The Government of India has officially announced the appointment of Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI). Surya Kant will assume charge on November 24, 2025, following the retirement of the current CJI, Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai, on November 23.
Justice Gavai had formally recommended Justice Surya Kant as his successor on October 28, 2025, in accordance with the longstanding convention of seniority in the Supreme Court. Following the recommendation, the Centre cleared the appointment, and the Union Law Ministry published the official notification, with President Droupadi Murmu designating him as the next Chief Justice of India.
Justice Surya Kant’s tenure as CJI is expected to continue until February 9, 2027, when he reaches the Supreme Court’s mandatory retirement age of 65. Surya Kant has been serving as a Judge of the Supreme Court since May 24, 2019, and has built a strong reputation for his judgments on constitutional rights, environmental law, and prison reforms.
Born on February 10, 1962, in Petwar village, Hisar district, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant holds an LL.B from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, and an LL.M (First Class First) from Kurukshetra University. His legal journey began in Haryana, where he was appointed Advocate General in July 2000.
Surya Kant was later elevated as a Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004, and went on to serve as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court from October 5, 2018, to May 23, 2019. The next day, he took oath as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India, marking another milestone in his distinguished judicial career.
Justice Surya Kant’s upcoming tenure as Chief Justice is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Indian judiciary, with focus areas likely including judicial efficiency, rights protection, and institutional reform.
