The process to select the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) has officially begun, as the current CJI, Justice B.R. Gavai, is set to complete his term on November 23. Justice Surya Kant, who is presently the senior-most judge after Justice Gavai, is the leading candidate for this prestigious position.
The Ministry of Law has formally initiated the process by writing to CJI Gavai to recommend his successor, a customary step taken about a month before the end of a CJI’s term. This appointment follows the established Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), which guides the selection, transfer, and promotion of judges within the Supreme Court and various high courts. The convention dictates that the most senior judge in the Supreme Court is recommended for the role of CJI, provided they are deemed suitable.
A Closer Look at Justice Surya Kant
Born on February 10, 1962, Justice Surya Kant is a distinguished senior judge of the Supreme Court. Should his appointment be confirmed, he will become the 53rd Chief Justice of India. Prior to his elevation to the apex court, Justice Kant had a successful career as a senior advocate and also served as the Advocate General for Haryana.
He earned his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984, after graduating from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, in 1981. His legal journey began in 1984 at the district court in Hisar, and he subsequently moved to Chandigarh to practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
In 2018, Justice Kant was appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court before joining the Supreme Court in 2019. His tenure as a Supreme Court judge is expected to conclude with his retirement on February 9, 2027.
Throughout his time practicing at the Supreme Court, Justice Kant has been involved in numerous significant verdicts, reportedly exceeding 1,000 cases. His contributions span areas such as constitutional law and human rights. Notably, he was part of the five-judge constitution bench that ruled in favor of abrogating Article 370 in 2023.
In addition to his judicial roles, Justice Kant also holds important positions such as Visitor of the National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi, and serves as the ex officio Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).