The new vanguard of Indian law and policy—10 people to look out for

India’s legal and policy landscape is a dynamic force, shaped by constitutional ideals, game-changing rulings, and ever-evolving governance. From the bold vision of its founders to the reforms reshaping society today, law and policy don’t just set the rules—they define the nation’s social, economic, and cultural pulse. As the world changes, a new generation of leaders is taking this foundation forward—preserving its essence while adapting it to modern challenges.

Whether it’s BJP spokesperson Neoma Gupta influencing political conversations, Antaraa Vasudev strengthening civic participation through Civis, or Priyanka Khimani redefining entertainment law, these individuals are at the forefront of legal and policy evolution. From governance and legal reform to public advocacy and corporate law, they are driving conversations that ensure justice, accountability, and accessibility remain central to the system.

This list spotlights 10 influential voices shaping the future of India’s legal and policy landscape.

KARUNA NUNDY

Karuna Nundy, now a designated Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court since 2024, has been a formidable force in constitutional law and human rights. She was instrumental in drafting the anti-rape bill after the 2012 Delhi gangrape, played a key role in striking down Section 66A of the IT Act in 2015, and secured a landmark compensation victory for disability rights activist Jeeja Ghosh. Her advocacy for Bhopal Gas survivors led to improved healthcare provisions and the Supreme Court ordering the closure of toxic waste water outlets at Union Carbide’s site.

PRIYANKA KHIMANI

A powerhouse in the world of media and entertainment law, Priyanka Khimani began her career with a client list most could only dream of—her first being the legendary Lata Mangeshkar. Today, she represents some of the biggest names in the industry, from Vir Das and AP Dhillon to A.R. Rahman and Badshah, along with major production houses, music labels, and digital platforms. As the founder of Khimani & Associates, she has been instrumental in shaping legal strategies that keep pace with the ever-evolving entertainment landscape. Beyond her firm, she champions women in music through Women of Music India (WOMI), an initiative dedicated to amplifying female voices in the industry.

NEOMA GUPTA

After graduating in 2004 from the University of Leeds, Neoma Gupta joined the office of the late Arun Jaitley, gaining experience in high-profile legal cases and political campaigns. A pivotal moment in her career came during a visit to Tihar Jail, where she saw the struggles of unrepresented individuals and began providing legal aid, a commitment she continues today. Now leading her own firm, she handles prominent criminal and corporate cases while also serving as the BJP spokesperson in Delhi. Beyond law and politics, she founded Old is Bold, an initiative that empowers skilled elderly artisans by connecting them with buyers, creating a thriving community in the process.

ANTARAA VASUDEV

An experimenter in the civic-technology space, Antaraa Vasudev is the Founder of Civis, a non-profit platform which works to enable effective dialogue between Governments and citizens, on draft laws and policies. She has previously worked at the international non-profit Asia Society, where she handled policy-related public education programmes and Track-II dialogues between ministers in the Union Council of Ministers and Kevin Rudd (Former Prime Minister of Australia). She started her career understanding how technology can drive civic engagement during India's general elections. She is driven to help build trust between citizens and government through the use of technology, and is a part of Forbes' Asia 30 Under 30 Class of 2021 and an Ashoka Fellow.

MARIO DE PENHA

Mario da Penha is a historian, activist, and political strategist dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights in India. A co-petitioner in both the Section 377 and Marriage Equality cases, he has spent over two decades advocating for queer representation. While pursuing a PhD at Rutgers University on the history of hijras in precolonial India, he continues to shape policy discourse. In 2024, he was appointed as the All India Head of the Congress party’s first LGBTQIA+ vertical, making it the country’s first national party to establish such a platform. His leadership aligns with efforts to push for legal recognition of same-sex unions and broader social inclusivity.

APAR GUPTA

Apar Gupta is a leading lawyer and digital rights activist, known for his work in internet freedom, privacy, and free expression. As the co-founder and former Executive Director of the Internet Freedom Foundation, he played a key role in the SaveTheInternet.in campaign for net neutrality and was instrumental in the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision to strike down Section 66A of the IT Act. A Columbia Law School graduate, he has authored a key commentary on India’s digital laws and continues to shape public discourse on technology and democracy. His contributions have earned him recognition, including an Ashoka Fellowship and a special mention in the Agami Shamnad Basheer Citizenship Prize.

SUPRIYA SANKARAN

Supriya Sankaran is the co-founder of Agami, a non-profit driving innovation in law and justice through initiatives in alternative dispute resolution, digital courts, and open AI for law in India. Before Agami, she led Ashoka India's efforts to support leading social entrepreneurs and previously worked as a capital markets lawyer at Amarchand Mangaldas. A graduate of NALSAR University of Law, she is dedicated to reshaping legal accessibility and fostering systemic change in the justice sector.

VANDITA MORARKA

Vandita is the Founder and CEO of One Future Collective, a social enterprise dedicated to fostering feminist leadership and advancing social justice. Since 2017, OFC has nurtured 35,000 social justice leaders and indirectly impacted over 2 million people. Rooted in lived experiences, she established a hybrid community centre that has supported over 50,000 survivors of gender-based violence and individuals seeking mental health support. She serves on the board of the Internet Freedom Foundation and has been a fellow with Acumen, Change.org, WISE Emerging Leaders, and the Swedish Institute. With a background spanning political consulting, policy research, strategic philanthropy, and human rights litigation, her work focuses on gender, sexuality, disability rights, ethics, and governance.

AVANTI DURANI MITTAL

Avanti Durani Mittal is the CEO (Designate) of Setu, a legal tech platform focused on enhancing access to justice through AI-driven solutions. Setu's mission is to improve legal literacy by providing situation-specific legal information in vernacular languages, simplifying complex legal concepts for a broader audience. Prior to her role at Setu, Avanti served as a Consultant at Artha Global, where her research centred on criminal justice, policing, and governance. She has also contributed her expertise as a speaker at forums like LegalTechTalk, discussing advancements in legal technology. Her work exemplifies a commitment to integrating technology with legal frameworks to make justice more accessible and understandable.

ANISH GAWANDE

Anish Gawande, an LGBTQ+ rights activist, has made history as the national spokesperson for the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction), becoming the first openly gay individual to hold such a role in Indian politics. He is the founder of Pink List India, the country’s first archive of politicians supporting LGBTQ+ rights, and played a key role in COVID-19 relief efforts through Youth Feed India. His appointment has been widely celebrated as a step towards greater inclusivity in Indian politics, a reality he once thought impossible.

 

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