In a significant moment for India’s judiciary, Justice Surya Kant CJI was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24, 2025, at a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Surya Kant CJI in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other dignitaries. With a tenure extending until February 9, 2027, Justice Surya Kant CJI will serve approximately 15 months in this prestigious position, taking over from Justice B.R. Gavai who demitted office on November 23, 2025.
Table of Contents
- Historic Oath Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Who is Justice Surya Kant CJI?
- Landmark Judgments and Key Contributions
- Priorities as Chief Justice of India
- Tackling Backlog: 90,000+ Pending Cases
- Focus on Constitution Benches and Mediation
- Career Journey: From Advocate to Chief Justice
- Summary
Historic Oath Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan
The oath-taking ceremony of Justice Surya Kant CJI on Monday morning marked a historic transition in India’s highest judicial office. In a unique moment, Justice Surya Kant CJI took his oath in Hindi, pledging to uphold the Constitution and faithfully discharge his duties. The ceremony witnessed the presence of dignitaries from across the nation, including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
In an unprecedented gesture, Chief Justices and judges from several foreign countries including Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, and Nepal attended the swearing-in ceremony. This international presence underscored the significance of Justice Surya Kant CJI’s appointment and India’s growing judicial stature globally. His predecessor, Justice B.R. Gavai, graciously left the official car for the new CJI at Rashtrapati Bhavan and departed in his personal vehicle after the ceremony.
Who is Justice Surya Kant CJI?
Justice Surya Kant CJI was born on February 10, 1962, in the village of Petwar in Hisar district, Haryana, into a middle-class family. He earned his law degree from Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak and began practicing at the Punjab & Haryana High Court in 1985. His journey from humble beginnings to India’s highest judicial office exemplifies dedication and merit.
At the age of 39, Justice Surya Kant CJI was designated as a Senior Advocate, a remarkable achievement that highlighted his legal acumen. He served as Advocate General of Haryana before being appointed as a judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court in 2004. Later, he became Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on October 3, 2018, before his elevation to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019.
Landmark Judgments and Key Contributions
Justice Surya Kant CJI has been part of several landmark verdicts that shaped Indian jurisprudence. He was on the Supreme Court bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, a constitutional provision that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. This historic judgment redefined India’s constitutional framework and remains one of the most significant legal decisions in recent decades.
The new Chief Justice also served on the bench that kept the colonial-era sedition law in abeyance, directing that no new FIRs be filed under this provision. Justice Surya Kant CJI played a crucial role in cases involving presidential reference on the powers of Governors and the President regarding state bills. He asked the Election Commission to disclose names of 65 lakh voters excluded from Bihar’s draft electoral rolls, demonstrating his commitment to electoral transparency.
Priorities as Chief Justice of India
Justice Surya Kant CJI has openly acknowledged the massive challenges facing India’s judicial system. In interactions with journalists before taking oath, he outlined his priorities for his 15-month tenure. His primary focus will be on clearing old Constitution Bench cases that have been pending for years, reducing overall case pendency, and restoring public confidence in the district judiciary.
The new CJI has expressed concern about the rising trend of litigants bypassing high courts and approaching the Supreme Court directly. Justice Surya Kant CJI stated he wants to examine what drives this trend and take corrective measures to strengthen the entire judicial hierarchy. He believes in empowering lower courts and ensuring they function efficiently to prevent unnecessary burden on the apex court.
Tackling Backlog: 90,000+ Pending Cases
Justice Surya Kant CJI faces the daunting challenge of addressing over 90,000 pending cases in the Supreme Court. He has admitted that the reasons for growing pendency are complex, ranging from listing inefficiencies to deeper systemic problems within the judicial machinery. The new CJI has promised to take an active role in clearing long-stalled matters, especially those in lower courts that are linked to pending Supreme Court cases.
In his pre-oath interactions, Justice Surya Kant CJI made a strong commitment: “I will find those matters, and ensure benches are constituted and they are decided.” This proactive approach signals his determination to tackle the backlog head-on. He has also emphasized the need for better case management systems and more efficient listing procedures to prevent cases from languishing for years.
Focus on Constitution Benches and Mediation
Justice Surya Kant CJI plans to prioritize forming Constitution Benches to resolve significant legal questions that currently slow down decision-making across various courts. Constitution Benches, comprising five or more judges, are necessary for deciding matters involving substantial questions of law regarding the interpretation of the Constitution. Many such cases have been pending for years, creating legal uncertainty.
The new CJI has expressed strong belief in the power of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. Calling it “one of the easiest solutions which can be a game changer,” Justice Surya Kant CJI has expressed his desire for courts and government bodies to embrace mediation more fully. This approach could significantly reduce the burden on courts while providing faster resolution to litigants.
Career Journey: From Advocate to Chief Justice
The journey of Justice Surya Kant CJI from a village in Haryana to the highest judicial office is inspiring. After graduating from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar in 1981, he pursued law at Maharshi Dayanand University. His early years as a lawyer were marked by dedication and hard work, establishing a strong practice at the Punjab & Haryana High Court.
Justice Surya Kant CJI served on the Governing Body of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) from 2007 to 2011, earning a First Class First in his Master’s degree in Law in 2011. Since May 14, 2025, he has been the Executive Chairman of NALSA and serves on several committees of the Indian Law Institute. His appointment as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2018 stirred some controversy, but the Collegium proceeded citing the importance of balanced representation from different high courts.
Summary
Justice Surya Kant CJI’s appointment as the 53rd Chief Justice of India marks a new chapter in India’s judicial history. Taking oath on November 24, 2025, with a tenure until February 9, 2027, he brings vast experience, having been part of landmark verdicts including the Article 370 abrogation, sedition law review, and Pegasus spyware case. His priorities include clearing the backlog of 90,000+ pending cases, forming Constitution Benches for resolving critical legal questions, and promoting mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism.
Born in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant CJI’s journey from a middle-class family to India’s top judicial position exemplifies merit and dedication. His focus on restoring confidence in the district judiciary, examining why litigants bypass high courts, and addressing systemic inefficiencies signals a proactive tenure ahead. As Justice Surya Kant CJI begins his 15-month term, the nation looks forward to reforms that will strengthen India’s judicial system and ensure timely justice for all citizens. His commitment to transparency, efficiency, and constitutional values promises to leave a lasting impact on India’s legal landscape.
