Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, speaking at the Supreme Court’s Constitution Day event in New Delhi, presented a significant and timely proposal: the formulation of a uniform national judicial policy. He argued that such a framework has become essential for minimising unpredictable and avoidable divergence in decisions rendered by India’s constitutional courts. With 25 high courts and multiple benches of the Supreme Court, consistency in judicial reasoning is not only desirable but crucial for maintaining the integrity and stability of the country’s legal system.

Constitution Day, observed annually on November 26 to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1949, provided the fitting backdrop for the CJI’s call for coherence in judicial functioning. The event was attended by President Droupadi Murmu, senior Supreme Court judges including Justice Vikram Nath, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Attorney General R. Venkataramani, Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, and Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh.

In his address, CJI Kant emphasised that the judiciary must function like a coordinated orchestra, where every instrument contributes to a harmonious symphony rather than generating discordant and disjointed notes. According to him, India’s judicial system should aim for a unified rhythm — one expressed in multiple languages and jurisdictions but guided by a shared constitutional foundation. He described a uniform national judicial policy as a practical step toward achieving clarity, coherence, and predictability in the administration of justice.

The Chief Justice noted that while the Constitution provides the judiciary with the guiding principles needed to administer justice, the courts must interpret and apply these principles with sensitivity to evolving social, economic, and political contexts. Over the decades, he said, the judiciary has breathed life into the text of the Constitution, ensuring that its values continue to remain relevant and effective. This adaptability is essential for ensuring that justice does not remain an abstract ideal but becomes accessible and meaningful for all citizens.

A core theme of his speech was access to justice, which he described as both a constitutional promise and a moral foundation of the judicial system. Without true access to legal remedies, fundamental rights become merely decorative, and constitutional guarantees lose their real-world impact. CJI Kant identified predictability, affordability, and timeliness as the three central pillars supporting meaningful access to justice. When judicial outcomes are uncertain, delays become endemic, and legal processes grow increasingly expensive or inaccessible, the system fails those who need it most.

He drew attention to the gap between the constitutional vision of equal access to justice and the actual experiences of many citizens, particularly those from marginalised or disadvantaged communities. High costs, linguistic barriers, geographical distance from courts, and chronic delays continue to obstruct justice. These systemic issues reinforce and magnify existing social inequalities, he said, undermining the very purpose of the judiciary.

To bridge this gap, the CJI highlighted the need to strengthen judicial infrastructure, which he defined broadly. Infrastructure is not limited to physical structures such as court buildings; it also includes technological, administrative, and human systems that support efficient and effective delivery of justice. He argued that meaningful reform cannot succeed unless these foundational elements are fortified. Robust judicial infrastructure forms the bedrock upon which the justice system’s constitutional performance rests.

CJI Kant also underscored that the Indian justice system encompasses more than formal adjudication. It requires creating and supporting parallel pathways that are credible, accessible, and aligned with constitutional values. Among these pathways, mediation and arbitration have emerged as transformative developments. Mediation, in particular, has grown into a central pillar of the justice delivery system, helping citizens resolve disputes in a manner that is quicker, less adversarial, and often more satisfactory.

Arbitration, especially institutional arbitration, holds tremendous potential to transform both domestic dispute resolution and India’s global legal standing. The CJI observed that India is increasingly being recognised as a preferred destination for international dispute resolution. Institutional arbitration, with structured processes and professional expertise, can help streamline dispute resolution and reduce the burden on courts while simultaneously reinforcing India’s position in global commerce and international law.

Technology, too, has played a critical role in reshaping the contours of the justice system. The adoption of digital filing, virtual hearings, and modern case-management tools has widened access and increased transparency. These innovations have been indispensable, particularly in the post-pandemic era, enabling courts to continue functioning smoothly despite unprecedented challenges. However, the CJI cautioned that technology must be deployed thoughtfully and inclusively. Many citizens lack reliable access to digital connectivity or devices, and the justice system must ensure that technological reforms do not inadvertently exclude those most in need of support.

The Chief Justice also highlighted the importance of international cooperation among judiciaries, stating that the “comity of courts” should no longer be seen as a mere diplomatic formality. Instead, collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the exchange of best practices among friendly nations strengthen the global pursuit of justice. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to sharing its technological and procedural innovations with other countries, reflecting the judiciary’s belief in building a global ecosystem rooted in fairness, transparency, and shared constitutional values.

Reflecting on India’s constitutional journey, CJI Kant noted that the Constitution has served as the nation’s stabilising force, guiding it from its early days as an emerging democracy to its current status as one of the world’s largest economies. Throughout political and social transformations, the Constitution has enabled change without chaos and progress without disorientation. Its role as the country’s “grundnorm,” or foundational norm, has ensured continuity, unity, and stability in governance and justice.

Constitution Day, celebrated since 2015, serves as a reminder of the historic moment when the Constituent Assembly adopted the document that continues to define the aspirations and rights of India’s citizens. Earlier known as Law Day, this observance honours not only the text of the Constitution but also the living tradition of democracy and rule of law that it sustains.

In conclusion, CJI Surya Kant’s call for a uniform national judicial policy underscores a broader vision: a justice system that is predictable, coherent, inclusive, and firmly anchored in constitutional values. By harmonising judicial practices across jurisdictions, strengthening infrastructure, embracing technology responsibly, and promoting alternative dispute resolution, the judiciary can move closer to fulfilling its constitutional mandate of ensuring justice for all.