Chief Justice of India Bhushan R. Gavai has officially recommended Justice Surya Kant, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor. Once the Union government issues the notification, Justice Kant will become the 53rd Chief Justice of India.
Justice Kant is expected to take the oath on November 24, following Justice Gavai&rsquo;s retirement on November 23. His tenure will continue until February 9, 2027, lasting around 14 months.
The recommendation follows the established convention under which the law ministry requests the incumbent CJI to name his successor about a month before retirement. Justice Gavai submitted his recommendation to the government after receiving the communication on October 23.
Justice Surya Kant, who hails from Haryana, will be the first person from the state to occupy the nation&rsquo;s top judicial post. He began his career as the youngest Advocate General of Haryana at 38 and became a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004 at the age of 42. Later, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2018 and elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019.
Throughout his judicial career, Justice Kant has been recognised for his administrative efficiency, fairness, and focus on improving consistency in judicial functioning. His leadership is expected to strengthen transparency and accountability within the judiciary.
With the formal notification awaited, Justice Surya Kant&rsquo;s appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Supreme Court&rsquo;s leadership and the Indian judicial system.

CJI Bhushan Gavai recommends Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India

Justice Surya Kant to Be Next CJI

CJI Bhushan Gavai recommends Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India

October 27, 2025 | 11:07 IST