CJI Surya Kant Urges Young Lawyers to Be Nation-Builders, Not Just Case-Winners
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Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant called upon young lawyers to think beyond winning cases and instead focus on shaping the nation's future. Addressing the graduating class of the Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law in Punjab, the CJI emphasized that India's Constitution is a living document that requires lawyers, judges, and institutions to bring it to life through their work. The CJI made a distinction between 'case-builders' who focus on individual disputes and 'nation-builders' who consider the broader societal implications of their work. He urged young lawyers to adopt a transformational approach, thinking about how their work will impact future generations and shape the country's trajectory. Justice Kant cautioned against a transactional approach to law, where lawyers focus solely on winning cases and billing hours. Instead, he encouraged young lawyers to reflect on the values that guide their professional choices and strive to strengthen democratic institutions. The CJI noted that young lawyers are entering a rapidly changing legal landscape, where disputes involve complex technologies, economics, and public policy. He urged them to interpret complex realities, advise responsibly, innovate solutions, and humanize the law. Drawing from his four decades of experience in the legal profession, the CJI outlined three essential pillars for a fulfilling and impactful career: integrity, compassion, and curiosity. He emphasized that integrity is not just a personal virtue but also an institutional infrastructure that earns credibility over time. Compassion, he said, is essential to preventing justice from becoming mechanical and hollow, while curiosity is the engine that keeps the law responsive in a rapidly changing world. Concluding his address, the CJI urged the graduating students to build with integrity, compassion, and curiosity, so that they can make a meaningful impact on the nation's future and 'stand a little taller' for generations to come.
