Overview
The National Conference on “The Living Constitution: 75 Years of Democracy, Dignity and Development”, organized by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, concluded on November 26, 2025, in New Delhi. This event marked the grand finale of the nationwide commemoration of 75 Years of the Adoption of the Constitution of India (Samvidhan @75).
Key Highlights
- Inaugural Session: Featured addresses by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India (Retd.), the Secretary of DAF, and senior leaders of the Ministry, highlighting the Constitution as a dynamic guide for India's democratic evolution.
- Exhibition: A special exhibition curated by the National Archives of India showcased rare documents, photographs, and archival materials from the Constitution-making period.
- Panel Discussions:
- Panel I: “The Living Constitution in Action: Democracy, Dignity and Development in the 21st Century” – Examined constitutional interpretation, democratic resilience, and challenges posed by technological and social transitions.
- Panel II: “Constitutional Pathways to Social Justice and Inclusive Development: Realising Dr. Ambedkar vision in Contemporary India” – Discussed constitutional mechanisms for achieving inclusion and empowering marginalized communities.
- Participants: More than 700 participants, including professors, fellows, and students from colleges across Delhi, attended the Conference.
- Book Release: The book “One India through Digital India”, authored by Prof. James Stephen Meka, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chair Professor, Andhra University, was released.
- Digital Initiative: The Hon’ble Union Minister launched the First Phase of the “Consolidation of All Portals of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE)”.
Key Developments
Panel Discussions
The conference hosted two intellectually stimulating panel discussions:
- Panel Discussion – I: “The Living Constitution in Action: Democracy, Dignity and Development in the 21st Century”
- Distinguished Vice-Chancellors, professors of law, and senior advocates examined the evolution of constitutional interpretation, democratic resilience, the rights framework, and the challenges posed by technological and social transitions.
- Panel Discussion – II: “Constitutional Pathways to Social Justice and Inclusive Development: Realising Dr. Ambedkar vision in Contemporary India”
- Experts in public law, social policy, and digital governance discussed constitutional mechanisms for achieving inclusion, bridging digital divides, empowering marginalised communities, and moving towards Viksit Bharat 2047 guided by Ambedkarite principles.
Book Release: “One India through Digital India”
One of the most significant highlights of the conference was the release of the book “One India through Digital India”, authored by Prof. James Stephen Meka, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chair Professor, Andhra University. The book was formally released by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India (Retd.), who praised the work for its relevance, clarity, and its focus on digital empowerment as a constitutional tool for bridging socio-economic divides. He emphasized that Digital India is not merely a technological mission but an instrument for strengthening democratic participation and constitutional inclusion.
Consolidation of DoSJE Portals
During the valedictory session, the Hon’ble Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment launched the First Phase of the “Consolidation of All Portals of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE)”, a flagship initiative aimed at unifying multiple digital platforms of the Ministry into a single integrated interface. The Minister highlighted that this consolidated system is a transformative step in digital governance, improving transparency, user accessibility, data convergence, and service delivery.
Exam Relevance
This event is relevant to GS2 (Governance, Constitution, Social Justice) and GS3 (Inclusive Growth and Development). It highlights the government's focus on upholding constitutional values and promoting social justice through digital empowerment. The discussion on Viksit Bharat 2047 is also relevant for understanding India's long-term development goals.
Important Facts
- The conference commemorated 75 years of the adoption of the Indian Constitution.
- The Dr. Ambedkar Foundation organized the conference.
- The National Archives of India curated an exhibition showcasing historical documents.
- Prof. James Stephen Meka authored the book “One India through Digital India”.
- The Ministry launched the consolidation of all its portals into a single interface to improve digital governance.