Staying updated with authoritative legal commentaries is essential for every lawyer aiming to refine their reasoning and stay ahead of evolving laws. This list highlights the top 10 must-read commentaries of 2025 that offer deep insights, practical guidance, and contemporary perspectives across core legal subjects.
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023: A Commentary by J.K. Verma explains the major changes introduced by the BNSS, which replaces the CrPC with 531 updated provisions. It highlights key reforms such as e-FIRs, mandatory and video-recorded victim statements, enhanced victim rights, and expanded police powers, including seizure of immovable property. Expert prefatory notes and a comparative CrPC–BNSS table aid deeper understanding. The book is a concise, valuable guide for practitioners, students, and anyone studying the new criminal procedure law.
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023: A Commentary by J.K. Verma explains the updated evidence law that replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, reflecting modern sociological and technological advancements. The new Act contains 170 sections, with major reforms such as recognising electronic records as primary evidence and allowing video-conference-based testimonies. It emphasises full digitalisation of the criminal process, including videographed search and seizure. Expert prefatory notes and a comparative table make this book an essential guide for practitioners, students, and anyone studying India’s new law of evidence
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023: A Commentary by J.K. Verma explains the modern penal law that replaces the IPC, shedding its colonial framework to reflect contemporary social and scientific realities. The new BNS has 358 sections, with major structural changes, consolidated definitions, new offences (including organised crime, terrorism, and environmental harm), and updated punishments. It introduces terms like child and transgender, adds community service for certain offences, and removes provisions such as adultery and unnatural sex. Supported by expert prefatory notes and a comparative table, the book is an essential guide to India’s reformed law on offences and penalties.
Civil Procedure (CPC)
Civil Procedure (CPC) by C.K. Takwani offers a clear and systematic explanation of the principles of civil procedure and limitation law in India. The latest edition includes updated legislation, extensive Supreme Court and High Court case law, and expanded discussions on jurisdiction, pleadings, trial processes, and Commercial Courts, along with a new section on the Mediation Act, 2023. Its topic-wise approach, lucid language, and rich references make complex concepts easy to understand. Though designed for students and young lawyers, it remains a trusted reference for practitioners and judges across the country.
Indian Constitutional Law
M.P. Jain’s Indian Constitutional Law (Ninth Edition) is a comprehensive and authoritative treatment of Indian constitutional doctrine, blending foundational principles with contemporary developments. It offers clear analysis of key themes such as transformative constitutionalism, constitutional morality, federalism, privacy, discrimination, and decolonisation of laws, along with updated commentary on major amendments and Supreme Court rulings, including those on electoral bonds, Article 370, and same-sex marriage. Rich in scholarship and systematic in presentation, it remains an essential reference for judges, lawyers, students, policymakers, and scholars of public law.
Income Tax Act, 2025
Income Tax Act, 2025 by Bharat is a compact and up-to-date reference guide presenting the full text of the Income Tax Act as amended for the assessment year 2025–26. It incorporates all recent legislative changes, notifications, and circulars, making it a reliable resource for tax professionals, students, and practitioners. Clear formatting, easy navigation, and updated provisions make it an essential handbook for understanding and applying current income-tax law.
Uniform Civil Code in India: Legal and Social Implications
This book provides a clear and balanced overview of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) debate, explaining its links to personal laws, equality, secularism, gender justice, and national integration. Drawing on diverse scholarly papers from an ICFAI Law School seminar, it brings multiple ideological and disciplinary perspectives to key constitutional issues, including the interplay of Articles 14, 25, and 44. With its insightful analysis of minority rights, gender justice, and comparative frameworks, the volume encourages nuanced dialogue on one of India’s most sensitive legal questions. It is an essential resource for academics, policymakers, legal practitioners, and students of constitutional law.
V N Shukla’s Constitution of India
V.N. Shukla’s Constitution of India remains one of the most authoritative and respected academic texts on Indian constitutional law. Thoroughly revised by Prof. (Dr.) Mahendra Pal Singh, the latest edition incorporates major constitutional amendments and significant Supreme Court rulings, including those on passive euthanasia and LGBTQI+ rights. Frequently cited in courts and widely used in universities, it serves as an ideal reference for students, teachers, practitioners, judges, and anyone seeking a clear and reliable understanding of the Constitution.
The Indian Contract Act, 1872
Pollock & Mulla: The Indian Contract Act, 1872 remains the most authoritative and comprehensive commentary on contract law, marking over 120 years of scholarly excellence. The latest edition offers thorough, section-wise analysis with updates on major judicial and legislative developments, including the 2023 amendment to Section 28 and several significant Supreme Court and High Court rulings. Written in a clear, analytical style that makes complex principles accessible, it is an indispensable reference for judges, lawyers, in-house counsel, academics, and students alike.
Commentary on Law of Arms and Explosives
Commentary on Law of Arms and Explosives: As per New Criminal Laws Perspectives by Y.P. Bhagat & Kumar Keshav offers a clear, authoritative, and up-to-date examination of India’s legal framework on arms and explosives. It incorporates recent legislative reforms and judicial rulings, explains regulatory requirements, offences, punishments, and defences, and provides practical guidance on investigation, prosecution, and adjudication. Designed for practitioners, students, policymakers, and law-enforcement officials, it serves as both a theoretical foundation and an application-oriented handbook on this specialised area of law.
