Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, the Chief Justice of India, recommended the name of Justice Surya Kant to the Union Law Ministry as the next Chief Justice of India, when the Law and Justice Ministry asked him to suggest a name for the next CJI.
Once approved by Droupadi Murmu, he will take over as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24, after Gavai’s retirement on November 23, and serve until February 9, 2027.
What CJI Gavai says about his recommended successor
As Chief Justice of India, B. R. Gavai praised Justice Surya Kant by formally recommending him as his successor, calling him “suited and competent” to lead the judiciary.
Gavai highlighted that Justice Kant, like himself, came from a background marked by struggle and perseverance.
This shared experience, Gavai noted, made him confident that Justice Kant would understand “the pain and sufferings of those who need the judiciary to protect their rights”.
Who is Justice Surya Kant
Justice Kant was born on February 10, 1962, in a middle-class family of Haryana’s Hisar. He completed his graduation from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, in 1981. Besides, he earned his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984.
He began with his legal practice at Hisar District Court in 1984 only, and shifted to Chandigarh in 1985 to practice in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
His specialisations include constitutional, service and civil matters. He has also represented a number of universities, boards, corporations, banks, and the High Court itself.
Landmark verdicts of Justice Kant
Justice Kant has made history by becoming the youngest Advocate General of Haryana on July 7, 2000, and designated as Senior Advocate in March 2001. Besides, he became the permanent Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004. Even then, he continued his academic career, and earned another distinction of standing First Class First in his Master’s degree in Law in 2011 from Kurukshetra University.
Justice Kant was nominated as a member of the Governing Body of National Legal Services Authority on February 23, 2007, for two consecutive terms till February 22, 2011. He became the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in October 2018.
Throughout his judicial career, Justice Kant has addressed cases spanning human rights, gender justice, education, and prison reform. He is known for his empathetic approach to cases, and focus on social justice.
He is also the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, with effect from November 12, 2025.
Justice Kant’s appointment holds immense significance for Haryana. If this recommendation of CGI Gavai gains approval, Justice Kant will be the first person from the state to reach the country’s highest judicial office, marking a proud moment for Haryana and showcasing a journey of merit from a rural, middle-class background.
