Justice Surya Kant assumed duties as India's 53rd chief justice after President Droupadi Murmu conducted the swearing-in ceremony, launching a 14-month term that will conclude when he reaches mandatory retirement age in February 2027. The Haryana-born jurist replaces Justice Bhushan R. Gavai, who stepped down after turning 65, and brings decades of experience from district courts through high court chief justice positions before joining the apex bench in 2019.
The new chief justice identified case backlogs as his primary concern and pledged to establish multiple constitution benches within weeks to address longstanding constitutional questions. He plans coordination with regional high courts to diagnose structural problems affecting lower tribunals while expanding mediation programs to resolve disputes between government entities and reduce litigation volume.
The new chief justice identified case backlogs as his primary concern and pledged to establish multiple constitution benches within weeks to address longstanding constitutional questions. He plans coordination with regional high courts to diagnose structural problems affecting lower tribunals while expanding mediation programs to resolve disputes between government entities and reduce litigation volume.
