Opening the vault
Contributor
2 published articles
The Constitution of India seeks to maintain a harmonious balance between individual liberty and social welfare through Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy. Fundamental Rights, enshrined in Part III (Articles 12–35), safeguard equality, freedom, dignity and other essential liberties, while DPSPs, contained in Part IV (Articles 36–51), guide the State towards achieving social and economic justice. Although Fundamental Rights are generally enforceable by courts and DPSPs are non-justiciable, both are fundamental to the constitutional vision of a democratic and welfare-oriented society. Judicial decisions, particularly Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) and Minerva Mills Ltd. v. Union of India (1980), have emphasised the importance of preserving harmony between these constitutional principles. Together, they reflect the Constitution’s commitment to individual rights, inclusive development and the broader public interest.
The Supreme Court’s shift from a three-year practice requirement to a one-year practice model backed by structured judicial training marks a significant change in the approach to Civil Judge recruitment. While one year may provide basic courtroom exposure, the success of the new framework will ultimately depend on rigorous, practical, and supervised judicial training
