The preamble to the Indian Constitution envisages a ‘sovereign, secular, socialist, democratic, republic’ and its 400 odd articles and 12 Schedules work together, and sometimes in contradiction, to achieve these five goals. This chapter examines three important constitutional themes essential to the stable and inclusive growth of the nation today, and the Supreme Court’s role in giving them meaning and effect. The chapter begins by addressing specifically the Supreme Court’s role in contributing to, and shaping, a rights-based dialogue of citizen-State interaction, and throwing light on the Court’s role in strengthening the foundations of this rights-based discourse. Subsequently, the chapter explores the federal structure of the Constitution and how it attempts, through this design, to bring about a sound system of Centre-State relations. Finally, the chapter analyses the importance of the self-preservation of India’s democratic polity through the separation of powers, in providing a sound foundation for India’s future growth. © Knut A. Jacobsen.