Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant delivered a presidential address at the 33rd annual convocation of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru on September 7, 2025. The event took place at the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar School of Economics University Auditorium, where 1,557 students graduated, including 287 from on-campus programs and 1,270 from off-campus programs. A total of 52 gold medals were awarded to 25 graduates. NLSIU was highlighted for maintaining its top position in the NIRF Rankings 2025 for the eighth consecutive year. Other notable speakers included T.N. Ninan, former chairperson and editor of Business Standard, as the chief guest; Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Bar Council of India and Member of Rajya Sabha; and Sudhir Krishnaswamy, Vice-Chancellor of NLSIU.
In his speech, Justice Kant urged the law graduates to become “social engineers” and use the law as a tool for societal transformation, drawing inspiration from N.R. Madhava Menon, the founding director of NLSIU. He emphasized the critical role of moral autonomy, integrity, and ethical courage in the legal profession, stating that “moral autonomy in the field of law did not end careers but defined them.”
Key highlights from his remarks include:
- Ethical Courage as an Asset: Justice Kant stressed that “Ethical courage is not a liability, but the greatest asset a lawyer can possess.” He encouraged graduates to prioritize their values over external pressures.
- Defining Career Moments: He outlined three pivotal moments that would shape their professional lives:
(1) Testing ethical boundaries—”will you compromise your values for advancement?”;
(2) Defining success—”will you choose authenticity or expectation?”; and
(3) Assessing responsibility to others—”will you lift others as you rise?”
He noted that success depends not on perfection but on handling these moments with purpose. - Reshaping the Law for Society: Justice Kant advised graduates to “reshape the law to serve communities in need and transform legal practice into a force for societal change.” He added, “Today, as you graduate, the question isn’t whether you have learned the law. It’s whether you are ready to reshape it, to bend the arc of justice toward the communities that need it most.”
- Building a Lasting Legacy: He urged them to focus on long-term impact, saying, “Your legacy won’t be measured by your personal achievements alone—it will be defined by the opportunities you create for those who follow.”
These remarks were made amid broader discussions on judicial ethics and the evolving role of lawyers in promoting justice and social responsibility.
Lawcutor 