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VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Ethical duties of law professors: A study of professional conduct and moral responsibility
Authors
Dr. Rakesh Kumar
Abstract
The ethical duties of law professors occupy a central place in the
architecture of legal education, as they shape not only the intellectual
competence of future legal professionals but also their moral character and
commitment to constitutional values. This research paper undertakes a
comprehensive study of the professional conduct and moral responsibility of law
professors in India, examining their ethical obligations within the broader
framework of constitutional mandates, regulatory norms, judicial pronouncements,
and societal expectations. The study analyses the ethical dimensions of the
role of law professors as educators, researchers, mentors, and public
intellectuals. It explores how principles such as integrity, academic honesty,
impartiality, fairness, accountability, and respect for human dignity form the
ethical foundation of the teaching profession. Special emphasis is placed on
regulatory standards prescribed by the University Grants Commission, including
obligations relating to academic integrity, plagiarism control, research
ethics, and teacher-student relationships. The paper further evaluates the
moral responsibility of law professors in fostering constitutional morality,
rule of law, social justice, and ethical legal practice among students. It
critically examines ethical challenges such as abuse of authority,
discrimination, sexual harassment, bias in evaluation, conflict of interest,
and erosion of academic freedom, highlighting how deviations from ethical
conduct undermine institutional credibility and public trust in legal
education. Judicial interpretations concerning teachers conduct and service
jurisprudence are analysed to demonstrate how courts have reinforced ethical
accountability while safeguarding academic autonomy. The paper also situates
the ethical role of law professors in the context of contemporary challenges
such as contractual employment, administrative pressures, digital teaching
platforms, and performance-based evaluation systems. The study concludes that
ethical conduct is not merely a professional obligation but a moral imperative
for law professors, whose influence extends beyond classrooms into the justice
delivery system and democratic governance. Strengthening ethical awareness,
institutional mechanisms for accountability, and a culture of moral leadership
is essential for ensuring excellence, credibility, and social relevance in
Indian legal education.
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Pages:8-16
How to cite this article:
Dr. Rakesh Kumar "Ethical duties of law professors: A study of professional conduct and moral responsibility". International Journal of Advanced Education
, Vol 2, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 8-16
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