In a heartwarming gesture ahead of Karwa Chauth 2025, the Supreme Court of India has permitted its female employees to wear traditional and modest attire instead of the standard office uniform.
The directive was issued on Thursday following a formal request from the Court’s female staff, who sought permission to observe the festival while maintaining workplace decorum.
According to the official notification, “On the occasion of the Karwa Chauth festival, the Competent Authority has been pleased to accede to the request received on behalf of female employees of the Registry, and to permit them to attend office in traditional sober clothes on 10th October, 2025, in place of the prescribed uniform.”
The announcement reflects a rare personal touch from India’s highest court, recognizing the cultural and emotional significance of Karwa Chauth, a festival widely celebrated by married women across the country.
Observed primarily in North India, Karwa Chauth involves fasting from sunrise to moonrise, along with prayers for the well-being, prosperity, and long life of their husbands.Officials emphasized that while the relaxation in dress code is a gesture of goodwill, employees are expected to maintain the dignity and decorum of the institution.
The court specifically highlighted that the attire must be “traditional and sober,” ensuring it aligns with the solemn environment of the Supreme Court premises.This decision stands out as an example of how institutions can accommodate cultural observances without compromising professional standards.
It not only encourages inclusivity but also acknowledges the deeply ingrained cultural practices many employees wish to uphold while on duty.
Karwa Chauth holds a special place in Indian tradition, particularly among women in northern states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. It is marked by a day-long fast where married women abstain from food and water until sighting the moon in the evening.
The ritual is often accompanied by prayers, festive dressing, and community gatherings.By allowing the use of traditional attire, the Supreme Court has demonstrated sensitivity toward cultural sentiment, setting an example for other institutions to adopt a similar balance between modern workplace policies and traditional values.
In a separate but related development, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh recently dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought to make Karwa Chauth compulsory for all women, including widows, divorcees, and those in live-in relationships.
The apex court sharply criticized the plea, labeling it “frivolous” and “motivated.” “These are funded by actors who don’t come forward,” Justice Kant remarked during the hearing, underlining the misuse of judicial resources for irrelevant matters. The court upheld the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s earlier decision to reject the petition, reiterating that personal religious practices cannot be enforced through judicial intervention.
The Supreme Court’s decision to accommodate traditional attire, though small, resonates as a symbolic acknowledgment of India’s rich cultural tapestry within an otherwise formal judicial environment. It underscores the balance between faith and work life, showing that respect for tradition can indeed coexist with modern professionalism.
As Karwa Chauth is celebrated today, female staff at the Supreme Court will not only mark the festival through fasting and rituals but also thanks to this thoughtful move through their attire that beautifully blends tradition with dignity.
