Justice Surya Kant took oath as India’s 53rd CJI at Rashtrapati Bhavan, beginning a tenure that brings a refreshed Supreme Court collegium. The transition was marked by former CJI BR Gavai’s thoughtful gesture of leaving the official car for his successor, a quiet but notable moment of institutional courtesy.
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu administers the oath of office to Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India during the ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Monday, November 24, 2025. (Photo: IANS)
Justice Surya Kant took charge as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on Monday after being sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The oath was taken in Hindi, a departure from the recent pattern in CJI swearing-ins, and he invoked the name of God as he assumed office.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who attended the ceremony, later wrote on X: “Attended the oath-taking ceremony of Justice Surya Kant as the Chief Justice of India. Best wishes to him for his tenure ahead.”
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The event drew a large gathering. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Union ministers, Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini, several sitting judges and delegations from Mauritius, Malaysia, Brazil, Bhutan, Kenya, Nepal, and Sri Lanka were present.
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After the ceremony, Justice Kant drove to the Supreme Court and placed floral tributes before the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr BR Ambedkar, a gesture that underlined the themes of justice and constitutional responsibility he spoke about during interactions last month.
Justice Kant succeeds Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, who retired on Sunday. His appointment had been cleared by the government on October 30 after Justice Gavai named him as his successor.
In a quiet but notable gesture, Justice Gavai arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the official Mercedes-Benz assigned to the Chief Justice but returned home in his personal car, ensuring the official vehicle was immediately available to his successor.
Justice Kant will serve until February 9, 2027, giving him a tenure of a little over 14 months.
With Justice Kant’s elevation, the five-member Supreme Court collegium has been reconstituted. Apart from the CJI, it now includes Justices Vikram Nath, BV Nagarathna, JK Maheshwari and MM Sundresh.
The smaller three-member collegium for High Court appointments will have the CJI, Justice Nath and Justice Nagarathna.
Only one change is expected during Justice Kant’s term. Justice Maheshwari retires in June 2026 and Justice PS Narasimha will take his place. After Justice Kant demits office, Justice JB Pardiwala will enter the collegium.
Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Kant studied law at Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, after graduating from Government College, Hisar. He began his career in Hisar in 1984 and moved to the Punjab and Haryana High Court the following year.
Over the years, he handled a mix of constitutional, service and civil matters and represented universities, Boards, corporations, banks and even the High Court. He became Haryana’s youngest Advocate General in 2000 and was designated a senior advocate in 2001.
He was appointed a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004, served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court from 2018, and was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019.
Justice Kant has also held roles in legal service bodies. He served two terms on the Governing Body of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), is associated with committees of the Indian Law Institute and currently chairs the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee.
During his time on the Supreme Court bench, he has been part of important decisions — including judgments linked to Article 370, the Pegasus spyware case, issues relating to free speech, citizenship, and electoral roll reforms.
Congratulatory messages poured in after the swearing-in.
Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Singhvi wrote on X: “My warm wishes to Justice Surya Kant as he takes oath today as the 53rd CJI. His elevation marks the beginning of a 14-month tenure at a crucial juncture for our judiciary. May his leadership further strengthen constitutional values, institutional integrity and the promise of justice for every citizen.”
President Murmu also shared an update, noting: “Shri Justice Surya Kant sworn in as the Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan.”
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