New Delhi, November 24, 2025: Justice Surya Kant on Monday took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office, marking the beginning of Justice Surya Kant’s 15-month tenure as the head of the country’s judiciary. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who returned from the G20 Summit in Johannesburg earlier in the morning, was present at the ceremony along with several Union ministers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
A New Era Begins in the Supreme Court
Justice Surya Kant succeeds Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud’s successor, CJI Uday Umesh Lalit Gavai, who demitted office on turning 65. As per convention, Justice Surya Kant — the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court — was recommended by the outgoing CJI through a formal communication to the government.
The President appointed Justice Surya Kant under Article 124(2) of the Constitution, following which the oath ceremony was held this morning at 10 a.m.
From Haryana to the Apex Court: The Journey of CJI Surya Kant
Born on 10 February 1962 in a middle-class family in Haryana, Justice Surya Kant began his legal career in 1984 from Hisar before shifting to Chandigarh to practise at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Over the years, he represented a wide spectrum of institutions, including universities, corporations, banks and even the High Court itself, across constitutional, civil and service matters.
His career milestones include:
- 2000: Became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana
- 2001: Designated Senior Advocate
- 2004: Appointed a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court
- 2018–2019: Served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court
- May 2019: Elevated to the Supreme Court
- November 2024: Appointed Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee
- November 24, 2025: Sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India
Leaders Extend Wishes
Following the ceremony, top political leaders, legal luminaries and members of the judiciary extended their congratulations, expressing hope that Justice Surya Kant’s tenure would further strengthen the judiciary and uphold constitutional values.
His appointment marks a significant moment for India’s judicial system as the Supreme Court prepares to address several high-impact constitutional and socio-legal issues in the coming months.
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