Justice Surya Kant Appointed as 53rd Chief Justice of India
The Government of India has announced the appointment of Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, following the retirement of Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai as the 52nd Chief Justice. Surya Kant will assume office on 24 November 2025.
Seniority and Term Details
Justice Gavai recommended Justice Surya Kant for the top judicial post, adhering to the convention that the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court succeeds as Chief Justice. Surya Kant is expected to serve until 9 February 2027, when he reaches the mandatory retirement age, giving him a tenure of approximately 15 months.
Career Highlights
Justice Surya Kant was elevated to the Supreme Court on 24 May 2019. Before that, he served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and as a judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court. He has been recognised for his contributions in areas including access to justice, legal services and constitutional law. The appointment marks a continuity in leadership for the country’s highest court and sets the stage for further judicial priorities under his watch.
