Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai has formally recommended Justice Surya Kant as his successor, marking the beginning of the official process for appointing the next Chief Justice of India.
Justice Gavai, who is set to retire on November 23, 2025, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65, made the recommendation to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice as per the established convention. The Ministry had earlier sought his opinion regarding the next head of the judiciary.
As outlined in the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), which governs appointments in the higher judiciary, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court who is found fit to hold the office is recommended as the next Chief Justice. Justice Surya Kant, being the senior-most judge after Justice Gavai, has been proposed for the post. 
Once formally appointed by the President of India, Justice Surya Kant will assume charge as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24, 2025, and is expected to serve until February 9, 2027.
Born on February 10, 1962, Justice Kant has had a long and distinguished legal career. He began his journey as an advocate in Haryana and went on to serve as the Advocate General of Haryana, before being designated as a Senior Advocate at a relatively young age.
Justice Kant was elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019 after serving as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Known for his clarity of thought and deep understanding of constitutional law, he has played a vital role in several landmark judgments over the years.
He currently serves as the Visitor of the National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi, and also holds the position of ex officio Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) — an organization dedicated to providing free legal aid and promoting legal awareness.
