Justice Kant is next CJI, to take charge on Nov 24

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday appointed Justice Surya Kant — the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court — as the next Chief Justice of India.

Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal took to X to break the news. “In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Justice Surya Kant as the Chief Justice of India with effect from November 24. I convey my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to him,” Meghwal wrote.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai had on Monday recommended Justice Kant for appointment as his successor and the 53rd CJI.

Justice Kant succeeds CJI Gavai, who is due to retire on November 23 on attaining the age of 65. He will be administered the oath of office on November 24 and will hold the office for nearly 15 months till February 9, 2027.

Justice Kant brings a wealth of experience spanning two decades on the Bench, marked by landmark verdicts on abrogation of Article 370, free speech, democracy, corruption, environment and gender equality.

Born in a middle-class family on February 10, 1962, in Hisar district of Haryana, Justice Kant obtained a bachelor’s degree in law in 1984 from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak. He has the distinction of standing ‘first class first’ in his Master’s degree in law in 2011 from Kurukshetra University.

He earned the distinction of being appointed the youngest Advocate General of Haryana on July 7, 2000, at the age of 38.

He was appointed judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004, and assumed charge of the office of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh on October 5, 2018.

Justice Kant was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.

According to the memorandum of procedure on the appointment and transfer of Supreme Court and High Court judges, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the office should be appointed as the CJI.

There has been a convention of the CJI recommending the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court as his successor.

Only twice, it was not followed — Justice AN Ray was appointed the CJI on April 25, 1973, superseding three senior-most judges and Justice MH Beg was appointed the CJI on January 29, 1977, superseding Justice HR Khanna.