Justice BV Nagarathna Takes Charge as SCLSC Chairperson

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Friday, 3 July 2026

Justice Bangalore Venkataramiah Nagarathna, a Supreme Court Judge, has been designated the Chairperson of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC), effective 29 June 2026. This marks a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s dedication to ensuring improved access to justice via provision of quality legal aid.

The nomination has been made by the Chief Justice of India under the powers bestowed upon him/her under Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987. In her capacity as the Chairperson of the Committee Justice Venkataramiah will lend strategic direction to the Committee in its endeavor to provide quality legal aid to litigants before the Supreme Court.

Justice Venkataramiah has replaced Justice JK Maheshwari following his retirement from the Supreme Court. As per convention, the third senior judge of the Supreme Court heads the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee. This is to ensure that the process to improve access to justice and equity in legal representation remains consistent.

Key Highlights:

• Justice BV Nagarathna assumes charge as SCLSC Chairperson from 29 June 2026
• SCLSC strengthens free legal aid and access to justice under new leadership
• Justice Venkataramiah succeeds Justice JK Maheshwari after his retirement

The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee which was set up under Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987, is responsible for providing free, efficient and effective legal services to deserving persons belonging to poor and socially backward classes of people on issues that fall within the purview of the Supreme Court of India.

The Chairperson of the Committee is a sitting Supreme Court Judge and the nine members of the Committee are nominated by the Chief Justice of India.

Justice Venkataramiah comes with rich experience in judicial matters and institutional leadership for her new post. She was appointed an Additional Judge in the Karnataka High Court on 18 February 2008, becoming a Permanent Judge on 17 February 2010.

During all her years in the High Court, Justice Venkataramiah has acted in various other capacities, including that of the President of Karnataka Judicial Academy and Bangalore Mediation Centre, Bengaluru, where she contributed immensely to judicial education and alternative dispute resolution.

Her appointment to the bench of the Supreme Court of India on 31 August 2021 was a landmark event for her that acknowledged her contribution to the Indian judicial system. She is expected to serve on the Supreme Court bench till her retirement, which is scheduled for 29 October 2027. Her tenure on the Supreme Court bench is likely to be instrumental in the development of jurisprudence and governing the institutions of the judiciary. She is in line to become the first female Chief Justice of India in 2027.

The legal career of Justice Venkataramiah was started in 1987 at KESVY & Co., Advocates. She became an independent practitioner of the law from July 1994 to 2008 when she was appointed to the Bench of the Karnataka High Court. It is during this period that she practiced laws in diverse fields ranging from administrative, constitutional, and commercial to family laws. Her professional qualifications have been enhanced by working for the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority and the High Court Legal Services Committee as well as Amicus Curiae in various legal cases.