In a remarkable achievement, Neha Dewan (Karkra), a practicing advocate at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, has scripted history by becoming the only lady lawyer to be selected in both Punjab and Haryana Higher Judicial Service examinations, 2025, clearing the prestigious higher judiciary exams in her very first attempt.
Hailing from Narwana, a small town in Haryana’s Jind District, Dewan (Karkra)’s success stands as a testament to perseverance, academic excellence, and professional dedication. Though she had appeared in judicial service examinations earlier, this was her first attempt at the Higher Judicial Service, making her dual selection all the more noteworthy.
Neha Dewan (Karkra) began her legal career during 2018–19 at the Patiala Bar, where she received early professional guidance and mentorship from her father-in-law, Satish Karkra, a well-known and respected senior advocate of Patiala. Since 2019, she has been practicing at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, along with her husband Mayur Karkra.
Apart from active legal practice, Dewan (Karkra) is also deeply involved in academics. She serves as a Guest Faculty Lecturer at UILS department, Panjab University, Chandigarh and is known among students and peers as a committed academician who balances courtroom advocacy with legal education.
Speaking on her success, Neha Dewan (Karkra) attributed her achievement to the unwavering support of her family. She paid tribute to her late mother, and expressed gratitude to her parents, her young son Yuv Pratap, and her husband Mayur Karkra for their constant encouragement and emotional support throughout her demanding preparation and professional journey.
Members of the legal fraternity across Patiala and Chandigarh have lauded her accomplishment, describing it as an inspiration for women advocates aspiring to enter the higher judiciary. Dewan (Karkra)’s journey—from a small-town background to simultaneous selection in two states’ higher judicial services—stands out as a powerful example of determination, discipline, and excellence in the legal profession.
