Justice Surya Kant Recommended as Next Chief Justice of India, to Assume Office on November 24

New Delhi, Oct 2025 : Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R. Gavai has formally recommended the name of Justice Surya Kant as his successor to the Central government, paving the way for Justice Kant to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI).

The recommendation follows the customary procedure initiated by the Union Law Ministry, which had sought CJI Gavai’s advice regarding his successor ahead of his retirement on November 23. Justice Surya Kant, currently the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, is next in line by seniority and will assume charge on November 24, a day after Justice Gavai demits office.

Once the Centre issues the official notification, Justice Kant will be sworn in as the new Chief Justice of India. His tenure will extend until February 9, 2027, giving him approximately 14 months at the helm of the Indian judiciary.

Justice Gavai, who took charge as the 52nd Chief Justice of India in May 2025, followed the established Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) that governs appointments to the post of CJI. As per convention, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court deemed fit to hold the position is recommended for the top judicial office.

Distinguished Legal Career

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

He began his legal practice at the District Court in Hisar the same year and shifted to Chandigarh in 1985 to practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Over the years, he established himself as a leading lawyer specializing in constitutional, service, and civil law, representing several universities, boards, corporations, banks, and even the High Court itself.

Justice Kant’s career witnessed a major milestone on July 7, 2000, when he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana. He was designated a Senior Advocate in March 2001 and continued to serve as Advocate General until his elevation as a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004.

He later served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court from October 5, 2018, before being elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.

Contributions and Roles

Justice Kant has also been associated with several judicial and legal reform bodies. He served as a member of the Governing Body of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) for two consecutive terms between 2007 and 2011 and continues to be part of multiple committees of the Indian Law Institute (ILI) — a deemed university functioning under the Supreme Court.

Since November 12, 2024, Justice Kant has been serving as the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, contributing to initiatives aimed at promoting access to justice and legal aid.

With his elevation, Justice Surya Kant is set to lead the judiciary through a crucial phase of reforms, digitization, and efforts to strengthen judicial infrastructure across India.