Justice Surya Kant Appointed 53rd Chief Justice of India

Justice Surya Kant to Assume Office as India's 53rd Chief Justice

Justice Surya Kant has been officially appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI), with his tenure set to commence on November 24, 2025. The appointment was announced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, following the recommendation from outgoing CJI Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai. Justice Kant will succeed Justice Gavai, who is scheduled to demit office on November 23, 2025.

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, formally made the appointment, exercising powers conferred by the Constitution of India. Justice Kant is expected to serve for approximately 14 to 16 months, with his retirement slated for February 9, 2027, upon reaching the age of 65 years.

A Distinguished Legal Career

Born on February 10, 1962, in Petwar village, Hisar district, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant's journey to the apex court is marked by a series of significant achievements. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Law from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984, and later secured a Master's degree in Law with First Class First honors from Kurukshetra University in 2011.

His legal career began at the District Court in Hisar in 1984, before he moved to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1985, where he specialized in Constitutional, Service, and Civil matters. Notably, he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana on July 7, 2000, at the age of 38, and was designated as a Senior Advocate in March 2001.

Judicial Milestones and Contributions

Justice Kant's judicial career commenced with his elevation as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004. He then served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court from October 5, 2018, before being elevated to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019.

Throughout his tenure, Justice Kant has been recognized for his strong legal acumen and deep understanding of social issues. He has contributed to numerous landmark rulings, including the 2023 verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370. Furthermore, he has been actively involved with the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), serving on its Governing Body and currently as its Executive Chairman since May 2025.

Significance of the Appointment

Justice Surya Kant's appointment holds particular significance as he will be the first individual from Haryana to hold the country's highest judicial office. His elevation follows the established convention of appointing the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court to the position of Chief Justice, ensuring continuity and stability within the Indian judiciary.