Chief Justice of India (CJI) holds the highest judicial position in the country and is the head of the judiciary and the Supreme Court Of India. The 53rd Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, was appointed on Thursday, October 30, 2025. He will take over on November 24 and serve as CJI until February 9, 2027, a period of over 16 months. Suryakant, an Indian judge of the Supreme Court of India, was born on February 10, 1962. After CJI B. R. Gavai’s retirement on November 23, the second-most senior Supreme Court judge will take over as India’s 53rd Chief Justice on November 24. Kant was a Senior Advocate and the Advocate General for Haryana before he was appointed a judge. He also serves as the National Legal Services Authority’s ex officio executive chairman.

53rd Chief Justice of India

President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Justice Surya Kant as India’s 53rd Chief Justice (CJI) on October 30, 2025. The Union Law Ministry’s Department of Justice announced Justice Surya Kant’s appointment. He will take over as Chief Justice of India on November 24 and will serve for approximately 16 months, till February 9, 2027. He will serve as India’s first Chief Justice from Haryana. He is a first-generation lawyer renowned for his honest views, fair decisions, and focus on constitutional morality. It is expected that during his term, judicial accessibility, administrative reforms, and uniform constitutional interpretation would be the main priorities.

What is the Chief Justice of India?

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the head of the judiciary system of the country and the highest-ranking judge of the Supreme Court of India. Appointed under Article 124 of the Indian Constitution, the CJI is considered the “first among equals” in the collegium of Supreme Court judges. The Chief Justice of India oversees the court’s proceedings, manages the roster of cases, and guides the Supreme Court’s judicial policies.

The appointment is made by the President Of India, traditionally based on seniority among Supreme Court judges. The CJI plays a key role in maintaining the independence and integrity of the judiciary while ensuring that the Constitution is upheld in letter and spirit.

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Roles and Responsibilities of CJI

The Chief Justice of India is entrusted with a wide range of constitutional, administrative, and judicial responsibilities that are vital for the functioning of the Indian judiciary. Here are the primary roles and duties:

1. Judicial Leadership – Presides over the Constitution Benches and allocates cases in the Supreme Court.
2. Administrative Head – Manages court functioning, schedules, and judicial assignments.
3. Collegium Head – Leads the appointment and transfer of judges through the collegium system.
4. Advisor to the President – Advises the President on judicial appointments and constitutional matters.
5. Custodian of the Constitution – Ensures protection of the Constitution and citizens’ fundamental rights.
6. Judicial Representative – Represents the Indian judiciary in national and international legal forums.
7. Crisis Manager – Acts as the judiciary’s spokesperson during times of institutional or national crises.

Chief Justice of India List (1950–2025)

India’s Supreme Court has been led by some of the most brilliant legal minds. The current Chief Justice of India 2025 is Surya Kant. For reference, here is the full Chief Justice of India List:

Current Chief Justice of India

Surya Kant (born 10 February 1962) is an Indian Supreme Court judge, the second-most senior Supreme Court judge behind the incumbent CJI B. R. Gavai, and is set to become India’s 53rd Chief Justice on November 24, 2025, following CJI B. R. Gavai’s retirement on November 23, 2025.

Notable Judgments of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant 

Here are some notable judgments given by the Chief Judge of India, Justice Surya Kant.

• Article 370: A member of the five-judge bench that maintained Article 370’s revocation.
• Minority Tag to AMU: A member of the bench that rendered the decision on the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University.
• Election Commission Oversight: Currently in charge of a bench supervising Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision process.

Career of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant 

Surya Kant was nominated to serve on the National Legal Services Authority for two consecutive terms on February 23, 2007. Surya Kant attended and organized a number of prestigious conferences. He was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on October 5, 2018. Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi’s Supreme Court collegium recommended his promotion to the Supreme Court of India on May 9, 2019. Surya Kant took the oath of office as a Supreme Court justice on May 24, 2019.

Conclusion

As the new Chief Judge of India, Justice Surya Kant has a tight timeline and immense responsibility. He must guide the Supreme Court through pressing legal challenges, high-profile cases, and demands for judicial reform. With his deep legal acumen, commitment to the Constitution, and personal background rooted in India’s social justice movement, Justice Gavai brings a fresh yet grounded perspective.

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