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Nov  24- 2025

JUSTICE SURYA KANT TAKES OATH AS THE 53RD CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA

In a milestone moment for India’s judiciary, Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) at aswearing-in ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday 24th November, 2025. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath, which Justice Kant took in Hindi. His tenure will extend up to February 9, 2027, marking nearly 15 months in office.

The ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, former CJI BR Gavai, former President Ram Nath Kovind, and other Union Ministers like Hardeep Singh Puri, HD Kumaraswamy, JP Nadda, and Piyush Goyal.

Early Life and Legal Journey

Born on February 10, 1962, in the Petwar village of the Hisar district, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant’s rise is a story of determination and excellence. He completed his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984 and began his practice at the District Courts in Hisar. The following year, he shifted to practise at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, specialising in Constitutional, Service, and Civil law.

In 2000, at the age of 38, Justice Kant earned the distinction of becoming the youngest Advocate General of Haryana, and shortly thereafter was designated a Senior Advocate. His elevation as a permanent Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court came on January 9, 2004.

His commitment to legal scholarship did not wavereven while serving on the benchhe secured a First Class First in his Master’s degree in Law (LL.M.) in 2011.

Judicial Career: From High Courts to the Supreme Court

Justice Surya Kant served on the Governing Body of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) between 2007 and 2011. He then later became the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on October 5, 2018, before being elevated to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019.

Over the years, he has also held notable administrative roles:

  • Executive Chairman of NALSA (since May 14, 2025)
  • Chairman, Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (since November 2024)
  • Member of various committees at the Indian Law Institute

Justice Kant earned a reputation for clarity, balance, and judicial restraint. Known for his calm demeanour, he once remarked:“Frankly speaking, I call social media ‘unsocial media’… Fair criticism is always acceptable.”

Landmark Judgments and Key Contributions

Justice Surya Kant has been part of several landmark rulings that shaped constitutional interpretation, electoral integrity, civil liberties, and governance in India. Some of his most significant contributions include:

1. Upholding the Abrogation of Article 370 –

Justice Surya Kant was part of the historic bench that upheld the constitutional validity of the abrogation of Article 370, marking a watershed moment in India’s federal and constitutional law landscape.

2. Keeping the Sedition Law in Abeyance –

He was part of the bench that directed governments not to register new FIRs under Section 124A (sedition) until the Centre completed its reconsideration. This was viewed as a bold step toward safeguarding free speech.

3. The Pegasus Spyware Case –

Justice Surya Kant’sjudgment assumes great significance as he orderedan independent probe into the Pegasus surveillance allegations, reaffirming that the state cannot claim a “free pass” on grounds of national security without judicial scrutiny.

4. Electoral Transparency in Bihar –

He directed the Election Commission to disclose the names of 65 lakh voters dropped from Bihar’s draft rolls during a Special Intensive Revision—an order that strengthened transparency and electoral accountability.

5. Gender Justice in Local Governance and the Legal Profession

  • Reinstated a woman sarpanch removed on dubious grounds, calling out gender bias.
  • The ruling mandated that one-third of seats in bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, be reserved for women—a landmark move toward ensuring gender balance.

6. Governor–President Powers Reference –

Justice Surya Kant was part of the Constitution Bench hearing a Presidential Reference on the powers of Governors and the President concerning state legislation, a case with deep federal implications. The judgment is awaited.

7. Probe into PM Modi’s Security Breach (2022) –

He contributed to the decision to appoint a committee led by Justice Indu Malhotra to examine the security lapse during PM Modi’s Punjab visit, noting that such issues require the attention of “a judicially trained mind.”

8. One Rank-One Pension (OROP) –

Justice Surya Kant upheld the constitutional validity of the OROP scheme, reinforcing the rights and welfare of armed forces pensioners.

9. Women Officers’ Permanent Commission Cases –

He continues to hear matters related to parity for women officers in the armed forces, underscoring his commitment to gender equity.

10. AMU Minority Status Reconsideration –

As part of a seven-judge bench, he helped overturn the 1967 AMU ruling, paving the way for a re-examination of Aligarh Muslim University’s minority status.

The Road Ahead as Chief Justice of India

Justice Surya Kant succeeds Justice BR Gavai, who demitted office on Sunday evening. His tenure comes at a crucial moment for the Indian judiciary, which is navigating challenges related to:

  • Judicial vacancies
  • Technological modernisation
  • Backlog reduction
  • Federal friction between the Centre and states
  • Fundamental rights in the digital era

Given his background of impactful constitutional engagement and administrative experience, his tenure is expected to focus on judicial reforms, access to justice, and strengthened legal services delivery mechanisms through NALSA and the SCLSC.

To Conclude With

Justice Surya Kant’s elevation to the office of the Chief Justice of India marks the culmination of an illustrious journey—from a small-town legal practitioner in Hisar to the highest judicial office in the country. His contributions across constitutional law, civil liberties, gender justice, electoral transparency, and public accountability have shaped modern Indian jurisprudence.

With a calm judicial philosophy, a strong administrative track record, and a deep commitment to justice delivery, Justice Surya Kant’s tenure as the 53rd CJI holds immense promise for the future of India’s judiciary.