CJI recommends Justice Surya Kant as next Chief Justice of India

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI)Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai on Monday formally initiated the process to appoint his successor by recommending Justice Surya Kant, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, to the Union government.

Justice Kant, next in line by seniority, is set to assume office following Justice Gavai’s retirement on November 23. Once the government issues its notification, he will become the 53rd Chief Justice of India, serving until his retirement on February 9, 2027, a tenure of around 14 months.

Sources said CJI Gavai is expected to personally hand over a copy of his recommendation letter to Justice Kant. The move follows the Union law ministry’s October 23 communication to the CJI, requesting him to name his successor in accordance with established convention.

Justice Gavai took charge as the 52nd Chief Justice of India in May 2025. Following long-standing practice, the law ministry seeks the outgoing CJI’s recommendation for his successor roughly a month before retirement. Under the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) governing judicial appointments, the senior-most Supreme Court judge considered fit for the role is appointed as CJI.

Once the government issues its notification, Justice Kant will be sworn in on November 24, becoming the first person from Haryana to hold the nation’s highest judicial office.

Justice Kant has had a distinguished legal and judicial career marked by administrative acumen and academic excellence. He became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana at 38 and was appointed as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004 at 42. While serving on the bench, he also earned a first-class master’s degree in law from Kurukshetra University in 2011.

After more than 14 years as a high court judge, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in October 2018 and elevated to the Supreme Court on 24 May 2019.

Known for his humility, fairness, and administrative efficiency, Justice Kant is widely respected for promoting consistency across high courts and strengthening the district judiciary. His elevation marks the beginning of a new chapter in the leadership of India’s judiciary following Justice Gavai’s tenure.