Justice Surya Kant To Take Oath As 53rd Chief Justice Of India On 24 November 2025

The Union government on Thursday announced the appointment of Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI).

The appointment will take effect from 24 November 2025, following the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice, Justice BR Gavai, on 23 November 2025.

A notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice stated, “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.”

This appointment follows the established convention of elevating the senior-most Supreme Court judge to the position of CJI, a recommendation earlier made by Justice Gavai to the Union government.

Distinguished Judicial Career

Justice Surya Kant will be the 53rd Chief Justice of India, serving a tenure of about 14 months, until his retirement on 9 February 2027.

Born on 10 February 1962 in a middle-class family in Haryana, Justice Kant graduated from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, in 1981 and earned his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984.

He began practising law in Hisar before moving to Chandigarh in 1985 to appear before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where he built a strong reputation for handling constitutional, service, and civil matters.

Over the years, he represented numerous institutions, including universities, corporations, and public bodies, as well as the High Court itself.

Justice Surya Kant’s career ascended remarkably after he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana on 7 July 2000, serving the post with distinction.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court designated him as a Senior Advocate in March 2001, acknowledging his growing prominence in the legal fraternity.

The judiciary elevated him as a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on 9 January 2004.

In October 2018, he assumed charge as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and continued in that role until the Supreme Court elevated him on 24 May 2019.

Contributions Beyond the Bench

Justice Kant has actively contributed to several judicial and legal institutions.

He served as a member of the Governing Body of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) for two consecutive terms between 2007 and 2011, promoting access to justice and legal aid across India.

Currently, he serves on various committees of the Indian Law Institute, a premier research body under the Supreme Court of India.

Since November 2024, Justice Kant has also chaired the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, reinforcing his commitment to ensuring equitable justice.

Justice Surya Kant’s appointment as the Chief Justice of India marks a continuation of integrity, reform, and accessibility within the judiciary.

His tenure is expected to uphold constitutional values and advance the cause of legal empowerment in the country.

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