Hon’ble (Dr.) Justice D.Y. Chandrachud

Dr. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud has had an illustrious legal career marked by exemplary service and academic excellence. Appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India on 13 May 2016, he previously served as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court from 31 October 2013 until his elevation to the Supreme Court. His judicial journey began at the Bombay High Court, where he served as a Judge from 29 March 2000 before taking on the role of Chief Justice in Allahabad. During his tenure, he also contributed to legal education as the Director of the Maharashtra Judicial Academy.

Before his judicial appointments, Justice Chandrachud served as the Additional Solicitor General of India from 1998 until he became a Judge. His legal acumen was recognized early when he was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Bombay High Court in June 1998. He practised law extensively at the Supreme Court of India and the Bombay High Court, building a reputation for his profound understanding of constitutional and legal principles.

A scholar of international repute, Justice Chandrachud has enriched legal academia as a Visiting Professor at the Oklahoma University School of Law, USA. His intellectual contributions extend globally, with lectures delivered at prestigious institutions such as the Australian National University, Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, and the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. He has also been a distinguished speaker at conferences organized by United Nations bodies, including the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights, the International Labour Organisation, and the United Nations Environmental Program, as well as at forums hosted by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Justice Chandrachud holds an LLM degree and a Doctorate in Juridical Sciences (SJD) from Harvard Law School, USA. His foundational education includes a BA (Honours) in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi, and an LLB from the Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. His journey from academia to the apex court reflects his unwavering commitment to justice, constitutional values, and the rule of law, making him one of India’s most respected jurists.

The NLU Delhi community welcomes Dr. Justice Chandrachud as Distinguished Professor.