Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Wednesday, marking a historic moment in the Indian judiciary. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office at a ceremonial event held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Justice Gavai becomes the first Buddhist and only the second member from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community to assume the nation’s highest judicial position, following Justice K.G. Balakrishnan (2007–2010). His term as CJI will run until November 23, 2025.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar
- Home Minister Amit Shah
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
- Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal
- Former President Ram Nath Kovind
- Sitting and former Supreme Court and High Court judges, along with leading legal experts and government officials.
Justice Gavai succeeded Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who retired a day earlier. His appointment was formally recommended by Justice Khanna on April 20, 2025, and later confirmed by an official government notification. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal shared the news on social media, calling it a proud moment under the Constitution of India.
Background and Career Highlights:
- Born: November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra
- Bar Enrollment: March 16, 1985
- Initially trained under Raja S. Bhonsale, former Advocate General and High Court Judge
- Practiced at Bombay High Court (Nagpur Bench), specializing in Constitutional and Administrative Law
- Served as Standing Counsel for multiple public institutions including Amravati University
- Appointed Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor in 1992
- Became Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor in 2000
- Elevated to Bombay High Court as Additional Judge in 2003 and Permanent Judge in 2005
- Served across benches in Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji
- Appointed as Supreme Court Judge on May 24, 2019
Justice Gavai’s extensive experience in Constitutional law and governance makes him a fitting choice for the apex position. His elevation reflects a step forward for inclusivity in the judiciary, aligning with India’s democratic and constitutional values.
His leadership comes at a time of heightened public interest in judicial accountability, transparency, and efficiency. With just over six months in the role, expectations are high for him to leave a strong and inclusive legacy.