Justice Surya Kant, CJI, Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant Oath, BR Gavai, Supreme Court of India
New Delhi: In a historic ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Surya Kant, who has officially taken charge as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI). The ceremony witnessed the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, key Union ministers, senior judges, and a distinguished international judicial delegation.
Soon after taking the oath, CJI Surya Kant greeted Prime Minister Modi and other dignitaries. In an emotional moment, he touched the feet of his parents to seek their blessings and warmly embraced former CJI Justice B.R. Gavai, marking a symbolic and respectful transition of judicial leadership in the country. Justice Gavai’s tenure ended on Sunday, paving the way for Justice Surya Kant to assume the top judicial position.
Historic International Presence
This year’s swearing-in ceremony created history, as it was attended by the chief justices of seven countries, making it one of the most globally represented judicial events in India. Chief justices from Brazil, Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka graced the occasion with their families.
This marks the first time in Indian judicial history that such a large international delegation has attended the oath-taking ceremony of a Chief Justice of India.
Tenure of the New CJI
Justice Surya Kant will serve as CJI for nearly 14 months. He is set to retire on 9 February 2027. His appointment comes after a long and distinguished judicial journey, during which he has earned recognition for landmark judgments in constitutional, administrative, and human rights laws.
Family Members Attend the Ceremony
The swearing-in ceremony was special for the Surya Kant family. The CJI’s entire family attended the event. They hail from Petwad village in Hisar district of Haryana.
His elder brother, Rishikant — popularly known as Master Rishikant — resides in the village with his family. Another brother lives in Hisar city, while the third resides in Delhi. All three brothers — Rishikant, Shivkant, and Devkant — were invited to the event and arrived in Delhi a day prior.
Justice Surya Kant’s wife, Savita Surya Kant, a retired college principal and former English professor, also attended the ceremony alongside their two daughters, Mugdha and Kanupriya, who are currently pursuing their studies.
A Judge Known for Landmark Decisions
Justice Surya Kant has served on multiple constitutional benches of the Supreme Court and delivered more than 1,000 judgments during his judicial career. His notable contributions include:
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Supporting the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision upholding the abrogation of Article 370, a constitutional milestone that reshaped the status of Jammu & Kashmir.
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Part of the full bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court that ordered a complete cleanup after violence triggered by the 2017 conviction of Dera Sacha Sauda chief in a rape case.
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Member of the bench that put the colonial-era sedition law on hold, instructing that no new FIRs be registered under the law until the government completed its reassessment.
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Issuing directions to reserve one-third of seats in all bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, for women advocates to promote gender representation.
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Part of the seven-judge bench that overturned the 1967 ruling related to Aligarh Muslim University, opening the door for fresh consideration of the university’s minority status.
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Part of the bench hearing the Pegasus spyware case, which ordered an independent panel of cyber experts to investigate allegations of unlawful surveillance. Justice Surya Kant emphasized that national security cannot be used as a shield for unrestricted use of power.
