New Delhi, Oct 27: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R. Gavai has recommended Justice Surya Kant as his successor, setting the stage for Justice Kant to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI).
The recommendation, made in response to a request from the Law Ministry, comes ahead of Justice Gavai’s retirement on November 23. Justice Surya Kant, currently the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court and next in line by seniority, will assume charge as the new CJI following the government’s formal notification.
Justice Kant is expected to take oath on November 24 and serve until February 9, 2027, giving him a tenure of approximately 14 months at the helm of the judiciary. Justice Gavai had assumed office as the 52nd Chief Justice of India in May 2025.
As per established convention, the Law Ministry seeks the recommendation of the outgoing Chief Justice about a month before retirement. The Chief Justice, in turn, recommends the name of the next senior-most judge deemed fit for the position. This process follows the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) governing appointments and transfers within the higher judiciary.
With CJI Gavai’s recommendation now submitted, the Centre is expected to issue a notification confirming Justice Surya Kant’s appointment shortly.
Born on February 10, 1962, in a middle-class family in Haryana, Justice Surya Kant graduated from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, in 1981 and earned his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984.
He began his legal career at the District Court in Hisar before moving to Chandigarh in 1985 to practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Over the years, he developed expertise in constitutional, service, and civil law, representing various universities, corporations, banks, boards, and even the High Court itself.
Justice Kant made history by becoming the youngest Advocate General of Haryana on July 7, 2000, and was designated a Senior Advocate in March 2001. He served 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. Justice Kant has also been associated with several judicial and legal service bodies, including two terms as a member of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) from 2007 to 2011.
Currently, he chairs the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, a position he has held since November 12, 2024. Justice Kant is due to retire from the Supreme Court on February 9, 2027.
