Bar Council issues mandatory 30% reservation rule for women in Bar Elections
Harish Monga
Ferozepur, July 16, 2026: The Punjab and Haryana Bar Council has made it mandatory for all Bar Associations across the two states to reserve 30 percent of elected posts for women advocates in compliance with the Supreme Court's directions dated April 16, 2026.
The elections to the Bar Association are scheduled for 11 Sept 2026 after completing all formalities.
Issuing strict instructions to all Bar Associations, the Bar Council clarified that no changes in the election schedule announced on June 11, postponement of elections, or extension of the election timeline will be permitted. Any deliberate deviation from the notified election programme will invite strict action, including the appointment of an Ad-hoc Committee to conduct the elections.
In a circular issued by the Additional Secretary of the Bar Council, all Bar Associations have been directed to comply with the Bar Association (Constitution and Registration) Rules, 2015, the principle of "One Vote-One Bar," and all other election guidelines issued by the Council.
The directive is likely to pose a significant challenge for the Ferozepur District Bar Association. According to available records, the Association has around 1,000 advocates on its rolls, but fewer than 150 are women advocates. Despite their limited strength, women advocates will now be entitled to occupy 30 percent of the elected posts in the Bar Association, in accordance with the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council's mandatory reservation policy and the Supreme Court's directions.
To ensure 30 percent representation of women advocates, Bar Associations have been instructed to create an additional post of Woman Vice-President wherever necessary. At least one post of Joint Secretary or Librarian must also be reserved for a woman advocate. The Council has further directed that women should constitute at least 30 percent of the Executive Committee.
The Bar Council warned that elections conducted without implementing these mandatory provisions would be treated as violations of the election rules and could attract legal action. If required, the entire election process of the concerned Bar Association may be handed over to an Ad-hoc Committee, which will conduct the elections as per the prescribed schedule.
The directive is aimed at ensuring greater participation and representation of women advocates in the functioning and leadership of Bar Associations across Punjab and Haryana.