National Advocates’ Day: December 3 Marks Lawyers’ Day in India, Remembering Dr Rajendra Prasad
December 3 is observed in India as Advocates’ Day, also popularly known as Lawyers’ Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the country’s first President and a distinguished lawyer. Born on December 3, 1884, Prasad went on to become one of the prominent figures of India’s freedom movement and constitutional history.
The day carries particular significance for the legal fraternity because Dr. Rajendra Prasad began his professional career in law before devoting himself extensively to the national movement. His legal training, scholarship and public life became closely connected with the larger constitutional and democratic development of India.
Dr. Prasad was not only a lawyer but also served as President of the Constituent Assembly, which played the central role in framing the Constitution of India. He subsequently became the first President of India, assuming office on January 26, 1950, and remained President until May 13, 1962.
The importance of December 3 has continued to be reflected in official national observances. On December 3, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes to Dr. Rajendra Prasad at Rashtrapati Bhavan on his birth anniversary.
Advocates’ Day therefore provides an occasion for the legal community to remember the broader responsibilities attached to the profession — upholding the rule of law, protecting constitutional rights and assisting courts in the administration of justice.
The significance of the day is particularly relevant at a time when the legal profession is undergoing major institutional and technological changes. Recent Supreme Court proceedings have also highlighted questions concerning the powers and functioning of the Bar Council of India and State Bar Councils. On September 3, 2026, the Supreme Court held that Bar Councils do not have disciplinary jurisdiction over law students before their enrolment as advocates.
Earlier, on September 2, 2026, the Supreme Court also addressed the leadership and institutional functioning of the Bar Council of India, observing that Manan Kumar Mishra would serve only in a pro-tem capacity until a newly constituted lawyers’ body elects its office-bearers.
These recent developments underline that Advocates’ Day is not merely a commemorative occasion. It also offers an opportunity to reflect on the independence of the legal profession, professional ethics, access to justice and the responsibility of advocates in safeguarding constitutional governance.
For India’s lawyers, December 3 remains a day to remember Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s journey from the Bar to the highest constitutional office and to reaffirm the profession’s commitment to justice, dignity, constitutional values and the rule of law.
