Constitution Day 2025: CJI Surya Kant calls for national judicial policy to reduce divergent views by courts

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant today called for the development of a uniform national judicial policy and institutional framework to encourage coherence and uniformity across court jurisdictions.

Speaking at an event to commemorate Constitution Day, the new CJI said that the time is right to reinforce predictability in judicial approach across all courts across the country.

"One constructive way forward, in my opinion, can be the evolution of a uniform national judicial policy and institutional framework that encourages coherence across jurisdictions so that our courts speak with clarity and consistency. It is high time we minimise unpredictability and avoidable divergence that may arise simply because there are twenty-five High Courts or multiple benches of the Supreme Court," he said.

Elaborating on his point using a musical metaphor, Justice Kant said,

"Justice cannot resemble a set of instruments producing harmonious notes in isolation but discordant sounds when played together. Instead, we must strive for a judicial symphony - one rhythm expressed in many voices and languages, but guided by a common constitutional score," he said.

CJI Kant began his address by quoting Begum Aizaz Rasul, one of the fifteen women members of the Constituent Assembly who said,

“A Constitution is judged by the spirit in which it is worked. It is judged by the manner and method of its implementation.”

One of the most transformative developments in the implementation of the Constitution, CJI Kant said, has been the emergence of mediation and as a central pillar of the justice delivery system.

"[Mediation] can ease the burden of pendency, enhance public confidence, and repair relationships in ways that litigation seldom permits. Above all, it brings justice closer to the people by offering a process that is less intimidating, more efficient and genuinely responsive to individual needs," he explained.

CJI Kant expressed his pride in the recent Mediation for Nation drive saying that it went a long way in promoting mediation as an effective method for resolving pending matrimonial, motor accident and commercial disputes.

Apart from mediation, the CJI said that the adoption of technology in judicial processes such as digital filing, virtual hearings, online transcript software, multilingual platforms and modern case-management tools have begun to democratise access to justice.

However, he sounded a word of caution - technology must be accompanied by sensitivity and inclusiveness.

"Technology must still be deployed with sensitivity and must remain inclusive, particularly for those who lack resources or connectivity," he said.

He added that global co-operation and sharing of effective practices would also be a matter of priority going forward.

"It is my conviction that the community of courts should no longer be regarded as an abstract diplomatic ideal. It must be understood as a practical conduit for shared learning, mutual strengthening, and collective advancement," he stated.

The event was also graced by President Droupadi Murmu who spoke of the most recent Constitutional amendment which granted one-third reservation in the parliament and State legislative assemblies to women. 

She termed it a historic step towards political justice for women.

"Out of the one hundred six constitutional amendments, the latest has taken a historic step towards political justice for women. This law is also a true tribute to the fifteen women members of the Constituent Assembly who initiated the empowerment of women in our parliamentary system," she said.

However, the President said that the journey is far from over; women's representation in all sectors are still lagging behind. And for that, a holistic change in public mindset and attitude is the need of the hour.

"Even today, we are behind. We have to move forward. Many speakers today have said that the number of women participating in the judiciary, legislature, executive and direct sectors must be increased. Therefore, this will not happen only when the public makes efforts. We will also have to change our mindset. From the Constituent Assembly to today’s Parliament, representatives of women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and backward classes have continued to take the country forward on the ideal of social justice," she said.

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