Once he assumes office, he will become the first Chief Justice of India from Haryana. (Photo: X/ani_digital)
Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai has recommended Justice Suryakant as his successor to the Union government for the post of the next Chief Justice of India (CJI). The recommendation marks CJI Gavai’s final administrative act before his retirement on November 23.
Justice Surya Kant will take oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India after the government issues the official notification. He will succeed Justice Bhushan R Gavai, who took charge as the 52nd CJI in May 2025.
Justice Surya Kant will serve as CJI until February 9, 2027. His tenure will last around 14 months. He was appointed as a Supreme Court judge on May 24, 2019. Once he assumes office, he will become the first Chief Justice of India from Haryana.
The retirement age of Supreme Court judges is 65 years. Justice Surya Kant will reach this age in February 2027, marking the end of his judicial career.
In his statement to Hindustan Times, Chief Justice Gavai expressed confidence in Justice Surya Kant’s leadership.
“Justice Kant is suited and competent in all aspects to take the helm,” Gavai said, adding that his successor “will prove to be an asset to the institution as its head.”
CJI Gavai also shared personal reflections on their similar life experiences. He said, “Like me, Justice Kant also belongs to the class in society that has seen struggles at every stage in life, which makes me confident that he would be best suited to understand the pain and sufferings of those who need the judiciary to protect their rights.”
Justice Surya Kant’s appointment marks a new chapter in the history of the Indian judiciary. Known for his balanced judgments and deep understanding of social justice, Justice Kant has served in several key judicial positions before his elevation to the Supreme Court.
He started his judicial career as an advocate and later became a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He also served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019.
As the next Chief Justice, Justice Kant is expected to focus on improving transparency, speeding up case disposal, and strengthening access to justice for all. His leadership will shape the judiciary in the coming year, especially as India continues to focus on judicial reforms and digital transformation in courts.
