Context

In a first, the Madras High Court has appointed a woman mace bearer. Justice R.N Manjula is the first to utilise the services of the court's first woman mace bearer.

About

Mace Bearer:

• The Mace bearer/ Chobdar, a position traditionally held by men, is an officer who carries the mace and walks before a dignitary signifying the dignitary's power.
• In courts, the mace helps in the free passage of Judges between the court halls.
• The mace carries significance in the history of the High Court since its presence outside a judge’s chamber indicates his/presence inside the chambers and its absence indicates otherwise. 
• Appointment:
  • The Mace Bearer/ Chobdars are appointed through direct recruitment by the High Court.
  • The Madras High Court, in 2021 had called for applications for filling up 40 vacancies in the post of Chobdars among others.
  • The candidates are offered Pay Level- I in the band of rupees 15,700-50000.
  • The appointment is done after a common written test, a practical test and an oral test.
• Uniform: While male Chobdars were expected to wear a white shirt and pant with a turban-like red cap that displays the national emblem and a band around their waist, the uniform of the woman chobdar consists of a white salwar kameez with a dupatta, though the cap and the waist band remains the same.