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17 Jan 2026·Source: The Hindu
2 min
Polity & GovernancePolity & GovernanceNEWS

Reclaiming India: Former CJI Chandrachud Discusses Constitutionality with N. Ravi

Former CJI Chandrachud and N. Ravi discuss reclaiming India and constitutional matters.

Reclaiming India: Former CJI Chandrachud Discusses Constitutionality with N. Ravi

Photo by Anthony Garand

On January 17, 2026, at the Lady Andal School Premises in Chennai, former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud engaged in a conversation with N. Ravi on the topic of reclaiming India, also known as Bharat, and the importance of the Constitution. The discussion was part of The Hindu Lit for Life 2026 festival.

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper 2: Constitution, Polity, Governance

2.

GS Paper 1: History, Culture

3.

Connects to debates on national identity and constitutional interpretation

4.

Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical essays

Visual Insights

Evolution of Judicial Discourse on the Constitution

Highlights key events and discussions related to the Constitution of India, leading up to the recent conversation between former CJI Chandrachud and N. Ravi.

The Indian Constitution has been at the center of numerous debates and judicial pronouncements, shaping the nation's legal and political landscape.

  • 2015Supreme Court upholds NJAC Act, but strikes down the 99th Constitutional Amendment.
  • 2017Justice Khehar becomes CJI, emphasizes judicial independence.
  • 2018सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने समलैंगिकता को अपराध की श्रेणी से बाहर कर दिया (नवतेज सिंह जौहर बनाम भारत संघ)।
  • 2019Abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • 2020Supreme Court's verdict on the Ayodhya dispute.
  • 2022Debate on the interpretation of the basic structure doctrine intensifies.
  • 2024Increased discussions on judicial reforms and pendency of cases.
  • 2025Supreme Court hears petitions related to electoral bonds scheme.
  • 2026Former CJI Chandrachud discusses Constitutionality with N. Ravi at The Hindu Lit for Life 2026.
More Information

Background

The debate surrounding India's name, Bharat, has deep historical roots. The name 'India' is derived from the Indus River, a term used by the Greeks. 'Bharat,' on the other hand, has ancient origins in Hindu Puranas and the Mahabharata, referring to the land between the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean.

The Constituent Assembly debated the country's name, with some members strongly advocating for 'Bharat' as it represented the nation's indigenous identity and cultural heritage. Ultimately, Article 1(1) of the Constitution states, 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States,' reflecting a compromise between these different perspectives. The choice of both names reflects the complex historical and cultural tapestry of the nation, acknowledging both its ancient roots and its interactions with the outside world.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been a renewed push to prioritize the name 'Bharat' in official communications and public discourse. This trend reflects a broader movement towards decolonization and reclaiming indigenous identities. Several petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court seeking to officially recognize 'Bharat' as the sole name of the country.

While these petitions have not been successful, they have sparked public debate about national identity and the legacy of colonialism. The government has also been actively promoting Indian culture and heritage on international platforms, further emphasizing the importance of 'Bharat' as a symbol of national pride and cultural distinctiveness. This trend is likely to continue, with increasing emphasis on promoting indigenous languages, traditions, and knowledge systems.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the naming of India in the Constitution: 1. The Constituent Assembly unanimously agreed on the name 'Bharat' as the sole official name. 2. Article 1(1) of the Constitution states, 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States.' 3. The name 'India' is derived from ancient Sanskrit texts referencing the Indus River. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 only
  • B.2 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.2 and 3 only
Show Answer

Answer: D

Statement 1 is incorrect because there was debate, not unanimous agreement. Statement 2 is correct as it accurately reflects Article 1(1). Statement 3 is correct as 'India' is derived from the Indus River, known as 'Sindhu' in Sanskrit.

2. In the context of the ongoing debate regarding the use of 'Bharat' versus 'India,' which of the following statements best reflects the constitutional position?

  • A.The Constitution mandates the exclusive use of 'Bharat' in all official communications.
  • B.The Constitution recognizes both 'India' and 'Bharat' as official names of the country.
  • C.The Supreme Court has ruled that 'India' is the preferred name for international purposes.
  • D.The Parliament has passed a resolution to replace 'India' with 'Bharat' in all legal documents.
Show Answer

Answer: B

The Constitution, in Article 1(1), explicitly recognizes both 'India' and 'Bharat' as official names. The other options are factually incorrect.

3. Assertion (A): There has been a growing trend in recent years to promote the use of 'Bharat' over 'India' in official and public discourse. Reason (R): This trend reflects a desire to decolonize national identity and emphasize indigenous cultural heritage. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
  • B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
  • C.A is true, but R is false.
  • D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion. The promotion of 'Bharat' is indeed linked to decolonization and emphasizing indigenous heritage.

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