Abstract Historically, India’s constitutional approach to sustainable development embodies a synthesis of traditional ecological wisdom and contemporary legal framework. This reflects in the ancient Indian philosophies advocating respect for nature which also resonate with contemporary global goals like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The making of the Indian Constitution in 1950 marked a transformative moment in India’s journey toward incorporating democratic principles and numerous social reforms. The constitution makers were deeply influenced by global movements for human rights and national aspirations for establishing equitable and just society. Efforts were made to include several provisions that laid the foundation for sustainable development long before the idea became globally recognized. The Directive Principles of State Policy, specifically Articles 39(b), 47, and 48(a) focused on equitable distribution of resources, public health and environmental protection, highlighting the Constitution’s foresight in linking human welfare with ecological balance. Even the landmark judgments of Supreme Court, further interpreted the right to life under Article 21 to include the right to a clean and healthy environment, reinforcing sustainability as a constitutional mandate. The evolution of environmental jurisprudence, public interest litigation and policy frameworks such as the National Green Tribunal signify India’s commitment to integrating sustainability into governance. The paper attempts to analyse the historical context of the Indian Constitution and assess the intersection between Constitutional Law and Sustainable Development Goals. It aims to trace the evolution of environmental governance mechanism and its positioning with sustainable development principles.
Mishra et al. (Sun,) studied this question.