In the years since the last edition, the Indian legal system has witnessed several significant developments across constitutional, criminal, and civil law. The Supreme Court and various High Courts have delivered landmark judgments on fundamental rights, federalism, and individual liberty. Issues of data privacy, digital surveillance, and freedom of speech in the age of social media have gained prominence. The decriminalization of certain offences, introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, replacing the colonial-era penal and procedural codes, have marked a historic shift in criminal jurisprudence.
Judicial pronouncements on same-sex relationships, reservation policies, and environmental protection continue to redefine the contours of constitutional morality. The growing use of public interest litigation (PIL) has expanded access to justice, even as debates over judicial activism versus judicial restraint persist. The rapid rise of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), particularly arbitration and mediation, reflects India’s effort to ease the burden on traditional courts and attract global investment.
At the same time, delays in justice delivery, judicial vacancies, and issues of accountability remain pressing challenges. The judiciary has increasingly grappled with questions arising from technology-driven governance, including artificial intelligence, digital evidence, and cybercrime. As India moves deeper into the digital and globalized era, its legal system continues to evolve—seeking to balance individual freedoms, state interests, and social justice in a rapidly transforming society.