New Delhi: The President has appointed Justice Surya Kant, currently serving as a Supreme Court judge, as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI). He will assume office on November 24, succeeding the incumbent CJI B R Gavai.
Justice Surya Kant will demit office on February 9, 2027 on attaining the age of 65 years.
Born on February 10, 1962, in Petwar village of Hisar district, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant’s journey from a rural upbringing to the highest judicial office in the country reflects a remarkable story of merit. After earning his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984, he began his practice at the district courts in Hisar, before moving to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, where he built a reputation as a sharp constitutional and service law expert.
In July 2000, he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana, a distinction that set the tone for a career marked by dynamism and intellect. His elevation as a permanent Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in January 2004 initiated a judicial tenure that has since spanned over two decades.
Justice Surya Kant’s contributions extend beyond the courtroom. As a member of the governing body of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) from 2007 to 2011, and now as its executive chairman since May 2025, he has championed access to justice for marginalized communities. His academic pursuit continued alongside, earning him a First Class First in his Master’s degree in Law in 2011.
Appointed as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in October 2018, he was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, where he has authored several landmark judgments noted for their clarity, compassion, and constitutional depth.
Known for his balanced approach, keen legal insight, and empathy, Justice Surya Kant’s elevation as the CJI is seen as a continuation of the judiciary’s commitment to integrity, reform, and justice for all.