New Delhi: Justice Surya Kant has been appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI), the President of India announced on Thursday. He will assume office on November 24, 2025, following the retirement of Justice BR Gavai, who demits office on November 23.
Justice Surya Kant will serve as the CJI for a tenure of nearly 15 months, until February 9, 2027, when he turns 65, the age of superannuation for judges of the Supreme Court.
Announcing the appointment on social media platform X, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said:
“In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, as the Chief Justice of India with effect from 24th November, 2025. I convey my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to him.”
Who Is Justice Surya Kant?
Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant completed his graduation from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, in 1981, and went on to earn his LLB from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984. He began practicing law the same year at the District Court in Hisar.
According to the Supreme Court of India website, Justice Surya Kant achieved a historic milestone on July 7, 2000, when he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana.
He was designated a Senior Advocate in March 2001 and served as Advocate General, Haryana until his elevation as a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004.
He was later nominated as a Member of the Governing Body of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on February 23, 2007, serving two consecutive terms until February 22, 2011.
Elevation to the Supreme Court and Key Judgments
Justice Surya Kant was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019.
During his tenure, he was part of several landmark judgments, including the bench that kept the colonial-era sedition law in abeyance, directing that no new FIRs be filed under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code until the government completed its review of the provision.
He also played a significant role in urging the Election Commission of India (ECI) to disclose details of 65 lakh excluded voters in Bihar, strengthening the principles of transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Legacy and Future Outlook
Justice Surya Kant’s appointment marks the continuation of a legacy of judicial independence and reformist interpretation in the Supreme Court. Known for his balanced judgments and commitment to constitutional values, his tenure is expected to focus on issues of judicial transparency, technology in courts, and access to justice.
His leadership will likely coincide with several crucial constitutional matters pending before the apex court, making his tenure a defining one for India’s judicial landscape.