Justice Surya Kant to Become 53rd Chief Justice of India

New Delhi, October 2025:

• Justice Surya Kant , currently the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, has been recommended by outgoing Chief Justice B.R. Gavai as his successor. The Centre has received the formal communication, clearing the way for his appointment as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) . Justice Kant will assume office on 24 November 2025 , a day after CJI Gavai’s retirement.

Appointment and Tenure

• Under the Memorandum of Procedure , the senior-most suitable Supreme Court judge is appointed as CJI. Following this convention, Justice Surya Kant will take charge and serve a tenure of about 15 months , until 9 February 2027 .

Early Life and Career

• Born on 10 February 1962 in Hisar, Haryana , Justice Kant began his legal practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court . He became a judge in 2001 and later served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court on 24 May 2019 .

Key Judgments and Contributions

Justice Surya Kant has delivered several significant rulings, including:

• The suspension of the sedition law (Section 124A IPC) pending review.

• Directions to the Election Commission to ensure transparency in voter rolls.

• Advocacy for gender representation in bar associations.

• Involvement in the Pegasus spyware case , the PM’s Punjab security breach probe , and the One Rank-One Pension (OROP) case.

Significance

Justice Kant’s elevation comes at a time when the judiciary is focusing on transparency, digital transformation, and institutional reform . His experience in constitutional and administrative law is expected to strengthen judicial accountability and uphold public trust in the Supreme Court.

Fact File:

• 53rd Chief Justice of India

• Born: 10 February 1962, Hisar, Haryana

• Tenure: 24 November 2025 – 9 February 2027

• Predecessor: Chief Justice B.R. Gavai