The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) is pleased to announce the establishment of the Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession dedicated to promoting equity, inclusion and justice within the legal profession in India. The new research centre will enhance our understanding of the legal profession in India through rigorous empirical research, sustained – policy engagement, and interdisciplinary scholarship. By examining the profession’s structures, norms, and practices, the Centre will contribute to informed debates and reforms that strengthen the legal profession and its role in advancing justice and social development. 

The Centre will commence its research activities from the academic year 2026-27 with the launch of the Women’s Inclusion and Leadership in Law (WILL) Initiative – a five-year effort to advance a more gender-inclusive litigation practice in India. The University will support early-career women litigators from diverse socio-economic backgrounds in entering, sustaining, and advancing to leadership positions within litigation practice.

Though women formally entered the profession in the country through the Legal Practitioners (Women) Act, 1923, even a century later the profession still lacks adequate representation of women at all levels. While women constitute nearly 32% of law graduates annually in India, they make up only 15% of the 1.8 million enrolled advocates. An even smaller fraction—just 3.4%—have been designated as Senior Advocates. Women occupy only 13.4% of High Court judgeships, 1 seat in the Supreme Court, and none in the Bar Council of India. Across state bar councils, women hold only 2% of elected positions. The sharp decline in women’s representation from the point of entry into the profession to positions of leadership is shaped by systemic, institutional, and cultural barriers that converge most severely during the early years of litigation practice.

We may address these challenges if women litigators have gender-responsive workplace policies, meaningful professional development opportunities, and strong collective platforms to advocate for change using robust evidence. Any progress along these dimensions, would better position women to enter, remain, and thrive in litigation practice—ultimately contributing to the transformation of the profession itself. The University team will expand evidence-based research, strengthen policy reform and support professional development pathways that promote fairer work conditions and support women’s litigation and leadership capacities through greater solidarity, mentorship and collective action.

Dr. Ashrita Prasad Kotha, Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Centre, observed that: 

“As a first-generation practitioner turned academician, I have closely witnessed how the legal profession informs access and justice. The need for a systematic study of the legal profession deeply resonates with me. As I take on this role, I look forward to collaborating with various stakeholders including fellow lawyers, researchers and institutional partners to drive evidence-based policy reform and to create long-term impact that is meaningful and inclusive.” 

Dr. Kotha further noted that:     

“This initiative is central to the University’s ongoing commitment to making the Indian legal profession more representative and responsive to gender justice. Through focused interventions and strategic partnerships, the initiative will address persistent barriers hindering women’s equitable growth in the profession, particularly during the formative years of practice, and create pathways for long-term leadership and institutional change.” 

Prof. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice Chancellor of NLSIU thanked the faculty and staff team who worked for over a year to design and secure support for the Centre. He observed that:

“The establishment of a dedicated research centre on the legal profession allows the University to deliver on its founding vision to transform the Indian legal profession into a professionally competent and socially inclusive community that sustains the rule of law and contributes to national development. We hope that the Centre will support and galvanize young women lawyers who will reshape the future of the legal profession and the Indian legal system.”     

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For more information on the research centre and the project, please visit https://www.nls.ac.in/projects/womens-inclusion-and-leadership-in-law-will-initiative/