In an unprecedented decision, the Supreme Court of India has allowed its female Registry employees to wear ethnic clothing on Karwa Chauth, which falls on Friday, 10 October.
The top court issued a circular on Thursday about the decision to accommodate the request of women staff members. “On the occasion of Karwa Chauth, the Competent Authority has approved the request made on behalf of female employees of the Registry. They are permitted to attend office in traditional sober clothes on 10th October, 2025, in place of the prescribed uniform,” the circular stated.
Supreme Court permits women officials of the Registry to wear traditional sober clothes tomorrow on the occassion of Karwa Chauth festival.#KarwaChauth #SupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/y7AIy8WCda
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) October 9, 2025
Karwa Chauth is celebrated by married Hindu women throughout India, many of whom observe a strict fast, which means no food or water for the entire day. The festival is intended for prayer representing the health and longevity of their husbands. The observation merges devotion with cultural practices around the festival with immersive celebrations, giving it a unique identity, with prayers being performed at moonrise by women ending their fast. The festival itself also lends to women dressing in traditional festive garments.
The Supreme Court’s approach of allowing a deviation from the court’s uniform dress code is meant to be respectful of the cultural and religious significance the holiday represents towards female members of the workforce. This is being regarded as being cognizant of tradition within the formal and institutional context of a celebrated and continuing practice within the country’s highest court.
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