Justice Surya Kant Set to Become 53rd Chief Justice of India After BR Gavai

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) B. R. Gavai has formally recommended the name of Justice Surya Kant as his successor, setting in motion the process for the appointment of the 53rd Chief Justice of India. The recommendation has been forwarded to the Union Law Ministry for approval, in line with the established convention of elevating the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court to the top post.

CJI Gavai is scheduled to retire on November 23, 2025, following which Justice Surya Kant is expected to take charge on November 24. His tenure will continue until February 9, 2027, giving him a term of nearly 14 months.

A Distinguished Judicial Journey

Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant began his legal career in 1984 at the District Court, Hisar. A year later, he shifted to Chandigarh, where he practiced before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, specialising in constitutional, service, and civil law matters.

Justice Kant’s rise through the legal ranks was swift. In July 2000, he became the Advocate General of Haryana, the youngest to hold the post in the state’s history. He was designated a Senior Advocate in March 2001, and soon after, on January 9, 2004, was elevated as a Permanent Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

On October 5, 2018, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and later elevated to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019.

During his tenure in the apex court, Justice Kant has been part of several key constitutional benches and has contributed to major judgments on civil liberties, service law reforms, and constitutional governance.

The Road Ahead

The Union Law Ministry is now expected to issue a formal notification announcing Justice Kant’s appointment as CJI after completing due procedures. Upon taking oath, he will succeed Justice Gavai and lead the judiciary during a crucial period marked by debates on judicial transparency, backlog reduction, and technology integration in courts.

Justice Kant’s elevation will also continue the line of CJIs from socially and regionally diverse backgrounds — a reflection of India’s inclusive judicial leadership.

Chief Justice Gavai, who recommended his successor as per convention, described Justice Kant as an “upright and capable jurist with deep understanding of constitutional values and the challenges of contemporary justice delivery.”

A Conventional Yet Crucial Transition

Under India’s Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), the outgoing CJI recommends the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court for appointment as his successor. The President then approves the recommendation following advice from the Prime Minister and the Law Ministry.

Justice Surya Kant’s appointment, once formalised, will mark a smooth transition at the helm of the judiciary, ensuring continuity in the Supreme Court’s leadership and its reform agenda.

🟦 Who is Justice Surya Kant?

Born: February 10, 1962 — Hisar, Haryana
Education: LL.B. from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak

Early Career:
Justice Surya Kant began his legal practice in 1984 at the District Court, Hisar. A year later, he moved to Chandigarh, where he gained recognition for handling constitutional, service, and civil law cases before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Rapid Rise:

• 2000: Appointed Advocate General of Haryana, becoming the youngest person to hold the post.

• 2001: Designated as Senior Advocate.

• 2004: Elevated as Permanent Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court.

• 2018: Took charge as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

• 2019: Elevated to the Supreme Court of India.

Key Contributions:
Justice Surya Kant has been part of several landmark constitutional benches and major rulings concerning civil liberties, service law reforms, and constitutional governance. He is regarded as a progressive jurist with a balanced and empathetic approach to justice.

Judicial Philosophy:
Known for his practical and humanistic outlook, he believes that “Justice must not remain confined to the books of law, but must reach the most vulnerable in society.”

Next CJI:
He is set to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24, 2025, succeeding CJI B. R. Gavai, and will serve until February 9, 2027.