Justice Surya Kant has taken oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. Learn about his early life, legal career, major appointments, contributions to NALSA, and tenure details in this detailed legal educational article.
Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) at a formal ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu, with Justice Kant taking the oath in Hindi. He will serve as the CJI until February 9, 2027.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, former Chief Justice BR Gavai, former President Ram Nath Kovind, and various Union Ministers such as Hardeep Singh Puri, HD Kumaraswamy, Piyush Goyal, and JP Nadda. Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and other notable personalities also attended the event.
Early Life and Education
Born on 10 February 1962 in Petwar village, Hisar district of Haryana, Justice Surya Kant pursued his early education in the region. He completed his LL.B. from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984, marking the beginning of his legal journey.
Shortly after completing his law degree, he began practicing at the District Courts in Hisar. In 1985, he shifted his practice to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, where he specialised in Constitutional, Service, and Civil laws.
Professional Milestones
Justice Surya Kant’s distinguished career includes several historic achievements:
- Youngest Advocate General of Haryana (2000):
On 7 July 2000, he became the youngest person to be appointed as the Advocate General of Haryana. He was also designated a Senior Advocate the same year. - Judge, Punjab & Haryana High Court (2004):
He was elevated as a permanent Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on 9 January 2004. - Role in NALSA:
From 2007 to 2011, he served on the Governing Body of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). In 2011, he completed his Master’s degree in Law, securing First Class First. - Chief Justice, Himachal Pradesh High Court (2018):
On 5 October 2018, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. - Elevation to Supreme Court (2019):
Justice Surya Kant joined the Supreme Court of India on 24 May 2019, where he served on several important benches. - Executive Chairman, NALSA (2025):
Since 14 May 2025, he has been serving as the Executive Chairman of NALSA, contributing significantly to India’s access-to-justice initiatives. He is also actively involved in various committees of the Indian Law Institute (ILI).
Conclusion
Justice Surya Kant’s elevation as the 53rd Chief Justice of India reflects his long-standing commitment to the legal profession, judicial reforms, and inclusive justice delivery. His extensive experience across constitutional, civil, and service jurisprudence positions him to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s judicial landscape over the next two years.
CJI BR Gavai: Supremacy Lies with the Constitution, Not the Judiciary, Executive, or Parliament;
