Hindi Oath Sets Tone For Justice Surya Kant’s Tenure As 53rd CJI

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday administered the oath of office to Justice Surya Kant as Chief Justice of India (CJI). Rashtrapati Bhavan hosted the swearing-in ceremony.

In a notable departure from tradition, CJI Kant took the oath in Hindi and invoked God’s name during the ceremony.

Justice Kant will have a tenure of about 14 months, and he will demit office on February 9, 2027

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Union ministers, Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini, Supreme Court judges, and Chief Justices and judges from Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Brazil, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka attended the ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

On October 30, the Centre approved Justice Kant’s appointment as Chief Justice after then CJI Bhushan R Gavai recommended him.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, to be the Chief Justice of India with effect from November 24, 2025,” the Union Law and Justice Ministry had said in its notification.

Back In His Days

He began his legal practice in Hisar in 1984 and moved to Chandigarh in 1985 to practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Over the years, he represented universities, Boards, corporations, banks, and the High Court in a wide range of constitutional matters.

Additionally, the Haryana government appointed him as the youngest Advocate General on July 7, 2000, and later designated him a senior advocate in March 2001.

Justice Kant led the Himachal Pradesh High Court as Chief Justice from October 5, 2018, until his historic elevation to the Supreme Court.

He served as a member on NALSA’s Governing Body from 2007 to 2011 and now serves on several Indian Law Institute committees. Since November 2024, he has been the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee.

Also Read: After BR Gavai, Justice Surya Kant To Assume Office As 53rd Chief Justice Today