New Delhi, Nov.24,2025:Surya Kant becomes CJI of India, stepping into the role of the 53rd Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India, at a time when the highest court faces mounting challenges and expectations. His swearing-in marks a transition of leadership and sets the stage for reform, accountability, and judicial efficiency.
From Hisar to Rashtrapati Bhavan
Surya Kant becomes CJI after a distinguished legal trajectory: born on 10 February 1962 in Petwar village, Hisar district, Haryana, he completed his law degree at Maharishi Dayanand University in Rohtak and embarked on legal practice in 1984.
He advanced through roles including youngest Advocate General of Haryana (2000), Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court (2004), Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court (2018), and finally elevation to the Supreme Court in 2019.
His appointment as CJI followed the convention of seniority: his predecessor B. R. Gavai recommended his name, and the President of India administered his oath of office.
The Ceremony and Key Figures
Surya Kant becomes CJI in a formal ceremony held on 24 November 2025 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, administered by President Draupadi Murmu. Attendees included Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and many senior judicial and governmental figures.
He succeeds B. R. Gavai, who retired on 23 November 2025, and Surya Kant’s tenure is slated to last until 9 February 2027 — roughly 15 months.
What Chief Justice Surya Kant Aims to Achieve
With Surya Kant becomes CJI, his stated priorities include clearing the backlog of constitution-bench cases, reinforcing mediation as an alternative dispute resolution, and restoring faith in lower courts and tribunals by ensuring the Supreme Court does not become the first resort.
He has acknowledged that the Supreme Court has over 90,000 pending cases and emphasised the need to address systemic listing and institutional delays.
The Key Judgments & Legal Legacy
Surya Kant becomes CJI after playing pivotal roles in landmark judgments
- He was part of the bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, which removed the special status of Jammu & Kashmir.
- He contributed to the bench that held the colonial-era sedition law in abeyance, directing that no new cases be registered under Section 124A until the government completes a review.
- He ordered the Election Commission of India to disclose details of nearly 65 lakh voters dropped in Bihar during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), underlining transparency in electoral rolls.
- He has also been a voice for gender equity in the legal fraternity, directing that one-third of seats in bar associations be reserved for women.
These rulings form a foundation for the kind of leadership he will bring as CJI.
Leadership Style & Vision
When Surya Kant becomes CJI, the tone set is one of reform and institutional responsibility. He has stressed that courts are collective bodies, not just the sum of individual judges, and that discipline, consistency and efficiency are central to maintaining credibility.
By elevating mediation and alternate dispute resolution, he intends to reduce the burden on courts and make justice more accessible. His approach suggests a blend of administrative acuity, commitment to constitutional values and a vision for modernising judicial processes.
Case Backlog, Institutional Trust and Reform
Surya Kant becomes CJI just as the judiciary grapples with major structural challenges
- The backlog of cases in the Supreme Court and lower courts remains daunting.
- Litigants are increasingly bypassing high courts and heading directly to the top court, raising questions about the functioning of district and high courts.
- Institutional trust is under pressure as citizens demand faster, fairer resolution of matters, and more accountability in judicial administration.
- Coordinating across states, high courts and central agencies to enforce decisions, ensure compliance and maintain consistency across jurisdictions.
If he manages to advance reforms in these areas, Surya Kant becomes CJI could be more than symbolic — it could mark substantive change.
Impact on Judiciary, Governance & Citizens
Surya Kant becomes CJI carries significance well beyond the walls of the Supreme Court. For citizens, his tenure could determine how quickly justice is delivered, how transparent legal processes become, and how equitable institutions can be.
In governance terms, his priorities in constitutional benches may shape the interpretation of key laws, affect centre-state relations, and influence rights, liberties and regulatory frameworks.
For the judiciary itself, his leadership may usher in administrative reforms, embrace technology, alternative dispute resolution, and drive performance benchmarks.
A New Chapter Begins
Surya Kant becomes CJI at a moment of both challenge and opportunity. With a clear agenda, rich judicial experience, and a reform-oriented outlook, he steps into the role of Chief Justice of India ready to lead the Supreme Court through the evolving complexities of law, society and governance.
