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Justice Surya Kant swears in as 53rd Chief Justice of India

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 24 Nov 2025, 12:29 am

New Delhi : Justice Surya Kant on Monday took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) succeeding Justice BR Gavai, who demitted his office last evening.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Justice Kant.

Justice Kant, who was elected to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, will serve as the CJI for about 15 months until his retirement on February 9, 2027.

Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah were present at the swearing-in ceremony.

Legal practice and early career of Justice Kant

• He started practicing law in 1984 at the District Court, Hisar.
• In 1985, he shifted his practice to Chandigarh and began appearing in matters before the Punjab & Haryana High Court, specialising in constitutional, service and civil law matters.
• On July 7, 2000, he became the Advocate General of Haryana, making him the youngest person to hold that office in the state.
• In March 2001, he was designated a senior advocate.

Judicial career of Justice Kant

• On January 9, 2004, he was elevated as a Permanent Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
• On October 5, 2018, he assumed office as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
• He was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019.
• His scheduled retirement from the Supreme Court is February 9, 2027.