 31, 2022, Jammu and Kashmir had 39 SC/ST judicial officers across its district and subordinate courts. This included 9 SC and 8 ST Judges at the Civil Judge (Junior Division) level, 6 SC and 6 ST Judges at the Civil Judge (Senior Division) level, and 7 SC and 3 ST Judges serving as District Judges. The numbers reflected minor changes compared to previous years.
By December 31, 2023, the working strength of SC/ST judicial officers slightly decreased to 38. This included 9 SC and 7 ST Judges at the Civil Judge (Junior Division) level, 6 SC and 6 ST Judges at the Civil Judge (Senior Division) level, and 5 SC and 3 ST Judges at the District Judge level. The overall representation saw a small dip but remained relatively stable.
As of December 31, 2024, the representation of SC/ST judicial officers in Jammu and Kashmir rose significantly to 54—the highest in the five-year span. The composition included 13 SC and 11 ST Judges at the Civil Judge (Junior Division) level, 6 SC and 7 ST Judges at the Civil Judge (Senior Division) level, and 9 SC and 8 ST Judges serving as District Judges.
By April 2025, the total strength slightly decreased to 53 SC/ST judicial officers. This figure comprised 13 SC and 11 ST Judges at the Civil Judge (Junior Division) level, 6 SC and 7 ST Judges at the Civil Judge (Senior Division) level, and 9 SC and 7 ST Judges at the District Judge level. Despite the marginal dip, the representation remained strong and consistent.
