On November 24, 2025, Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He succeeds Justice B.R. Gavai and will serve until February 9, 2027 — a tenure of nearly 14 months. The oath-taking ceremony was attended by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and senior Union Ministers. In a historic first, Chief Justices from seven countries — Brazil, Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka — attended the ceremony, making it the largest international judicial delegation at a CJI oath-taking event. Justice Surya Kant, born in Haryana, had served as a judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court and later as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019. He is known for landmark rulings on electoral bonds, the Bulldozer Justice controversy, and forest conservation. His elevation is significant for Rajasthan as he has presided over several benches that ruled on cases relating to Rajasthan's election laws, land acquisition, and environmental jurisprudence.
Justice Surya Kant Sworn in as 53rd Chief Justice of India
On November 24, 2025, Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He succeeds Justice B.R. Gavai and will serve until February 9, 2027 — a tenure of nearly 14 months. The oath-taking ceremony was attended by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and senior Union Ministers. In a historic first, Chief Justices from seven countries — Brazil, Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka — attended the ceremony, making it the largest international judicial delegation at a CJI oath-taking event. Justice Surya Kant, born in Haryana, had served as a judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court and later as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019. He is known for landmark rulings on electoral bonds, the Bulldozer Justice controversy, and forest conservation. His elevation is significant for Rajasthan as he has presided over several benches that ruled on cases relating to Rajasthan's election laws, land acquisition, and environmental jurisprudence.
Key facts
- Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on November 24, 2025.
- The oath was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- He succeeds Justice B.R. Gavai and will serve until February 9, 2027 — a tenure of nearly 14 months.
- VP C.P. Radhakrishnan, PM Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and senior Union Ministers attended the ceremony.
- For the first time, Chief Justices from 7 countries — Brazil, Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka — attended, the largest-ever international judicial delegation at a CJI oath ceremony.
- Justice Surya Kant was born in Haryana; served as judge of Punjab & Haryana High Court and then as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court.
- He was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019 and is known for landmark rulings on electoral bonds, Bulldozer Justice controversy, and forest conservation.
Mains angle
Q: Examine the constitutional significance of Justice Surya Kant's elevation as 53rd Chief Justice of India and the unprecedented international judicial presence at the ceremony.
Answer (50 words):
On November 24, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Justice Surya Kant as 53rd Chief Justice of India, succeeding Justice B.R. Gavai until February 9, 2027. Chief Justices from Brazil, Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal and Sri Lanka attended — the largest-ever international judicial delegation reinforcing India's constitutional standing.
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Source: PIB / DD News / Department of Justice / Supreme Court of India
Frequently asked questions
Who is the 53rd Chief Justice of India?
Justice Surya Kant is the 53rd Chief Justice of India, sworn in on November 24, 2025, by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Whom does Justice Surya Kant succeed and when does his tenure end?
He succeeds Justice B.R. Gavai and will serve until February 9, 2027 — a tenure of nearly 14 months.
What was historically significant about the oath-taking ceremony?
For the first time, Chief Justices from 7 countries — Brazil, Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka — attended the ceremony, making it the largest-ever international judicial delegation at a CJI oath-taking event.
What is Justice Surya Kant known for?
He is known for landmark rulings on electoral bonds, the Bulldozer Justice controversy, and forest conservation. Before the Supreme Court, he served as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court.
Why is Justice Surya Kant's elevation significant for Rajasthan?
He has presided over several benches that ruled on cases relating to Rajasthan's election laws, land acquisition, and environmental jurisprudence.
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