53rd Chief Justice: On November 24, 2025, Justice Surya Kant was ceremonially sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) at the Ganatantra Mandap (formerly Durbar Hall) of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, marking a significant transition in the nation’s highest judiciary. Administered by President Droupadi Murmu, the oath-taking was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and a host of dignitaries, underscoring the event’s national importance.
PM Modi, who shared images from the ceremony on X, extended his “best wishes” for Justice Kant’s tenure, highlighting the seamless handover from outgoing CJI Justice B.R. Gavai.
Hailing from a modest background in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Kant becomes the first CJI from the state, bringing a 14-month term until his retirement in February 2027. The ceremony, steeped in tradition with tri-services guards and the national anthem, symbolized continuity and resolve in upholding constitutional values amid rising judicial pendencies and key cases like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Justice Surya Kant’s Illustrious Journey: From Haryana Courts to Supreme Bench
Born into a middle-class family in Haryana, Justice Surya Kant’s legal odyssey began after earning his LLB from Punjab University, Chandigarh. He enrolled as an advocate in 1989 at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, specializing in civil, constitutional, service, and labour laws, before rising to Additional Advocate General for Haryana in 2002.
Appointed a High Court judge in 2004, he served as Acting Chief Justice in 2018 and was elevated to the Supreme Court in February 2019, where he also chaired the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) since May 2025.
His career is marked by a commitment to accessibility and reform, including initiatives for legal aid to the underprivileged and environmental jurisprudence. Outgoing CJI Gavai set a precedent by personally delivering the official car to his successor at the venue, a gesture of camaraderie in the collegium system.
Landmark Judgments: Shaping Constitutional Contours
Justice Kant’s judicial footprint is profound, with contributions to transformative verdicts that have redefined India’s legal landscape. He was part of the five-judge bench that unanimously upheld the abrogation of Article 370 in 2023, affirming the Union’s authority over Jammu and Kashmir’s reorganization. In the Pegasus spyware probe, his bench ordered an independent investigation, bolstering digital privacy rights.
Other pivotal rulings include striking down parts of the sedition law under Section 124A IPC for vagueness, advocating women’s rights in marital rape discussions, and the environmental clearance in Jitendra Singh v. Ministry of Environment, balancing development with sustainability. These decisions reflect his nuanced approach to constitutionalism, earning acclaim for clarity and empathy.
Vision for the Tenure: Tackling Pendencies and Reforms
With over 80,000 cases pending in the Supreme Court alone, CJI Kant’s priorities include leveraging technology for virtual hearings, reducing backlogs through fast-track benches, and enhancing access to justice for marginalized communities via NALSA expansions.
He has voiced concerns over judicial vacancies and the need for ethical standards, pledging a “people-centric” judiciary that aligns with the Constitution’s preamble ideals. Stakeholders anticipate his leadership will address electoral integrity issues, such as the Bihar SIR case, while fostering dialogue on judicial independence.
Eternal Insights on Dharma: Justice as Divine Equilibrium
As this oath ushers in a steward of earthly justice, timeless scriptural wisdom beckons us to envision true dharma not merely as codified law, but as the harmonious balance of soul and society, where righteous adjudication stems from surrender to the Supreme Truth, dissolving the illusions of ego and conflict.
Drawing from the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 4, Verses 7-8), it reveals that divine intervention manifests through enlightened souls who uphold equity without attachment, guiding humanity from the cycle of karmic rebirths toward moksha the ultimate liberation.
This profound path, illuminated through Enlightened Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj discourses on tatvagyan and selfless bhakti, inspires judicial minds to wield authority as sacred service, fostering a realm where justice transcends borders of bias, uniting all in eternal peace and ethical sovereignty, much like the transformative reforms that elevate communities through devotion’s unerring light.
Also Read: Justice Surya Kant to Become the Next Chief Justice of India
FAQs: 53rd Chief Justice Surya Kant sworn in as CJI
1. When and where was Justice Surya Kant sworn in as CJI?
The oath-taking occurred on November 24, 2025, at the Ganatantra Mandap of Rashtrapati Bhavan, administered by President Droupadi Murmu.
2. Who succeeded whom, and what is the tenure length?
Justice Surya Kant succeeded Justice B.R. Gavai, with a 14-month tenure until February 2027, making him the 53rd CJI.
3. What are some landmark judgments associated with Justice Kant?
Key rulings include upholding Article 370’s abrogation, the Pegasus probe, sedition law reforms, and environmental clearances like Jitendra Singh v. Ministry of Environment.
4. Why is this appointment significant for Haryana?
Justice Kant is the first CJI from Haryana, rising from a middle-class family in Hisar to lead the nation’s apex court.
5. What priorities has the new CJI outlined?s apex court.
Focus areas include reducing case pendencies, tech-driven hearings, legal aid expansion, and upholding constitutional values.
6. How can one draw spiritual inspiration from judicial leadership?
Explore Gita-based teachings on dharma and devotion at Satlok Ashram for insights into eternal justice and personal liberation.
