The Constitution of India turns 75: A Diamond Jubilee Commemoration

SCO’s Editorial Note

On the surface, there are small ripples of movement. We track and read the daily orders and weekly decisions of the Supreme Court as it works through myriad cases.  We wait in anticipation for the occasional Constitution Bench decision that resets state-citizen relations or interprets fundamental rights. These are the visible and tangible reminders that the Constitution of India, which came into force in January 1950, shapes, directs and animates our everyday lives in the republic.

However, the big picture eludes us when we focus on the issues of the day. A Diamond Jubilee Commemoration gives us an opportunity to take a longer view. To pause and to reflect on how the Constitution bequeathed to us by the freedom movement has transformed a colonised, feudal, casteist and patriarchal society into a progressive and rights-based democracy. While we are yet to wholly realise our constitutional promise, we work within the framework it provides to address complex and often intractable questions, one case at a time.

The Supreme Court Observer was established to chronicle the Supreme Court’s efforts to make the Constitution work for everyone. We track hearings and judgements and develop a veritable archive of the Court and the Constitution. It is not enough to know what the Constitution means; we must document why and how the Court reached its conclusions.

Now, we are honoured that the Bar Association of India is collaborating with the Supreme Court Observer for copy editing this Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Volume on the Constitution of India 1950. This volume brings together lawyers and academics to reflect on topics ranging from constitutional morality and identity; popular sovereignty, democracy and constitutionalism; the rule of law and federalism; the separation of powers and the evolution of the fundamental rights to equality, life, and dignity.

This volume brings together diverse authors in the spirit of celebration and collective learning. Our goal was to ensure the flow and consistency of tone while preserving the distinct voice of each author. Our Founding Editor, Dr. Sudhir Krishnaswamy; Managing Trustee and Senior Advocate Jayna Kothari; and Senior Associate Editor, V. Venkatesan, have all contributed chapters to this collection. The editorial team includes R. Sai Spandana, Vikram Shah, Gauri Kashyap, Advay Vora and Ajitesh Singh. Our interns, Raaz and Shreeya Jakka, provided invaluable assistance with formatting and referencing.

We trust that this commemorative volume will stand as a testament and celebration of the last 75 years of our vibrant constitutional history. By inviting engagement and criticism, it invokes a reflective perspective on Indian constitutional life that will motivate and prepare us for the next century of constitutionalism in our land.

 On behalf of the Supreme Court Observer team

This note was featured in ‘Supreme Court at 75: The Journey So Far’. The Book was produced by the Bar Association of India in collaboration with the Supreme Court Observer and published by Mohan Law House in August 2025.