Justice Surya Kant is all set to become the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) after the current CJI, Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, formally recommended his name to the Union Law Ministry. The development comes just days after the Centre began the process to appoint Gavai’s successor.

As per the memorandum of procedure, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court is considered eligible to take over as the Chief Justice. Justice Kant currently holds that position in the apex court.

He will assume office on November 23, following CJI Gavai’s retirement, and will serve as the 53rd Chief Justice of India till February 9, 2027, a tenure of nearly 15 months.

Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant began his legal career as a lawyer before being appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.

Over the years, he has been part of several landmark judgments covering issues like free speech, democracy, environment, corruption, and gender equality.

Landmark judgments and key contributions

1. Sedition Law: Justice Kant was part of the historic bench that put the colonial-era sedition law on hold, directing that no new FIRs be registered under it until the government completed its review.

2. Electoral Transparency: He urged the Election Commission to make public details of 65 lakh excluded voters in Bihar, showing his strong stand on transparency in elections.

3. Gender Equality in Law: He directed that one-third of seats in bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, must be reserved for women lawyers, marking a first in India’s legal history.

4. PM Security Breach Case: Justice Kant was part of the bench that formed a five-member committee, headed by former SC judge Justice Indu Malhotra, to investigate the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2022 Punjab visit, saying such matters needed “a judicially trained mind.”

5. One Rank-One Pension (OROP): He upheld the One Rank-One Pension scheme for defence personnel, calling it constitutionally valid, and continues to hear cases related to women officers seeking equal treatment in the armed forces.

6. Aligarh Muslim University Case: He was on the seven-judge bench that overruled the 1967 AMU judgment, paving the way for reconsideration of the university’s minority status.

7. Pegasus Spyware Case: Justice Kant also heard the Pegasus surveillance case, which led to the formation of a panel of cyber experts to investigate claims of illegal spying. During the hearing, he famously said that the state cannot get a “free pass under the guise of national security.”

Justice Surya Kant’s judicial record reflects a balance between constitutional principles and social justice. His upcoming term as the 53rd Chief Justice of India is expected to continue his focus on transparency, equality, and accountability within India’s judicial system.