Justice Surya Kant is currently poised to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI), with his term set to begin after the incumbent CJI B R Gavai retires on November 23, 2025, and to last until February 9, 2027. Hailing from Haryana, he has had a distinguished career across several courts, including serving as the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court and as a senior judge in the Punjab and Haryana High Court before his elevation to the Supreme Court in May 2019.
Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant graduated from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, and pursued law from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak. He completed a master’s degree in law from Kurukshetra University in 2011, earning distinction.
Justice Surya Kant began his legal practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1985 and served as Advocate General of Haryana before being designated Senior Advocate in 2001. He was appointed Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004, serving over fourteen years, before taking responsibilities of Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2018 and joined the Supreme Court of India in 2019.
His Notable Judgements include Criminal Law & Victim’s Rights, Land Acquisition, verdict on Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam-related citizenship issues, Aligarh Muslim University’s minority status, and reviewed electoral rolls methodology in Bihar.
Known for a balanced, reformist approach and calm judicial temperament, Justice Surya Kant has authored numerous judgments, especially in criminal matters, public utilities, and social justice. He is recognized for encouraging reform, clarity, and discipline in legal proceedings. His body of work and leadership is seen as significant to the modern evolution of the Indian judiciary.
Justice Surya Kant’s appointment as Chief Justice marks a continuation of a legacy of jurisprudence committed to fairness, inclusivity, and progressive reform in the Indian judicial system.