A New Chapter for the Judiciary: Justice Surya Kant Becomes 53rd Chief Justice of India

Justice Surya Kant, known for his sharp judicial reasoning and contributions to several nationally significant verdicts, was sworn in on Monday as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. He succeeds Justice B.R. Gavai, who demitted office earlier in the day.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan in a ceremony attended by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and senior Union ministers including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and J.P. Nadda. With his elevation, Justice Kant will head the judiciary and the Supreme Court for nearly 15 months, until his retirement on February 9, 2027.

From Hisar to the Apex Court: A Steady Rise

Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant’s journey has been defined by academic merit and a steady climb through the legal hierarchy. After graduating from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, he earned his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984. In 2011, he topped his LLM examinations from Kurukshetra University, securing the ‘first class first’ position.

Justice Kant began practicing law in Hisar before shifting to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1985. His growing reputation as a lawyer culminated in his appointment as Haryana’s youngest Advocate General in 2000. Four years later, he entered the judiciary as a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

In 2018, he took charge as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and in 2019, he was elevated to the Supreme Court.

Marking a Legacy: Key Judgments and Interventions

Justice Surya Kant’s tenure at the Supreme Court has been marked by rulings that touched on civil liberties, electoral accountability, and gender justice.

He was part of the bench that effectively paused the use of the colonial-era sedition law, calling for a review of its relevance in a modern democracy. He also oversaw judicial scrutiny of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, pushing for greater clarity in its implementation for defence personnel.

In a notable gender rights decision, he ordered the reinstatement of a woman sarpanch who had been removed from office on questionable grounds, flagging systemic prejudice in local governance.

Justice Kant has been a strong proponent of transparency in electoral rolls. His direction to the Election Commission to disclose details about over 65 lakh voters left out of Bihar’s draft rolls during the Special Intensive Revision exercise prompted a wider debate on electoral inclusivity.

He has also pressed for greater representation of women in professional bodies, directing that one-third of positions in bar associations — including the Supreme Court Bar Association — be reserved for women lawyers.

Constitutional Bench Work and National Security Oversight

On the constitutional front, Justice Kant was part of the seven-judge bench that overturned the 1967 Aligarh Muslim University ruling, a decision that now clears the path for revisiting the institution’s minority status — an issue with wide political and legal implications.

His role in the Pegasus spyware case further underscored his judicial philosophy. He played a key role in setting up an independent expert panel to examine allegations of unauthorized surveillance, emphasizing that the state cannot escape judicial scrutiny by merely invoking national security.

Justice Kant also headed the committee that examined the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2022 visit to Punjab, earning praise for a thorough and balanced inquiry.

What His Tenure Means

As he begins his term as Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant is widely expected to focus on strengthening institutional accountability, advancing gender justice, and improving the transparency of democratic processes. His track record suggests a leadership style rooted in constitutional values and an insistence on reasoned, evidence-based decision-making.

With several critical cases awaiting hearing — including matters related to electoral bonds, judicial reforms, and digital privacy — Justice Kant’s stewardship will likely shape the court’s engagement with some of the most consequential debates of the decade.

Also Read: Lawyer Attempts to Attack Chief Justice of India BR Gavai in Supreme Court