Justice Surya Kant has been recommended to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India, with his swearing-in set for November 24, following the retirement of the current Chief Justice BR Gavai. Surya Kant will become the first person from Haryana to hold the top judicial post and is expected to serve until February 9, 2027.
Born in Hisar, Haryana, in 1962, Justice Kant studied law at Maharshi Dayanand University. He began his legal career at the district court in Hisar before rising through the ranks to serve as the youngest Advocate General of Haryana. Elevated as a judge in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004, he led the Himachal Pradesh High Court as Chief Justice from 2018 before his appointment to the Supreme Court in May 2019.
Justice Kant is known for a rigorous work ethic and balanced judgments. His landmark contributions at the Supreme Court include being part of the bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, froze the sedition law, and introduced key reforms in gender equality and electoral transparency. He has participated in over a thousand judgments covering constitutional law, democracy, and civil rights.
The Law Ministry is expected to formally notify his appointment soon. Justice Kant’s experience is seen as pivotal, with observers highlighting his humble upbringing and practical approach to justice as vital strengths for the country’s highest judicial office.
