New Delhi, October 27 (Monday): Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has formally recommended Justice Surya Kant as his successor to the Union Law Ministry, setting in motion the process for the appointment of the next Chief Justice of India (CJI).
Justice Gavai, who took over as the 51st CJI, is scheduled to retire on November 23, 2025. Following the established convention of seniority, Justice Surya Kant, the current senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, is next in line to assume the country’s top judicial post.
As per procedure, the outgoing CJI sends a formal recommendation to the government about his successor nearly a month before retirement. The Law Ministry then forwards the file to the Prime Minister, who advises the President of India to make the official appointment.
Justice Surya Kant, who has previously served as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, has been on the Supreme Court bench since May 24, 2019. His tenure as CJI is expected to continue until February 9, 2027.
This recommendation marks a key transition for the Supreme Court as it prepares for new leadership under Justice Surya Kant.
