Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said on Sunday the judiciary's ability to remain relevant as an institution requires it to recognise challenges and begin "difficult conversations". He flagged issues like "adjournment culture" and long vacations. He also stressed on increasing the representation of marginalised sections and providing a level playing field to first-generation lawyers.

The CJI also highlighted the demographic changes undergoing in India and said that women, traditionally under-represented in the legal profession, now constitute 36.3 per cent of the working strength of the district judiciary.

CJI Chandrachud called for the inclusion of diverse sections of the population into the legal profession, noting the representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes "is quite low both at the Bar as well as on the Bench".

Terming it as a "momentous occasion" in the history of the nation, CJI Chandrachud said that women can now be seen in important positions in India.

"There is a focus on greater inclusion of the marginalised sections of society. Equally inspiring is the confidence of the younger population to succeed in their professional lives," he said.

The Supreme Court of India came into existence on January 28, 1950. It initially functioned from the Parliament House before it moved to the present building here.

CJI Chandrachud said, "Traditionally, the legal profession was a profession of elite men. Times have changed. Women, traditionally under-represented in the profession, now constitute 36.3 per cent of the working strength of the district judiciary."