CJI Gavai names Justice Surya Kant as his successor — here’s when he takes charge
Chief Justice Gavai has recommended to the Centre Justice Surya Kant as his successor. Once approved, Justice Kant will become the 53rd Chief Justice of India after Gavai’s retirement on 23 November, serving until February 2027.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai on Monday initiated the formal process to appoint his successor by recommending Justice Surya Kant, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, to the Union government, Hindustan Times reported. The recommendation marks Chief Justice Gavai's final administrative responsibility before his retirement next month.
When will Justice Surya Kant assume office?
Justice Surya Kant, next in the order of seniority, is expected to take oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India following Justice Gavai’s retirement on 23 November.
Once the government notifies the appointment, Justice Surya Kant will serve until 9 February 2027, giving him approximately 14 months in office.
Elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on 24 May 2019, Justice Surya Kant will hold the top judicial post for a tenure of over 1.2 years. He is due to retire on 9 February 2027.
The retirement age of Supreme Court judges is 65 years.
According to HT, citing people in the know, CJI Gavai is expected to personally hand over a copy of his recommendation letter to Justice Kant. The process follows the Union government’s 23 October communication requesting Gavai to name his successor, in keeping with the longstanding judicial convention.
Notably, if appointed, Justice Kant will be the first person from Haryana to hold the position of Chief Justice of India.
What did CJI Gavai say about his successor?
In his remarks to HT, CJI Gavai expressed deep confidence in Justice Kant’s ability to lead the judiciary with fairness and foresight.
“Justice Kant is suited and competent in all aspects to take the helm,” Gavai said, adding that his successor “will prove to be an asset to the institution as its head.”
Reflecting on their shared life experiences, CJI Gavai told HT: “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.”