The Centre has cleared the appointment of Supreme Court Judge Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India. He will take over the top post after incumbent CJI BR Gavai retires on November 23, 2025.
The Central Government on Thursday officially approved the appointment of Supreme Court Judge Justice Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI). The announcement was made by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on X (formerly Twitter).
Sharing the news, the Law Minister wrote,
“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.”
This appointment follows the recommendation made by the present Chief Justice of India, Justice BR Gavai, who had written to the Union Law Ministry earlier this week suggesting Justice Surya Kant as his successor.
Justice Gavai is set to retire on November 23, 2025, and Justice Kant will assume charge the next day.
Justice Surya Kant was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019, and his tenure at the apex court will continue till February 9, 2027.
This means he will serve as the Chief Justice of India for more than 14 months, making his term a fairly long one compared to recent CJIs.
Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant comes from a middle-class family. He completed his graduation from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar in 1981, and later obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Law in 1984 from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak.
Justice Kant began his legal career in 1984 at the Hisar District Court. In 1985, he moved his practice to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where he built a strong reputation for his legal skills and commitment to justice.
He was designated as a Senior Advocate in March 2001, marking an important milestone in his career.
He later served as the Advocate General of Haryana, the state’s top law officer, where he represented the government in major cases and advised it on key legal matters.
On January 9, 2004, Justice Kant was appointed as a permanent Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
His judicial career continued to grow, and on October 5, 2018, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Less than a year later, in May 2019, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India.
Throughout his career, Justice Surya Kant has been known for his balanced judgments, deep understanding of constitutional law, and focus on social justice.
His appointment as the next Chief Justice of India is expected to further strengthen the judiciary’s commitment to fairness, independence, and accessibility.
The official statement from the government and the Union Law Minister’s post on X highlight the constitutional process behind the appointment and the continuity of leadership in the highest judicial office of the country.
As 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.”
Justice Surya Kant’s journey from a district court lawyer in Hisar to the top judicial position in India reflects years of dedication and service to the law. His upcoming term as the CJI is expected to be marked by a focus on judicial reforms, transparency, and access to justice for all.
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