The Union government on Thursday officially announced the appointment of Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI). This historic appointment marks the first time that a jurist from Haryana will lead the Indian judiciary. Justice Surya Kant will assume office on November 24, a day after current CJI Bhushan R. Gavai retires from service. He will have a tenure of nearly 14 months, demitting office on February 9, 2027.
CJI Gavai had earlier recommended Justice Surya Kant as his successor, describing him as “suited and competent in all aspects to take the helm.” Gavai added that Kant’s empathy and life experiences would allow him to deeply understand the pain of those who rely on the judiciary for justice.
Born on February 10, 1962, in Petwar village in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant is known for his humility and academic brilliance. The youngest of five siblings, he completed his early education in local schools before earning a law degree from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak. In 2011, while serving as a High Court judge, he earned his LL.M. from Kurukshetra University, securing First Class First.
Starting his legal career at the Hisar District Court in 1984, he later moved to Chandigarh, where he built a strong reputation before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana at just 38 in 2000 and was designated a Senior Advocate in 2001.
Appointed as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004, Justice Surya Kant authored landmark rulings that reinforced human dignity and governance accountability. His judgments included recognizing jail inmates’ right to conjugal visits, ordering the sanitisation of Dera Sacha Sauda after the 2017 violence, and implementing state-level anti-drug measures.
In 2018, he served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, where he championed transparency, digitisation, and accessibility in the judiciary.
FAQs
Q: When will Justice Surya Kant take oath as CJI?
A: Justice Surya Kant will take oath as India’s 53rd Chief Justice on November 24.
Q: Which state does Justice Surya Kant belong to?
A: Justice Surya Kant hails from Petwar village in Hisar district of Haryana.
Q: How long will Justice Surya Kant serve as Chief Justice?
A: He will serve for around 14 months, retiring on February 9, 2027.
Q: What are Justice Surya Kant’s key judicial contributions?
A: His notable rulings include promoting prisoners’ rights and initiating anti-drug reforms in Punjab and Haryana.
