GK: Who Is India's First Female High Court Judge?

Anna Chandy made history on February 9, 1959, by becoming the first Indian woman to serve as a judge at a high court. Sworn in as a judge of the High Court of Kerala, Chandy held office for over eight

years until April 5, 1967.

Born in 1905 in the then Kingdom of Travancore, now Kerala, Chandy was raised in a Syrian Christian family in Thiruvananthapuram. After completing her post-graduation from the Government Law College in the district in 1926, she became the first woman in the state to hold a degree in law.

In 1929, she began practicing as a barrister, specialising in criminal law. Her work as a criminal lawyer earned her widespread acclaim.

Determined to improve society for women, Chandy fought for women’s right to work. She publicly challenged her contemporaries, including well-known intellectuals like TK Vellu Pillai, demanding quotas for women in government jobs.

In 1930, Chandy founded and edited the Malayalam magazine Shreemati, which served as a platform to voice women’s rights. Through her publication, Chandy would question discriminatory norms affecting women.

Her magazine often featured social issues such as widow remarriage. Chandy also highlighted the significant wage discrimination women faced when working on farms.

In 1930, Chandy entered the male-dominated world of politics by standing for the representative body of the Travancore state. Her political venture provoked the ire of the Nair newspaper Malayala Rajyam, although she was supported by the Nasrani Deepika, a Malayalam newspaper.

Chandy did not secure a seat when she contested the elections in 1931. However, she contested again the following year and secured a position for two years.

After retiring as Kerala High Court judge in April 1967, Chandy served on the Law Commission of India. Her biography, serialised by Malayala Manorama and subsequently published in Thrissur by Carmel Books in 1973, was titled Atmakatha.

She passed away on July 20, 1996.