Constituting Pregnancy Rights Workshop India | NLSIU Event Highlights

Learn about the constituting pregnancy rights workshop India hosted by NLSIU and University of Bristol, focusing on rights, reproduction, and constitutional law.

Introduction

In August 2025, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, in collaboration with the University of Bristol, organized an event that is being described as one of the most significant academic gatherings of the year. Titled “Constituting Pregnancy: Rights, Reproduction and the Indian Constitution”, the workshop placed critical issues of gender justice and reproductive autonomy under the legal spotlight. More than just an academic discussion, the constituting pregnancy rights workshop India addressed urgent questions around bodily autonomy, reproductive health, and constitutional protections in the Indian legal framework.

The workshop, held under the auspices of the M.K. Nambyar Chair on Constitutional Law, featured presentations from renowned legal scholars, including Dr. Gauri Pillai, whose forthcoming Cambridge University Press monograph formed the backbone of the discussions.

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A Workshop with Wide-Ranging Significance

The event was not confined to academic debate. It actively sought to spark dialogue on how India’s constitutional jurisprudence treats reproductive rights and the recognition of pregnancy as a constitutional concern. With judges, lawyers, professors, and researchers in attendance, the pregnancy rights and Indian constitution event moved beyond abstract theory into real-world implications.

The program emphasized issues such as:

1. How constitutional interpretation shapes access to reproductive healthcare.
2. The tension between individual rights and societal expectations around motherhood.
3. Comparative insights from other legal systems on reproductive justice.
4. The urgent need for clarity on abortion rights and pregnancy-related constitutional claims.

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Expert Insights and Academic Contributions

Dr. Gauri Pillai, Assistant Professor at NLSIU and a scholar of constitutional law and reproductive rights, presented extracts from her monograph to guide the workshop. The book, set to be published by Cambridge University Press, will delve deeply into how India’s constitutional framework both supports and limits reproductive freedom.

Her scholarship inspired critical discussions at the reproductive justice workshop NLSIU 2025, where experts debated questions such as:

• Should pregnancy-related decisions fall strictly within the ambit of personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21?
• Can constitutional law bridge the gap between healthcare access and gender equality in India?
• How should courts balance medical regulation with the rights of pregnant individuals?

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Linking Law, Policy, and Social Reality

The workshop highlighted that laws concerning pregnancy are never enacted in isolation. They are tied to socio-economic realities, cultural practices, and healthcare accessibility. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 45% of global pregnancies are unintended, and unsafe abortions continue to pose serious health risks, especially in developing countries.

In India, despite the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Act, 2021, barriers remain—particularly for marginalized women and adolescents. Discussions at the rights reproduction Indian constitutional law workshop explored how constitutional guarantees could serve as a stronger foundation for equitable reproductive rights policies.

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Why This Workshop Matters Now

The timing of the workshop is crucial. India is currently engaged in wider debates on women’s rights, gender equality, and healthcare reforms. With the Supreme Court recently acknowledging marital rape within the framework of sexual violence, reproductive rights have naturally come under renewed focus.

By framing pregnancy not only as a private issue but also a constitutional matter, the constituting pregnancy rights workshop India opened a vital space for rethinking the state’s role in safeguarding reproductive autonomy.

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Broader Educational Value

For students and academicians, the workshop was more than an event. It served as a resource-rich learning opportunity that connected theory with practice.

• Students preparing for constitutional law exams can review syllabus material.
• Aspirants seeking concise study tools may download free NCERT PDFs and explore NCERT courses.
• For deeper engagement, learners can consult curated notes and attempt practice MCQs.

This integration of academic events with accessible resources reflects how law schools are engaging broader audiences.

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External Relevance and Institutional Ties

International collaborations such as this partnership with the University of Bristol lend weight to India’s role in global legal discourse. For institutions and schools seeking digital presence in education, services like Mart India Infotech illustrate how technology and communication can amplify visibility.

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Dr. Gauri Pillai and the Monograph

A key attraction of the event was the preview of Dr. Gauri Pillai constituting pregnancy monograph. Scholars expect the book to redefine academic debates on reproductive justice by closely examining constitutional case law and judicial approaches in India.

Legal experts present praised Dr. Pillai’s research as a bridge between abstract constitutional theory and urgent social realities. One attendee noted, “Her work ensures that constitutional law is not confined to the courtroom but resonates in the lived experiences of women.”

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Conclusion

The constituting pregnancy rights workshop India was not merely another academic seminar. It was a milestone in ongoing debates about constitutional protections, reproductive justice, and gender equality. By bringing together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, the event highlighted the urgent need to rethink how law and society address pregnancy.

Such initiatives reaffirm the importance of higher education institutions like NLSIU in advancing democratic values. They also provide valuable learning material for students and researchers who continue to grapple with complex intersections of law, gender, and health.

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FAQs

Q1. What was the focus of the constituting pregnancy rights workshop India?
The workshop examined pregnancy, reproduction, and constitutional law in India, emphasizing rights and reproductive justice.

Q2. Who organized the pregnancy rights and Indian constitution event?
It was jointly organized by NLSIU, Bengaluru, and the University of Bristol under the M.K. Nambyar Chair on Constitutional Law.

Q3. Who is Dr. Gauri Pillai and why was her work central to this workshop?
Dr. Gauri Pillai is an Assistant Professor at NLSIU. Her forthcoming monograph on constituting pregnancy guided the workshop discussions.

Q4. Why is the reproductive justice workshop NLSIU 2025 important for students?
It connects academic research to practical issues of reproductive health, offering insights useful for law and policy studies.

Q5. What issues did the rights reproduction Indian constitutional law workshop cover?
It addressed abortion rights, reproductive healthcare access, and constitutional interpretation.

Q6. How does India’s constitution safeguard reproductive rights?
Through Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), interpreted by courts to include autonomy over pregnancy decisions.

Q7. What challenges remain despite the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act?
Marginalized women and adolescents still face barriers in accessing safe and legal abortion services.

Q8. How can students benefit from discussions held at such workshops?
By integrating resources like notes and current affairs updates into their preparation.

Q9. What role does the University of Bristol play in this collaboration?
It co-hosts the event and fosters international academic exchange on constitutional law and reproductive rights.

Q10. What is unique about Dr. Gauri Pillai constituting pregnancy monograph?
It provides a comprehensive analysis of constitutional jurisprudence on pregnancy and reproductive rights in India.