Justice Surya Kant Takes Oath As The 53rd Chief Justice Of India
Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday, marking the beginning of his 14-month tenure at the helm of the country’s judiciary.
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan, a day after outgoing CJI Justice Bhushan R. Gavai demitted office upon turning 65.
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Shri Justice Surya Kant sworn in as the Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan. pic.twitter.com/M4nFbPjp11
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 24, 2025
Justice Surya Kant’s elevation followed the recommendation made by the retiring Chief Justice, as per the procedure laid down under Article 124(2) of the Constitution. His term as CJI will run until February 9, 2027.
Born on February 10, 1962, in a middle-class family in Haryana, Justice Surya Kant began his legal career in Hisar in 1984. He later shifted to Chandigarh, where he built a strong practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He represented several major institutions, including universities, corporations, banks, and even the High Court.
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Justice Kant served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court from October 2018. In May 2019, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India.
Since November 2024, he has been the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, contributing to legal aid and access to justice initiatives.
After taking the oath, Justice Kant highlighted the urgent need to strengthen alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in the country. He emphasised the importance of mediation, stating that it would be implemented more effectively to ease the burden of millions of pending cases.
The Centre had cleared his appointment on October 30. The Law Ministry’s notification stated that the President was pleased to appoint Justice Surya Kant as the next CJI, effective from November 24, 2025.
