Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Delhi High Court Asks Government to Decide on Women’s Quota
A doctor asked the court for more women to be represented in Delhi’s medical organizations.
She requested that at least half of the Delhi Medical Council’s members be women.
The court said the law that created the council does not currently include a women’s quota.
Because of that, the judges did not order the quota themselves.
Instead, they told the Delhi government to consider the request and decide quickly.
The doctor also asked for women’s representation in the Delhi Medical Association.
Her petition said women doctors have too little say in decisions about their profession.
The Delhi High Court directed the Delhi government to consider a request for at least 50% women’s reservation in the Delhi Medical Council.
The order was passed on September 30 by Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.
The court said the Delhi Medical Council Act, 1997, provides no women’s reservation in elections or nominations, so it could not order a quota.
The court directed the government and relevant officials to make an appropriate decision with expedition.
The petition also sought women’s reservation in the Delhi Medical Association and argued women are underrepresented in medical regulatory bodies.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, the Delhi government, and petitioner Dr Anju Gambhir.
- What
- The court directed the government to consider a request for at least 50% women’s reservation in the Delhi Medical Council.
- When
- The order was passed on September 30; the year is not stated.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- Why
- Dr Anju Gambhir sought more equitable representation of women practitioners in medical bodies, arguing their voices are underrepresented in decision-making.
Petitioner’s position
Court’s position
Women’s representation
Petitioner’s position
Dr Anju Gambhir argued women practitioners lack meaningful representation in the Delhi Medical Council and related bodies, limiting their voice in important decisions.
Court’s position
The court did not decide that a quota should be introduced; it directed the government to consider the request and make a decision with expedition.
Authority to order a quota
Petitioner’s position
The petition sought at least 50% women’s reservation in the Delhi Medical Council and also sought reservation in the Delhi Medical Association.
Court’s position
The court said the Delhi Medical Council Act, 1997, contains no provision for women’s reservation in elections or nominations, so it could not direct the authorities to provide the quota.
- Requested quota
- At least 50% women’s reservation in the Delhi Medical Council
- Court
- Delhi High Court
- Bench
- Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
- Order date
- September 30; year not specified
- Relevant law
- Delhi Medical Council Act, 1997
- Petitioner
- Dr Anju Gambhir
- Other body mentioned
- Delhi Medical Association