Justice Kant: Moral Integrity Shapes the Path Forward

Swift Summary

• Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant addressed graduates at the 33rd Annual Convocation of the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru on september 7, 2025.
• justice Kant emphasized the importance of moral autonomy and ethical courage for lawyers, urging them to view standing by their conscience as a defining aspect of their careers.
• He shared an anecdote from his early legal practice where he resisted arguments that felt “ethically uncomfortable” and was eventually appreciated for his candor.
• Justice Kant encouraged graduates to reshape and align legal practice with societal justice, transforming it into a force for change.
• He outlined three crucial career decisions every lawyer faces: ethical boundaries,definitions of success (authenticity vs.expectation), and duty to others (lifting others while advancing).
• He highlighted that rushed ethical choices could lead to lifelong regrets and advised clarity on non-negotiable standards in advance.
• Success should be purpose-driven, contributing to meaningful change rather than merely preserving status quo achievements.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Justice Surya Kant’s convocation address places significant emphasis on aligning legal practice with personal ethics while promoting societal conversion. by invoking real-life experiences from his career, he reinforces the critical role values play in professional growth.His call to create opportunities for future generations resonates deeply within India’s evolving legal framework. For new law graduates who will shape India’s justice system, this guidance introduces foundational principles integral both professionally and socially.

This viewpoint holds particular relevance as India continues addressing pressing issues involving access to justice for marginalized communities. Lawyers embodying such ethos may contribute constructively toward strengthening public trust in institutions through advocacy rooted in ethics rather than opportunism. Maintaining neutrality here demands recognition-for those entering judiciary professions-how individual integrity intertwines reciprocal collective benefit toward society wider reaching reforms globally

Image Credit: Sudhakara Jain / The Hindu | Supreme Court Judge Justice Surya Kant during convocation event image appears attached