This article examines the evolving doctrine of constitutional morality in contemporary India, analyzing its conceptual foundations, jurisprudential trajectory, and practical implications for democratic governance. Drawing from its classical origins in George Grote's writings and its reformulation by B. R. Ambedkar during the Constituent Assembly debates, the study situates constitutional morality as a normative framework essential for sustaining India's democratic project. Through an extensive review of landmark judgments including Kesavananda Bharati, Naz Foundation, Navtej Singh Johar, Puttaswamy, Sabarimala, and the Delhi NCT governance cases, the article demonstrates how constitutional morality has been deployed by courts to protect fundamental rights, counter majoritarian pressures, and reinforce institutional integrity. At the same time, the doctrine's expansion has generated significant tensions concerning judicial overreach, conceptual ambiguity, political instrumentalization, and socio-cultural resistance. The article argues that constitutional morality today functions as both a normative compass anchored in constitutional values and a contested construct shaped by competing political and interpretive claims. It concludes by outlining pathways for strengthening constitutional culture through institutional reforms, civic education, ethical leadership, clearer doctrinal parameters, and an engaged public committed to the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Sravan S R (Mon,) studied this question.