Justice Surya Kant has been appointed as 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI), succeeding Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna (B.R.) Gavai. The appointment made under Article 124(2) of Constitution of India, follows the President’s approval, as notified by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice.
He will assume office as CJI on 24 November 2025 and will serve till 10 February 2027, marking a 15-month tenure. Justice Surya Kant will be the first-ever Chief Justice of India from Haryana.
Key Details
| Particulars | Details |
| Name | Justice Surya Kant |
| Position | 53rd Chief Justice of India |
| Assumes Office | 24 November 2025 |
| Tenure Ends | 10 February 2027 |
| Total Tenure | ~15 months |
| Predecessor | Justice B.R. Gavai |
| Born | 10 February 1962, Petwar village, Hisar district, Haryana |
| Education | LL.B. from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak (1984); LL.M. (First Class First, 2011) |
| Specialization | Constitutional, Service, and Civil Law |
| First CJI from | Haryana |
| Professional Background | First-generation lawyer; known for forthright observations and balanced judgments. |
Career Timeline
- 1984: Completed Law Degree from MDU, Rohtak.
- 1985: Began practice at Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh.
- 2000: Became Advocate General of Haryana at age 38 — the youngest in the state’s history.
- 2004: Elevated as Judge, Punjab & Haryana High Court.
- 2018: Appointed Chief Justice, Himachal Pradesh High Court (5 October 2018).
- 2019: Elevated to the Supreme Court of India (24 May 2019).
- 2025: Serving as Executive Chairman, NALSA (National Legal Services Authority).
Judicial Philosophy & Focus Areas
Justice Surya Kant is known for his:
- Commitment to constitutional morality and rule of law.
- Empathy towards marginalized sections and access to justice.
- Administrative efficiency and judicial reforms.
- Emphasis on judicial accessibility, transparency, and consistency in constitutional interpretation.
Notable Judgments & Contributions
Article 370 Case (2023):
- Part of the five-judge Constitutional Bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370 (special status of Jammu & Kashmir).
Minority Status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU):
- Member of the bench deciding on AMU’s minority status, a matter of significant constitutional interpretation.
Election Commission Oversight:
- Headed a bench supervising the Special Intensive Revision exercise in Bihar — a key electoral integrity case.
Advocacy for Judicial Reforms:
- Known for promoting judicial infrastructure, faster case disposal, and digitization of courts.
Associations and Contributions
National Legal Services Authority (NALSA):
- Governing Body Member (2007–2011).
- Executive Chairman (since May 2025), promoting legal aid accessibility nationwide.
Academia:
- Completed Master’s in Law (LL.M.) in 2011 with First Class First distinction.
- Advocates for blending legal education with judicial service reform.
Chief Justice of India (CJI)
- Head of the Indian Judiciary and Supreme Court of India.
- Responsible for:
- Judicial administration and case allocation.
- Heading the collegium system for judicial appointments.
- Upholding constitutional values and independence of judiciary.
Constitutional Framework: Appointment of Chief Justice of India
Article 124(2) – Appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court: “Every Judge of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal after consultation with such Judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Courts as the President may deem necessary.”
Process of Appointment
Initiation by Law Minister:
- About one month before the incumbent CJI’s retirement, the Union Law Minister seeks the recommendation of the outgoing CJI.
Recommendation by Outgoing CJI:
- The senior-most judge of the Supreme Court (based on service and integrity) is recommended.
Transmission of Recommendation:
- The Law Minister forwards the recommendation to the Prime Minister, who advises the President.
Appointment by the President:
- The President of India formally appoints the new CJI by warrant under the seal of the President.
Oath Ceremony:
- The appointed CJI takes oath before the President of India.
Qualification Criteria (Article 124)
A person is qualified to be appointed as a Supreme Court Judge (including CJI) if they:
- Are a citizen of India.
- Have been a High Court Judge for at least 5 years, or
- Have been an Advocate of a High Court for at least 10 years, or
- Are a distinguished jurist, in the President’s opinion.
Tenure and Removal
- The CJI holds office till the age of 65 years.
- Can only be removed by the President on grounds of proved misbehavior or incapacity, through a special majority resolution by both Houses of Parliament (as per Article 124(4)).
Key Principles Governing Appointment
- Seniority and Merit: Senior-most eligible judge is appointed to maintain institutional integrity.
- Consultative Process: Ensures balance between executive and judiciary.
- Executive Approval: President acts on advice of the Council of Ministers.
- Judicial Independence: Reinforced through convention, not codified law.
Key Facts
| Topic | Key Facts |
| First CJI of India | Justice H.J. Kania (1950–1951) |
| First Woman CJI (Designate) | Justice Leila Seth (never became CJI but first woman CJ of HC); India yet to have a woman CJI |
| Longest Serving CJI | Justice Y.V. Chandrachud (1978–1985) |
| Shortest Tenure | Justice Kamal Narain Singh (21 days in 1991) |
| Current CJI before Surya Kant (as of Nov 2025) | Justice B.R. Gavai |
| Article Governing SC Judges | Article 124 (2) of the Constitution |
| Maximum Age for SC Judge | 65 years |
| CJI’s Oath Administered by | President of India |