REALISING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE UNDER THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION FROM CONSTITUTIONAL PROMISE TO PRACTICAL REALITY
AUTHOR – JAYA PRIYA S* & DR. JAYENDRA KASTURE**
* RESEARCH SCHOLAR, VIT SCHOOL OF LAW, CHENNAI.
** ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, VIT SCHOOL OF LAW, CHENNAI.
BEST CITATION – JAYA PRIYA S & DR. JAYENDRA KASTURE, REALISING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE UNDER THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION FROM CONSTITUTIONAL PROMISE TO PRACTICAL REALITY, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (10) OF 2026, PG. 116-124, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/IJLRV6I1013
Abstract:
“So long as you do not achieve social liberty, whatever freedom is provided by the law is of no avail to you.”
-Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
The Constitution of India embodies a transformative vision aimed at fostering an inclusive and just social order through the principle of equitable distribution of resources. Rooted in the idea of distributive justice, it seeks not merely to regulate economic arrangements but to correct entrenched social and economic disparities that have historically disadvantaged large sections of society. This constitutional philosophy reflects a commitment to ensuring that the benefits of development are shared in a manner that prioritizes human dignity and collective welfare. An examination of the Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy reveals a coherent framework designed to harmonize individual freedoms with social responsibility. While the Preamble lays down the foundational ideals of justice, social, economic, and political. The Fundamental Rights act as enforceable guarantees against inequality and exploitation. Complementing these, the Directive Principles provide a guiding vision for the State to actively promote welfare and reduce disparities in wealth and opportunity. Together, these elements form a dynamic mechanism that seeks to balance competing interests and create conditions for substantive equality. Thus, the Indian constitutional scheme serves as a powerful instrument for restructuring societal relations, ensuring that economic progress does not come at the cost of social justice, but instead contributes to a more balanced and humane order.
Keywords: Social Justice, Equality and Equity, Social Justice, Fundamental Rights, Distributive Justice, Socio-Economic Transformation.