In a significant ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Justice Surya Kant was officially sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on Monday, November 24, 2025. The oath was administered by President Droupadi Murmu, marking the commencement of a new chapter for the Indian judiciary.
A Ceremony of National Importance
The event was attended by a host of the nation's top leadership, underscoring its importance. Among the dignitaries present were Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The ceremony also saw the participation of several key ministers from the Union Cabinet, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Health Minister J P Nadda. The presence of such high-profile figures highlighted the collective respect for the office of the Chief Justice.
A Long and Significant Tenure Ahead
Justice Surya Kant has taken over from Justice B. R. Gavai, who demitted office on November 23. A notable aspect of Justice Kant's appointment is the length of his tenure; he is set to remain in office until February 9, 2027. This relatively long period at the helm is expected to provide stability and an extended window for the Supreme Court bench to deliberate on a docket filled with crucial cases.
The legal community anticipates that his term will be pivotal for adjudicating several high-profile matters. These are likely to span critical areas such as constitutional law, cyber law, criminal justice reforms, and electoral integrity. His prior record as a Supreme Court judge, where he contributed to several landmark decisions, sets a strong precedent for his leadership as CJI.
The Journey to the Top
Justice Kant's legal journey is one of inspiration. He completed his graduation from Hisar's Government Post Graduate College in 1981 and went on to earn his law degree from Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak in 1984. A pioneering figure in his family, he became their first law graduate, a testament to his dedication and the broadening access to legal education in India. His extensive experience and well-regarded jurisprudence are now poised to guide the nation's highest court through a period of complex legal challenges.
