Abstract

Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws, has traditionally been interpreted through the lens of formal equality and reasonable classification. Over time, however, judicial interpretation has transformed Article 14 into a dynamic instrument of constitutional justice aimed at dismantling structural inequalities and advancing substantive fairness. This paper examines the evolution of Article 14 from a principle of formal equality to a doctrine of transformative equality that seeks to address entrenched social, economic, and institutional disadvantages. It analyzes how the judiciary has expanded the scope of Article 14 by developing doctrines such as arbitrariness, proportionality, and substantive equality. The paper argues that transformative equality under Article 14 represents a paradigm shift in Indian constitutional law, repositioning equality as a tool for social transformation rather than mere formal non-discrimination. Through doctrinal analysis, the study evaluates the implications of this transformation for constitutional governance, administrative law, and social justice.