Justice Surya Kant India's 53rd Chief Justice; To assume office from November 24

In Brief

• Justice Surya Kant India's 53rd Chief Justice

• To assume office from November 24

• Significant judgments and contributions

Justice Surya Kant of the Supreme Court has been appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. He will assume office from November 24, 2025. Justice Bhushan R. Gavai's term will end on November 23, and Surya Kant will take his place.

The Ministry of Law and Justice issued an official notification to provide this information. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated on Twitter, "Using the powers granted by the Indian Constitution, the President has appointed Justice Surya Kant as the Chief Justice of India from November 24. Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to him." Justice Surya Kant will have a tenure of approximately 15 months and will retire on February 9, 2027, upon turning 65 years old.

Travel and Experience

Justice Surya Kant, born on February 10, 1962, in a middle-class family in Hisar, Haryana, began serving as a judge in the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019. Justice Surya Kant has two decades of experience on the bench and has delivered judgments on significant issues in the country's judiciary, such as the abrogation of Article 370, freedom of expression, democracy, corruption, environment, and gender equality. He was a member of the historic bench that temporarily suspended the colonial-era sedition law and ordered that no new FIRs should be registered until the government's review.

Important Judgments and Contributions

Issued directives to disclose information about 6.5 million excluded voters in Bihar to the Election Commission.

Ordered that one-third of the seats in bar associations, especially in the Supreme Court Bar Association, be reserved for women.

Ordered the appointment of a 5-member committee headed by former Justice Indu Malhotra for the security breach case during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2022 Punjab visit.

Upheld the One Rank-One Pension (OROP) scheme for defense forces as constitutional.

Heard cases to ensure equality for women army officers in obtaining permanent commissions.

Opened the path for reconsideration of the 1967 Aligarh Muslim University decision.

In the Pegasus spyware case, clarified that the state has no leeway under the guise of “national security” and appointed a committee of cyber experts. The appointment of Justice Surya Kant brings an experienced, rigorous, and dedicated judge to the leadership of India's Supreme Court. Many decisive and historic judgments are expected during his tenure, which will have a long-term impact on the country's judiciary.