For many of us, constitutional literacy begins and ends with school textbooks- something we memorize, study for exams, and then forget. But what if the Constitution wasn’t just a subject we read about, but something we lived and experienced every day?

In recent years, constitutional literacy has evolved far beyond rote memorization. Once confined to textbooks and classroom lectures, it has become an immersive experience for those who engage with it deeply. But despite this shift, traditional teaching methods have often lagged behind. Meanwhile, the social sector has pioneered creative ways to bring constitutional values to life- through music, theater, games, and hands-on activities. These efforts have turned constitutional literacy into something young people can practice, not just study.

At ComMutiny-The Youth Collective, we’ve taken constitutional literacy to geographies across 20 states, supported by over 150 organizations, reaching 26,000+ young people. Through our two-month hands-on experiential program on the Constitution, we’ve witnessed a remarkable 25% average increase in their understanding of it.

Take Khushbu Shaw from Kolkata, who spent a day living on a Below Poverty Line budget. “I never knew how difficult it was to live on so little. It opened my eyes to the inequalities around me,” she said. This experience deepened her empathy and reinforced her commitment to social justice, aligning with the constitutional value of equality in Article 14. She later went on to establish a Legal Aid Cell for women- reflecting the duty to promote harmony and renounce practices harmful to women.

In Mumbai, Ujma Shaikh and Pari Yadav focused on water pollution, educating school children about its impact. “We saw firsthand how pollution affects everything. It made us realize the importance of taking care of our environment,” Ujma said. Similarly, Arpita Kumari from Bihar grew more connected to nature after the program. “I started seeing trees as life-givers, and we have a responsibility to protect them,” she explained. Their efforts align with the duty to protect natural resources in Article 51A(g).

In Madhya Pradesh, Rupa Patel used her knowledge of Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) to convince her family to let her continue her education instead of marrying early. “I realized I had the right to decide my own path,” she said. By asserting her right to education, she upheld the constitutional values of fraternity and the duty to renounce practices harmful to women’s dignity.

Meanwhile, Anivesha Srivastava from Lucknow tackled the challenge of creating products from waste and learning a new language. “It wasn’t easy, but I learned to think differently. It showed me the value of critical thinking,” Anivesha reflected. Her actions embody the duty to develop scientific temper and a spirit of inquiry (Article 51A(h)).

These stories show how experiential learning empowers individuals to live out their constitutional rights and duties. The Constitution isn’t just a legal document- it’s a guide for living with purpose, urging us to secure our rights, fulfill our duties, and strive for equality, justice, and fraternity.

This approach to constitutional literacy aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes experiential learning, critical thinking, and fostering constitutional and citizenship values. We are enabling a few thousand young people to live the Constitution in their everyday lives, but it isn’t enough. 

So the question remains: Can we reimagine how we teach the Constitution, making it a lived experience for all?

The story is written by Ankush Thakur, Program Coordinator, ComMutiny