New Delhi – The Union law ministry has formally asked Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R. Gavai to suggest the name of his successor. This move initiates the crucial process for appointing the next leader of India’s judiciary, following CJI Gavai’s impending retirement on November 23.
Justice Surya Kant, currently the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court, is poised to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India. He is expected to take office on November 24 and will serve for approximately 14 months, concluding his term on February 9, 2027.
Following a long-standing convention, the law ministry reaches out to the CJI about a month before retirement to inquire about the successor. The incumbent CJI then typically recommends the most senior judge deemed fit for the role, about 30 days before stepping down.
This established practice stems from the significant Second Judges Case ruling in 1993, which stated that the Chief Justice of India should be the senior-most judge considered suitable for the position. This convention has since been integrated into the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) for judicial appointments.
Upon receiving CJI Gavai’s recommendation, the government is anticipated to issue a formal notification appointing Justice Kant as the new CJI. As the designated successor, Justice Kant will begin to actively participate in key administrative matters alongside the current Chief Justice.
Justice Surya Kant: A Journey from Hisar’s Humble Beginnings to the Apex of Indian Judiciary
Born in Hisar, Haryana, on February 10, 1962, Justice Surya Kant’s remarkable ascent from the local courts of Hisar to the highest judicial seat in India is a testament to his quiet determination, sharp intellect, and deep humility. His career trajectory exemplifies a self-made legal luminary who skillfully blended legal scholarship with a profound sense of fairness and social responsibility.
Justice Kant completed his early education in Hisar, graduating from Government Post Graduate College in 1981. He earned his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984. Later, in 2011, while already serving as an established judge, he pursued and obtained his LL.M. from Kurukshetra University, achieving First Class First – a significant academic accomplishment.
His academic achievements underscored not only his intellectual rigor but also his lifelong commitment to learning. Colleagues often describe him as someone who viewed education not merely as a stepping stone, but as a continuous journey of seeking clarity and understanding.
Justice Kant commenced his legal practice at the Hisar District Court in 1984. The following year, he relocated to Chandigarh, where he cultivated a thriving practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He specialized in constitutional, civil, and service law, representing various institutions, corporations, and boards. His meticulous preparation and astute advocacy quickly earned him widespread recognition.
In July 2000, at the young age of 38, he was appointed Advocate General of Haryana, becoming the youngest individual to hold this prestigious office in the state’s history. Just a year later, in March 2001, he was designated a Senior Advocate, a clear acknowledgment of his esteemed position within the legal fraternity.
Judicial Career Highlights
Justice Kant made his transition to the Bench in January 2004, being elevated as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He later served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court starting in October 2018, where he was highly regarded for his administrative capabilities and his accessible approach to the Bar.
In May 2019, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India, concurrently with Justice Gavai. Over his tenure, Justice Kant has authored more than 300 judgments, many addressing complex constitutional, criminal, and administrative law matters.
At the Supreme Court, Justice Kant has been an integral part of several landmark Constitution Benches. His contributions include judgments on the abrogation of Article 370, the verdict on Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, and the ruling that upheld the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University, where his dissenting opinion was particularly notable.
He also presided over the bench that granted bail to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case, while simultaneously affirming that the agency’s arrest procedures were followed correctly – a reflection of his balanced perspective on individual liberty and procedural adherence.
Justice Kant was a member of the five-judge Bench that heard the presidential reference concerning the powers and timelines for governors and the President to act on state legislature-passed bills. Additionally, he was part of the bench reviewing the Supreme Court’s Vijay Madanlal Choudhary judgment, which pertains to the extensive powers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. While the opinion on the presidential reference is expected by November 21, the PMLA review case is slated for final arguments next month.
Beyond his judicial duties, Justice Kant has held significant leadership roles in national legal organizations. He served two consecutive terms (2007-2011) on the governing body of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), demonstrating his dedication to improving access to justice and legal aid. He has also actively contributed to the Indian Law Institute and various legal reform initiatives.
Currently serving as the executive chairman of NALSA, he has spearheaded numerous innovative projects. Among these is the July launch of the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025, a pioneering nationwide initiative providing free legal assistance to soldiers, veterans, and their families. At the scheme’s launch, Justice Kant emphasized its role in fulfilling a “constitutional duty” and fostering closer ties between the judiciary and the armed forces.
Renowned for his courteous demeanor and sharp intellect, Justice Kant is widely respected in the legal community as a skilled consensus-builder. This quality is expected to serve him exceptionally well as the next CJI, guiding the judiciary through an increasingly complex legal landscape and heightened public scrutiny.
As Justice Kant prepares to assume office on November 24, his 14-month tenure will be marked by critical constitutional challenges, alongside ongoing efforts to advance judicial reforms, integrate technology, and enhance institutional efficiency.
Those who have known him describe him as “a judge with a human heart and a constitutional mind” – a blend of humility and conviction that has consistently defined his esteemed career, from his early days in Hisar to the corridors of the Supreme Court in Delhi.