New Delhi, Oct 2026 : Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant on Saturday described law as a dynamic and evolving discipline, saying it is shaped by the minds, actions and diverse perspectives of those who practise it. He urged young lawyers to uphold ethical values, defend justice and remain receptive to viewpoints different from their own.
Addressing the 34th Annual Convocation of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru, the CJI said legal education must extend beyond textbooks, statutes and judicial precedents. It should also nurture intellectual independence, ethical responsibility and the ability to engage constructively with people holding differing opinions.
“Each time we listen to perspectives that diverge from ours, we are reminded that the law itself is a living conversation and that it is shared by voices that do not always harmonise but together create the symphony of justice,” he said.
Justice Kant emphasised that success in the legal profession requires more than a thorough understanding of legislation and case law. Lawyers must possess the courage to defend what is right while demonstrating the humility to listen to those whose voices are often overlooked.
He said intellectual independence demands fearlessness, the willingness to listen before reaching conclusions, and the ability to distinguish between a person and their position. Professionals, he added, should be able to disagree without compromising another individual’s dignity.
“The law, as you will soon discover in its living form, is not static. It breathes, and it evolves through the minds and actions of those who practise it,” the CJI said.
Addressing the graduating students, Justice Kant reminded them that their professional contributions would influence the broader justice system. The cases they argued, contracts they drafted, advice they provided and judgments they authored would all become part of the country’s larger legal framework.
Describing law school as a place where ideas collide and convictions are tested, he said legal education also involves encountering people whose backgrounds, beliefs and interpretations challenge one's assumptions. Such experiences, he noted, help students develop the maturity and independence needed to navigate complex legal and ethical questions.
The CJI cautioned the graduates against abandoning their principles when faced with pressure, expediency or seemingly convenient shortcuts. He urged them to remain guided by the values and lessons acquired during their time at the institution.
“Law will challenge your patience, test your ethics, and call upon the deepest reserves of your courage,” he said, while highlighting the profession’s potential to correct injustices, defend liberty and serve society.
During the convocation, Justice Kant also expressed condolences to the family and friends of a deceased NLSIU graduate who, he said, should have been present to receive her degree alongside her classmates.
He acknowledged the role of parents, faculty members and university staff in supporting the graduates throughout their academic and personal journeys.
Concluding his address, the CJI encouraged the graduates to become more than legal practitioners, urging them to emerge as “heralds of hope” whose commitment to justice and public service would leave a lasting contribution to society.
