CJI Gavai has officially recommended Justice Surya Kant as his successor. With this recommendation, Justice Surya Kant is set to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India, marking a significant moment in the judiciary’s leadership transition.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai formally recommended Justice Surya Kant as his successor.
This recommendation was made through a letter sent to the Union Law Ministry earlier this week.
Currently serving as a judge on the Supreme Court, Justice Kant is widely recognized as the next in line for the Chief Justice position, following the established convention that promotes the senior-most judge. If approved, he will become the 53rd Chief Justice of India.
CJI Gavai previously confirmed his intention to recommend Justice Kant, emphasizing the judiciary’s commitment to principles of continuity, seniority, and institutional stability.
The central government has reportedly begun the process to appoint the next Chief Justice, as CJI Gavai is scheduled to retire in November 2025.
A letter requesting CJI Gavai to propose his successor will soon be sent, in line with the procedural guidelines that govern the appointment, transfer, and elevation of judges. Traditionally, the role of Chief Justice is given to the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court deemed fit for the position.
At the appropriate time, the Union Law Minister seeks the outgoing CJI’s recommendation for his successor. This communication typically occurs about a month before the incumbent retires upon reaching the age of 65.
Justice Surya Kant, currently the senior-most judge after CJI Gavai, is poised to take over leadership of the judiciary.
Typically, the recommendation for the next Chief Justice is made about a month prior to the retirement of the incumbent, who reaches the age of 65.
Justice Surya Kant, currently the senior most judge after the Chief Justice, is poised to take over the top position in the Indian judiciary.
Following his appointment, he will assume office on November 24 and is projected to serve for nearly 15 months, until February 9, 2027.
The memorandum of procedure emphasizes that the appointment, transfer, and promotion of judges should follow the principle that the senior most judge of the top court who meets the necessary criteria should be appointed as the Chief Justice of India.
With Justice Surya Kant next in line, his formal appointment is anticipated soon, allowing him to lead the Indian judiciary starting November 24. His tenure is expected to last until February 9, 2027.
Justice Gavai was born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra. He joined the legal profession on March 16, 1985. As per reports, he studied Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (B.A.LL.B.) from Nagpur University.
He started his legal practice independently at the Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990. Later, he mainly practiced at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. His official profile on the Supreme Court’s website mentions this.
Justice Gavai became an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on November 14, 2003, and was confirmed as a Permanent Judge on November 12, 2005.
He handled a wide variety of cases at the Principal Seat in Mumbai as well as Benches in Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji.
Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
CJI Gavai, who will retire on November 23, 2025, was appointed as a Supreme Court judge on May 24, 2019, and became CJI on May 14, 2025.
Over the past six years, he has served on approximately 700 benches addressing a wide array of subjects, including constitutional and administrative law, civil law, criminal law, commercial disputes, arbitration, electricity, education, and environmental law. He has authored around 300 judgments, including those from Constitution Benches, reinforcing the rule of law and upholding the fundamental, human, and legal rights of citizens.
President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath, marking a significant milestone as Justice Gavai becomes the first Buddhist and only the second person from the Dalit community to achieve the country’s highest judicial office.
Justice Gavai is set to serve as CJI until his retirement on November 23, 2025.
Justice Surya Kant was born on 10th February,1962, at Hisar district of Village Petwar, Haryana. He, thereupon went to complete his graduation from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, in 1981 and later completed his LL.B from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984.
Thereafter he acquired his LL.M from Kurukshetra University in 2011. He started practicing law at the District Court in Hisar in 1984 and thereafter shifted to Chandigarh and started practicing in Punjab and Haryana High Court.
He thereafter went on to be the youngest Advocate General on Haryana on July 7, 2000. Justice Kant was designated as a senior lawyer in the year 2001. He 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.
Thereafter , in 2007 , he was elevated as the member of the National Legal Services Authority.
In the year , 2018 he took oath as the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court and ,in 2019 he was recommended by the collegium for elevation to the Supreme Court on 9th May.
Prior to his elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Kant served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court
Justice Surya Kant is set to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI). The Government of India has initiated the process to appoint him as the next CJI, and he is expected to assume office on November 24, 2025.
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