Who is Justice Surya Kant, recommended by CJI Gavai as the next Chief Justice of India

Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Monday recommended the name of his Supreme Court colleague and next in seniority, Justice Surya Kant, to succeed him as the next Chief Justice of India.

The recommendation has been sent to the Union law ministry, in line with the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) that governs appointments to the higher judiciary.

Justice Surya Kant, currently the senior-most judge after CJI Gavai, is expected to take over as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24, following Gavai’s retirement. Once notified by the government, he will serve until February 9, 2027.

In his recommendation, Chief Justice Gavai described Justice Kant as “suited and competent in all aspects to take the helm,” noting their shared social background marked by perseverance and struggle.

“Like me, Justice Kant also belongs to the class in society that has seen struggles at every stage in life, which makes me confident that he would be best suited to understand the pain and sufferings of those who need the judiciary to protect their rights,” CJI Gavai said to Hindustan Times.

From Hisar to the Supreme Court

Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant’s journey reflects academic brilliance and administrative skill. He graduated from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, and earned his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984.

He began his legal practice at the Hisar district court before joining the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1985, specialising in constitutional, service, and civil matters. His sharp legal acumen saw him represent several public institutions, including universities, boards, and banks.

In 2000, at the age of 38, he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana and was designated a Senior Advocate the following year.

Justice Surya Kant was appointed as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in January 2004, where he served for over 14 years. Known for his balanced judgments and strong constitutional grounding, he was elevated as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2018 and later to the Supreme Court in May 2019.

At the Supreme Court, Justice Kant has been part of several Constitution Benches and played a key role in landmark rulings, including the 2023 verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370. He has contributed to over 1,000 judgments covering constitutional, administrative, and human rights issues.

He currently serves as Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee and as Visitor of the National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi. He has also served two terms with the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).