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Economic Justice in the Indian Constitution: Relevance for Inclusive and Sustainable Development

Every year on 26th November, India celebrates Constitution Day, marking the historic moment in 1949 when the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India, laying the foundation of a democratic, sovereign, and inclusive republic. Constitution Day is not merely a ceremonial observance; it is a national reminder of the values, aspirations, and transformative vision embedded in the constitutional document. Among its many dimensions — political, social, legal, and moral — the Constitution also embodies a profound economic philosophy aimed at building an equitable and just society. Central to this philosophy is the idea of economic justice, a principle that continues to hold enduring relevance in the 21st century, especially as India navigates the challenges of inequality, sustainable development, and inclusive growth.

The framers of the Constitution, under the visionary leadership of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, recognized that political democracy could not survive without economic democracy. They understood that the newly independent nation, burdened by poverty, structural inequalities, and colonial economic distortions, needed a constitutional framework capable of redistributing opportunities, promoting human dignity, and ensuring that the benefits of development reached all sections of society. This vision found expression in multiple parts of the Constitution, most notably the Preamble, which explicitly declares “Justice — social, economic and political” as the guiding ideal of the Republic.

Economic justice, therefore, is not an incidental or peripheral goal; it is a core constitutional commitment. It informs the design of the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV), subtly shapes the interpretation of Fundamental Rights (Part III), influences public policy, and guides judicial interventions aimed at protecting the marginalized. It reflects the Constitution’s resolve to create a social order in which the material conditions necessary for a dignified life are accessible to all citizens, irrespective of caste, class, gender, region, or religion.

In contemporary India, the pursuit of economic justice has acquired even greater significance. The country is witnessing rapid economic transformation — urbanization, digitalization, demographic shifts, and integration with global markets. While these developments offer unprecedented opportunities, they also raise complex questions about inequality, environmental sustainability, employment generation, and the future of welfare. Constitution Day offers a moment to reflect on whether our development trajectory aligns with the constitutional promise of a just economic order. It also invites scholars, policymakers, educators, and citizens to examine how constitutional values can guide India’s transition toward a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economy.

As the world focuses on climate resilience, gender equality, poverty reduction, and balanced regional development, India’s constitutional framework provides a robust normative foundation for addressing these challenges. By emphasizing human welfare, distributive justice, and social security, the Constitution envisions a development model that is not limited to GDP growth, but one that upholds human dignity, intergenerational equity, and shared prosperity.

Thus, on Constitution Day, revisiting the principle of economic justice is not merely a scholarly exercise — it is a reaffirmation of India’s constitutional vision. It is a reminder that true independence and democracy are meaningful only when all citizens enjoy equal access to opportunities and resources. As India strives toward the goals of inclusive and sustainable development, the constitutional commitment to economic justice remains both a guiding light and a moral obligation.

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Dr B. R. Ambedkar’s Constitutional Philosophy: Economic Equality as a Precondition for Democracy — Dr Ambedkar’s contributions to the Constitution extend far beyond the legal architecture; they constitute a comprehensive philosophy of social transformation. His conceptualization of democracy was deeply rooted in liberty, equality, and fraternity, drawn from Western political thought but adapted to India’s socio-historical context.

From an academic standpoint, Ambedkar’s emphasis on economic democracy stemmed from three theoretical insights:

1. Structural Inequality: He recognized that historically oppressed communities, particularly the Scheduled Castes, suffered economic marginalization that political rights alone could not correct.
2. Capabilities and Human Dignity: Anticipating the modern capabilities approach (Sen, Nussbaum), Ambedkar linked economic opportunities to the realization of dignified human existence.
3. State Responsibility: He envisaged a proactive state that would undertake distributive measures, regulate resources, and provide social security to ensure equality of outcomes, not merely equality of opportunity.

Thus, Ambedkar positioned economic justice not as a policy choice but as a constitutional mandate necessary for sustaining democratic legitimacy.

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The Preamble: Economic Justice as a Normative Constitutional Commitment — The Preamble’s articulation of “Justice — social, economic and political” is a foundational normative statement that frames the Constitution’s philosophical orientation. Economically, it signifies:

• The eradication of poverty and destitution
• The dismantling of systemic barriers that restrict access to resources
• The establishment of equitable economic structures
• The assurance of fair conditions of labour and livelihood

In constitutional theory, the Preamble functions as a guiding interpretive tool, influencing statutory interpretation, judicial reasoning, and public policy frameworks. It establishes economic justice as a telos, or ultimate purpose, of the Indian state.

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Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV): The Constitutional Economic Blueprint — 

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) operationalize the vision of economic justice. Although non-justiciable, DPSPs are constitutionally binding in a normative sense and serve as key indicators of the state’s socio-economic obligations.

Key Articles and Their Academic Significance — 

• Article 38: Calls for minimizing inequalities — horizontal (across individuals) and vertical (across groups, regions, sectors).
• Article 39: Lays down principles of equitable resource distribution, prevention of wealth concentration, equal pay, and protection of vulnerable groups.
• Articles 41–43A: Focus on work, education, social security, humane conditions of labour, and worker participation in management.

The DPSPs reflect the post-colonial developmental state model combining welfarism, distributive justice, and regulated capitalism, aligning with global models of social democracy.

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Fundamental Rights and Judicial Expansion: Economic Justice Through Constitutional Interpretation — Indian constitutional jurisprudence has progressively expanded the meaning of fundamental rights to incorporate elements of economic justice:

• Right to Life (Article 21) now includes the right to livelihood, adequate nutrition, shelter, education, and health.
• Judicial creativity through the PIL movement has enhanced access to justice for marginalized populations.
• Landmark cases (Olga Tellis, Francis Coralie Mullin, Mohini Jain, Unni Krishnan) illustrate the extension of fundamental rights into socio-economic domains.

The judiciary has increasingly aligned its interpretation with the Preamble and DPSPs, creating what scholars describe as an “integrated constitutionalism” — a fusion of rights, duties, and welfare obligations.

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Contemporary Relevance: Economic Justice in India’s Developmental Context -bDespite high GDP growth, India continues to face barriers to inclusive and sustainable development:

Persistent Inequalities

• Regional imbalances
• Large informal labour force
• Gender disparities in income and employment
• Unequal access to education, healthcare, financial services

Growth vs. Inclusion

India’s growth model has often produced “islands of prosperity” rather than broad-based development. Constitutionally, such disparities obstruct the realization of economic justice.

Sustainable Development Imperatives

Emerging challenges — climate change, natural resource depletion, pollution — necessitate a development model aligned with intergenerational equity, a principle consistent with the constitutional ethos of justice.

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Digital Transformation and the New Architecture of Inequality — The rapid expansion of digital technologies has created new opportunities but also new economic divides:

• Uneven digital literacy and access
• Algorithmic biases
• Precarity among gig workers
• Questions of data protection and digital rights

The constitutional promise of equality and economic justice requires the state to address emerging digital inequalities, reinforcing Ambedkar’s notion of a responsive state that evolves with societal needs.

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Ambedkar’s Enduring Relevance to Economic Policy and Governance — Dr Ambedkar’s thought remains profoundly relevant to contemporary governance:

• His call for institutional accountability aligns with today’s need for transparency and rule-based administration.
• His emphasis on education, skill development, and labour welfare resonates with India’s new economic priorities.
• His critique of unchecked capitalism and advocacy for social safeguards parallel global debates on inequality, welfare, and social protection systems.

Ambedkar’s philosophy thus provides a conceptual anchor for economic policymaking in the 21st century.

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Constitution Day as a Moment for Democratic and Economic Reflection — Constitution Day offers a vital opportunity to evaluate India’s developmental trajectory:

• Has economic growth translated into improved human welfare?
• Are inequalities narrowing or widening?
• Is public policy aligned with constitutional values?
• Are vulnerable groups adequately protected?
• Is development ecologically sustainable?

These questions highlight the Constitution’s role as an evolving, living document that continually guides India’s socio-economic transformation.

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Conclusion: The Constitutional Imperative of Inclusive and Sustainable Development

Economic justice remains a cornerstone of the Indian constitutional project. It demands not merely economic expansion but the creation of a just socio-economic order that ensures dignity, opportunities, and security for all citizens. Dr B. R. Ambedkar’s vision of an egalitarian society, embedded in the Constitution, continues to offer both a moral and policy framework for addressing contemporary challenges.

On Constitution Day, 26 November, reflecting on these principles is essential for renewing the national commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, ensuring that economic progress is not only measured by aggregate growth but by its distributional equity, social impact, and long-term sustainability.

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Thanks.

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