As he approaches his retirement as Chief Justice of India (CJI) next month, DY Chandrachud shared on Tuesday that he is preoccupied with thoughts about how his tenure will be judged by history and the legacy he will leave for future generations of judges and legal professionals.

Justice Chandrachud took office as CJI on November 9, 2022, succeeding CJI UU Lalit. He is set to retire on November 10, 2024, marking a two-year tenure—the longest in the last 14 years for the position. His reflections highlight his commitment to the judiciary and the enduring impact of his leadership.

"I will be demitting office as the Chief Justice of India in November this year, after having served my country for two years. As my tenure is coming to an end, my mind has been heavily preoccupied with fears and anxieties about the future and the past. I find myself pondering over questions such as: Did I achieve everything I set out to do? How will history judge my tenure? Could I have done things differently? What legacy will I leave for future generations of judges and legal professionals?," said CJI Chandrachud.

Speaking at the convocation of JSW Law School in Paro, Bhutan, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud discussed his upcoming retirement and the legacy he hopes to leave behind. While he expressed preoccupation with how history might judge his tenure, he acknowledged that many of these questions are beyond his control. Ultimately, he found satisfaction in having served his country with utmost dedication throughout his time in office. His remarks resonated with the graduating students, highlighting the values of commitment and service in the legal profession.

"The answers to most of these questions lie beyond my control and perhaps, I will never find answers to some of these questions. However, I do know that, over the last two years, I have woken up every morning with a commitment to give the job my fullest and gone to bed with the satisfaction that I served my country with utmost dedication. It is in this, that I seek solace. Once you have this sense of faith in your intentions and abilities, it is easier to not get obsessed with the outcomes. You begin to value the process and the journey towards these outcomes," the CJI said.

In his speech at the JSW Law School convocation in Bhutan, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud addressed the common misconception that traditional community values are opposed to modern democratic principles such as liberty, equality, and dissent. He emphasized the importance of understanding how these values can coexist and enrich the democratic framework, urging future legal professionals to recognize the potential harmony between cultural traditions and contemporary democratic ideals.

"However, a dispassionate look at the history of our communities in Asia often yields a different answer," said the CJI.

Further, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud encouraged students to harness their youthful passion for justice. He acknowledged that while young people often possess a fierce desire to rectify the world's injustices, this drive can be tempered by inexperience, uncertainty, and a lack of opportunities. He urged the graduates to remain committed to their ideals and to seek ways to overcome these challenges as they embark on their professional journeys in the legal field.