Justice Surya Kant Likely to Become Next Chief Justice After CJI Bhushan Gavai’s Recommendation

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai has officially initiated the process to appoint his successor by recommending Justice Surya Kant, the Supreme Court's seniormost judge, to the Union government.

CJI Gavai Begins the Succession Process

Justice Surya Kant, who stands next in line by seniority, is set to assume office following Justice Gavai's retirement on November 23. Upon the government's notification, he will become the 53rd Chief Justice of India, serving a tenure of approximately 14 months, until February 9, 2027.

Sources familiar with the matter stated that CJI Gavai will soon hand over a copy of his formal recommendation letter to Justice Kant. This move follows the Union government's communication dated October 23, requesting the CJI to recommend his successor in line with established judicial tradition.

"Suited and Competent in All Aspects to Take the Helm"

In his interaction with the media, CJI Bhushan Gavai praised Justice Kant's capabilities, describing him as "suited and competent in all aspects to take the helm," and added that his successor "will prove to be an asset to the institution as its head."

Reflecting on their shared life experiences, Justice Gavai remarked, "Like me, Justice Kant also belongs to the class in society that has seen struggles at every stage in life, which makes me confident that he would be best suited to understand the pain and sufferings of those who need the judiciary to protect their rights."

Judicial Appointment Procedure and Convention

Justice Gavai, who took charge as the 52nd Chief Justice of India in May 2025, followed the established process for succession. Traditionally, the law ministry writes to the sitting CJI a few weeks before retirement, seeking a recommendation for the next Chief Justice based on seniority.

As per the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), the government must appoint the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the office. After CJI Gavai's recommendation, the Centre is expected to issue an official notification soon, confirming Justice Surya Kant's appointment as the next Chief Justice of India with effect from November 24.

A Distinguished Journey of Justice Surya Kant

Justice Kant's journey in the legal field has been marked by both achievement and integrity. He will become the first person from Haryana to hold the position of Chief Justice of India.

At the age of 38, he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana, and in 2004, he was elevated as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court at just 42 years old. Even after joining the judiciary, he continued his academic pursuit, securing a first-class master's degree in law from Kurukshetra University in 2011.

He later served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in October 2018, before being elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.

Known for Fairness and Administrative Excellence

Justice Surya Kant is widely admired for his humility, even temperament, and balanced approach to justice. Colleagues credit him for his administrative efficiency and his efforts to standardize judicial performance across high courts, especially in strengthening the district judiciary.

Once the formal appointment notification is issued, Justice Kant will be sworn in on November 24, officially taking over as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, ushering in a new era in the leadership of the Indian judiciary.