Justice Surya Kant Appointed Next Chief Justice Of India; Set For Nearly 15-Month Tenure

Justice Surya Kant on Thursday has been appointed as the Chief Justice of India by the President of India, with effect from Nov. 24. He will be taking over Justice BR Gavai's vacated seat, who will demit office on Nov. 23.

Justice Surya Kant will have a term till Feb. 9, 2027. He will serve as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, with a tenure of nearly 15 months, until February 9, 2027, when he turns 65.

Announcing the appointment on X, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said:

“In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, as the Chief Justice of India with effect from 24th November, 2025. I convey my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to him.”

Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant graduated from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar in 1981, and completed his LLB from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984. He began his legal career the same year at the District Court in Hisar.

According to the Supreme Court of India website, Justice Surya Kant earned distinction of being appointed the youngest Advocate General of Haryana on July 7, 2000.

“Designated as Senior Advocate in March, 2001. Held the office of Advocate General, Haryana till his elevation as a permanent Judge to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 09, 2004. Was nominated as a Member of the Governing Body of National Legal Services Authority on February 23, 2007 for two consecutive terms till February 22, 2011.”

He was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.

During his tenure at the apex court, Justice Surya Kant was part of the landmark bench that kept the colonial-era sedition law in abeyance, directing that no new FIRs be filed under the provision until the government completed its review.

He also pushed the Election Commission to disclose details of 65 lakh excluded voters in Bihar.