The Union government has officially announced the appointment of Justice Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI). This historic appointment marks the first time a legal luminary from Haryana will assume the esteemed position of India’s highest judicial authority. Justice Surya Kant is scheduled to be sworn in on November 24, the day after the current CJI, Justice B.R. Gavai, concludes his term.
Justice Kant, currently the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, will serve as the 53rd CJI. His tenure is anticipated to last approximately 14 months, concluding with his retirement on February 9, 2027. The recommendation for his appointment was initiated by CJI Gavai just two days prior.
CJI Gavai expressed his confidence in Justice Kant, describing him as “suited and competent in all aspects to take the helm.” He further highlighted that Justice Kant’s extensive life experience would equip him to “understand the pain and sufferings of those who most need the judiciary to protect their rights.”
Born on February 10, 1962, in Petwar village, Hisar district, Justice Kant hails from a family rooted in education, with his father being a Sanskrit teacher. After completing his education in Hisar and obtaining his law degree from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, he pursued an LL.M. from Kurukshetra University, achieving first-class honors. This academic pursuit underscores his lifelong commitment to continuous learning.
Justice Kant commenced his legal career in Hisar in 1984, later relocating to Chandigarh to practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He specialized in constitutional, service, and civil law, earning a reputation for meticulous case preparation. His appointment as Advocate General of Haryana in 2000, at the young age of 38, made him the youngest to hold that office, and he was designated a Senior Advocate the following year.
His elevation to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in January 2004 was a significant step. Initially hesitant due to his thriving practice and family commitments, he accepted the judgeship after a compelling conversation with the then Chief Justice, who emphasized the judiciary’s need for his expertise. Colleagues recall his view that judgeship was a way to repay a moral debt to the institution that shaped him.
During his tenure at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Kant delivered several landmark judgments, including recognizing the right to conjugal visits for jail inmates and ordering the sanitization of the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters following violence. He also issued directives for coordinated anti-drug measures across Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
In October 2018, he took charge as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, where he was known for his administrative clarity and approachability. He consistently stressed the importance of the district judiciary as the true reflection of the justice system.
Beyond his judicial duties, Justice Kant is known for his appreciation of poetry, nature, and rural life. He was elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019. In his six years on the apex court, he has authored over 300 judgments across various legal domains.
Justice Kant has been part of significant benches, including those that adjudicated on the Article 370 abrogation, the Section 6A Citizenship Act, and the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University, where he notably wrote a dissenting opinion. He also served on the bench that granted bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the one hearing the reference on the timeline for governor-president bill assent.
Actively involved in legal aid, Justice Kant currently serves as the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). He recently launched the Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana, aimed at providing free legal assistance to soldiers, veterans, and their families, which he described as a fulfillment of constitutional duty.
With his courteous demeanor and ability to foster consensus, Justice Kant takes on the role of CJI at a time when the judiciary faces complex constitutional challenges and high public expectations for transparency, efficiency, and reform. His 14-month tenure is expected to drive further digitisation, procedural advancements, significant constitutional bench hearings, and the strengthening of judicial infrastructure at the district level.