National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian encouraged aspiring lawyers to pursue the legal profession with purpose rather than financial ambition, stating that around 80% of successful people in the legal field are first-generation professionals. Addressing the incoming batch during Deeksharambh 2026 at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University (DBRANLU), Sonepat, he urged students to build careers rooted in ethics, justice, and intellectual curiosity.

Justice Ramasubramanian delivered the keynote address on the fourth day of the university's induction programme, where he reflected on the broader role of legal education in shaping responsible professionals.

Law should be driven by purpose

Speaking to the newly admitted students, the NHRC Chairperson asked them to reflect on why they had chosen to study law. While acknowledging that the legal profession offers diverse career opportunities in litigation, corporate practice, academia, the judiciary, and public service, he cautioned against viewing law merely as a pathway to financial success.

Instead, he urged students to identify a larger purpose that would guide their professional journey, emphasising that conviction, integrity, and a commitment to justice are the foundations of a meaningful legal career.

Law goes beyond statutes and courtrooms

Justice Ramasubramanian explained that legal education is not confined to learning statutes or courtroom procedures but involves understanding complex questions of ethics, society, and human behaviour.

Tracing the evolution of legal systems, he observed that law developed as societies became more complex and required structured mechanisms to resolve disputes. He encouraged students to approach legal problems with objectivity, recognising that many issues involve competing perspectives rather than straightforward answers.

Mahabharata and ethics in legal education

Highlighting the enduring relevance of Indian epics, Justice Ramasubramanian described the Mahabharata as a timeless source of insights into morality, duty, justice, compassion, ambition, and conflict. He said such texts continue to offer valuable lessons for understanding ethical dilemmas faced by legal professionals.

To illustrate the complexity of legal decision-making, he referred to philosopher Michael Sandel's "trolley problem," using the thought experiment to demonstrate how questions of ethics, morality, and utilitarianism often require careful reasoning rather than absolute judgments.

University welcomes new batch

The induction programme began with addresses by Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Devinder Singh and Registrar Prof. (Dr.) Ashutosh Mishra, who welcomed the incoming students and introduced them to the university's academic vision, institutional values, and student support systems.

The session formed part of Deeksharambh 2026, the university's orientation programme designed to familiarise new students with legal education while encouraging them to pursue their studies with integrity, critical thinking, and a commitment to public service.