A significant piece of news has emerged concerning India's judiciary. The country's current Chief Justice of India (CJI), Bhushan Ramkrishna Gawai, has formally recommended Justice Surya Kant to the central government for appointment as the next Chief Justice.
New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gawai has formally recommended Justice Surya Kant to the central government for appointment as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI). Following the incumbent CJI Gawai, Justice Surya Kant is the second most senior judge of the Supreme Court. If the central government approves this recommendation, Justice Surya Kant will assume office as the 53rd Chief Justice of the country on November 24, 2025, after CJI Gawai's retirement on November 23.
According to sources from news agency PTI, this recommendation has been sent to the Union Ministry of Law. Justice Surya Kant was appointed as a Supreme Court Judge on May 24, 2019. If he becomes the new Chief Justice, his tenure will be approximately 1.2 years. It is important to note that the retirement age for Supreme Court judges is set at 65 years.
Who is Justice Surya Kant?
Justice Surya Kant is counted among those judges of the Indian judiciary who have left a profound mark on the judicial system with their decisions and fearless approach. He was born on February 10, 1962. He completed his early education in Haryana and then obtained a degree in Law (LLB). In 1984, he began practicing as an advocate and gradually became one of the prominent lawyers of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Later, he was appointed Advocate General of Haryana in 2004. Following this, on January 9, 2009, he was made a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. His judicial career includes several landmark decisions that provided significant guidelines on subjects such as human rights, environmental protection, and administrative accountability.
Appointment and Experience in the Supreme Court
Justice Surya Kant was appointed as a Supreme Court Judge on May 24, 2019. During his tenure in the Supreme Court, he presided over several important cases involving issues related to education, reservations, constitutional rights, and the criminal justice system. He is known for his image as a balanced, disciplined, and public-friendly judge.
His legal acumen, command of language, and ability to interpret the Constitution have ranked him among the country's top judges. If the central government approves his appointment, he will serve as CJI for approximately 1.2 years (14 months), as the retirement age for Supreme Court judges is set at 65 years.
