President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice Surya Kant as the Chief Justice of India (CJI), effective from November 24, 2025. The current CJI, BR Gavai, will retire on November 23, after which Justice Kant will assume charge as the 53rd CJI. Just days ago, CJI Gavai had recommended Justice Kant’s elevation to the central government.
Appointed as a Supreme Court judge on May 24, 2019, Justice Kant will serve over a year and two months in the top role, retiring on February 9, 2027. His notable judgments include directing the Election Commission to reinstate 65 lakh voters deleted from Bihar’s electoral rolls during a special revision, following a hearing that challenged the EC’s decision. In 2022, he was part of the bench that formed a five-member committee, led by former Justice Indu Malhotra, to probe the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Punjab visit.
This appointment ushers in a new era for India’s judiciary, emphasizing transparency and efficiency.
