RGNUL Seventh Convocation

RGNUL Seventh Convocation

Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab hosted 7th Convocation Ceremony on

December 23, 2025. In total 725 Students from all programmes were conferred degrees at the Convocation in person and in absentia from the 2023, 2024 and 2025 batches. In addition, degrees were conferred to 2 (two) LL.D. students and 9 (nine) Ph.D. students. The University also conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) upon Hon’ble Mr. Justice Pankaj Mithal, Judge Supreme Court of India for outstanding contribution in justice delivery system. Degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) was also conferred upon Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rajesh Bindal, Judge Supreme Court of India in recognition of his contribution to the judiciary and the cause of justice.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, graced the occasion and delivered the convocation address. He delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking address to the graduating students. He urged them to uphold the constitutional values and dedicate themselves to the service of the society. Justice Surya Kant exhorted the graduating students to embrace their role as nation builders and custodians of India’s constitutional future.

Addressing the students he observed that every generation inherits the Republic in an unfinished form and bears the responsibility of shaping its future. He emphasised that the true strength of the Constitution lies not merely in judicial interpretation or institutional frameworks, but in the actions and values of lawyers.

He drew a distinction between “case builders” and “nation builders,”. He cautioned against reducing the legal profession to a narrow pursuit focused solely on winning cases or procedural expertise. He acknowledged the importance of professional competence. He stressed that lawyers must also consider the long-term impact of their actions on justice, fairness, and public trust in the legal system. Justice Surya Kant remarked that a nation-building lawyer looks beyond immediate success to the kind of system being strengthened through legal practice.

Justice Surya Kant highlighted the evolving challenges faced by lawyers in a rapidly transforming India, where legal disputes increasingly intersect with technology, digital assets, environmental concerns, and cross-border complexities. He stated that in such times, lawyers are expected not only to argue and advise, but also to innovate, interpret, and humanise the law. He underlined that judicial reforms and modernisation efforts would achieve real meaning only when young lawyers translate ideas into action at the grassroots level.

Justice Surya Kant identified three essential pillars for a meaningful and enduring legal career: integrity, compassion, and curiosity. He described integrity as the institutional backbone of the justice system, noting that public trust cannot survive without ethical conduct and moral courage.

Compassion, he stated, is not contrary to the law but fundamental to its proper functioning. Justice risks becoming mechanical and hollow when it ignores the human realities behind legal disputes. Small but sincere acts like listening patiently, explaining procedures, and addressing power imbalances often play a decisive role in sustaining faith in the justice delivery system.

The third pillar, curiosity, was emphasised as vital in keeping the law relevant in an age of rapid technological and social change. He encouraged students to remain lifelong learners, to engage with technology responsibly, and to ensure that technological tools remain servants of justice rather than substitutes for human judgment. He urged the students to build the future with integrity, compassion, and curiosity, so that generations to come may stand stronger upon the foundations they lay.

Hon’ble Justice Surya Kant blessed the students and wished them success in their future endeavors.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sheel Nagu, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and Chancellor, RGNUL, emphasized the importance of passion and devotion in one’s chosen field. He urged the students to pursue their professional journeys with sincerity and commitment. He stated that genuine passion not only leads to excellence but also provides the resilience required to overcome challenges and setbacks. He reminded the students that the legal profession, in particular, demands unwavering honesty, ethical conduct, and moral courage. He emphasized that law is not about winning arguments but about imparting justice.

Justice Nagu spoke about the duty of alumni towards their alma mater. He encouraged the graduating class to remain connected with RGNUL and to contribute to its growth and reputation in whatever capacity possible, stating that an institution’s strength is reflected in the values and achievements of its alumni.

Prof. (Dr.) Jai Shankar Singh, Vice Chancellor of the University, welcomed the guests and highlighted the achievements of the University. He emphasized the importance of legal education in the development of the country.

The event was graced by the presence of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Augustine George Masih, Judge Supreme Court of India, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal, Jammu & Kashmir High Court, Hon’ble Justice Smt. Ramesh Kumari, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court, Hon’ble Mr. Justice G.R. Swaminathan, Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ranjit Singh former judges, Mr. M.S. Bedi, Advocate General, Punjab, Mr. Rakesh Gupta, Chairman, Bar Association, members of General Council, Executive Council, Academic Council, Finance Committee and faculty and staff of RGNUL.