Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai on Monday formally initiated the process of appointing his successor by recommending Justice Surya Kant, the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court, to the Union government. Justice Kant is expected to assume office as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24, following Justice Gavai’s retirement on November 23, 2025. His tenure will extend until February 9, 2027, lasting nearly 14 months.
According to sources, CJI Gavai handed over a copy of his recommendation letter to Justice Kant on Monday morning. The move came after the Union government’s communication on October 23, requesting him to name his successor as per established convention.
In his remarks, CJI Gavai described Justice Kant as “suited and competent in all aspects to take the helm”, adding that “he will prove to be an asset to the institution as its head.” Reflecting on their shared backgrounds, Justice Gavai noted, “Like me, Justice Kant also belongs to a section of society that has seen struggles at every stage in life, which makes me confident that he would best understand the pain and sufferings of those who seek justice.”
Justice Gavai took over as the 52nd Chief Justice of India in May 2025. As per judicial convention, the Law Ministry writes to the incumbent CJI about a month before retirement, requesting a recommendation for the next CJI based on seniority.
Under the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) that governs judicial appointments, the top judicial position is offered to the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court deemed fit for the role. Following Gavai’s recommendation, the government is expected to issue the official notification soon.
Justice Surya Kant, who will become the first person from Haryana to hold the office of CJI, has had a distinguished career marked by both administrative and academic excellence. He became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana at age 38, later joining the Punjab and Haryana High Court as a judge in 2004. In 2011, he earned a first-class master’s degree in law from Kurukshetra University’s Directorate of Distance Education.
After serving over 14 years as a High Court judge, Justice Kant was appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in October 2018 and was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.
Renowned for his humility, balanced temperament, and sense of fairness, Justice Kant is widely respected for combining legal rigour with empathy. He is credited with promoting judicial consistency across High Courts and strengthening the district judiciary’s performance monitoring systems.
Once the government notification is issued, Justice Surya Kant will take the oath of office on November 24, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the leadership of India’s judiciary.
