NEW DELHI: Justice Surya Kant on Monday took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, marking the start of a nearly 15-month tenure at the helm of the judiciary. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Justice Kant.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, and commerce minister Piyush Goyal were present at the ceremony.He succeeds Justice BR Gavai, who demitted office on Sunday evening. Appointed on October 30, Justice Kant will serve until February 9, 2027, when he turns 65.Landmark verdicts and key interventionsJustice Kant was part of the Supreme Court bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, kept the colonial-era sedition law in abeyance by directing that no new FIRs be filed, and oversaw the presidential reference on the powers of Governors and the President regarding state bills.Also read: Key judgments Justice Surya Kant was a part ofHe asked the Election Commission to disclose the names of 65 lakh voters excluded from Bihar’s draft rolls, and reinstated a woman sarpanch who was unlawfully removed, pointing to gender bias. He directed that one-third of seats in bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, be reserved for women.Justice Kant was also on the bench that appointed a committee led by Justice Indu Malhotra to probe the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2022 Punjab visit, observing that such questions required “a judicially trained mind”. He upheld the One Rank-One Pension scheme and continues to hear cases filed by women officers seeking parity in permanent commission. He was part of the seven-judge bench that overruled the 1967 AMU judgment and served on the bench handling the Pegasus spyware case, stating that the state cannot get a “free pass under the guise of national security”.Born on February 10, 1962 in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Kant rose from a small-town practice to the country’s top judicial office. He stood “first class first” in his Master’s degree in law from Kurukshetra University and later served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Known for his calm approach to public scrutiny, he had earlier said: “Frankly speaking, I call social media ‘unsocial media’ and I do not feel pressured by online comments… Fair criticism is always acceptable.”About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia, Italy Launch Joint Initiative To Counter Terror Financing As PM Modi Meets MeloniPiyush Goyal Meets PM Netanyahu, President Herzog As India-Israel FTA Talks Gain Momentum‘Sindh May Return To India Again’: Rajnath Singh’s Big Remark On India-Pakistan Border’No Longer Optional’: PM Modi Calls For UNSC Reforms At IBSA Meet; Urges United Stand Against Terror‘Extensive Misinformation’: French Navy Slams Pakistan Media Report Over Op Sindoor ClaimsModi Pitches New Era Of Unified Global Response With Satellite Data And Minerals Initiative”Govt Is Making Sure Muslims Never Raise Their Heads”: Jamiat Chief On Al-Falah ActionIAF Officer Namansh Syal Flown Back to India After Tejas Jet Crash in Dubai Air ShowShah Rukh Khan Pays Tribute To Victims Of Pahalgam And Delhi Blasts at Global Peace Honours 2025Piyush Goyal Completes Three Day Israel Visit Emphasizing Strengthened Ties And Future Cooperation123PhotostoriesTeaching kids: Who is a stranger? Understanding safe vs. unsafe peopleTop 7 baby names inspired by Lord ShivaHow to make Indian-style kimchi at home for a probiotic boost5 common mistakes people make on the first dateAamir Khan uses careful craft and smart scripts to build films that connectAjwain health benefits: 7 reasons to eat soaked carrom seeds every dayTop 5 Delhi markets for wedding shopping every bride must visitAriana Grande and Cynthia Erivo: 5 co-stars who went from strangers to best friendsFun English family dramas you simply can’t missBeyond the cape: Unveiling the top superhero anime123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayBihar Minister List 2025Bihar CM Oath CeremonyGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingNHL InjuryAuston Matthews InjuryCola Social Security PaymentsBrittany MahomesCanada Citizenship ActMichael IrvinSmriti MandhanaJosh Allen InjuryTejas CrashFortnite Chapter 7 Leaked
NEW DELHI: Justice Surya Kant on Monday took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, marking the start of a nearly 15-month tenure at the helm of the judiciary. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Justice Kant.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, and commerce minister Piyush Goyal were present at the ceremony.He succeeds Justice BR Gavai, who demitted office on Sunday evening. Appointed on October 30, Justice Kant will serve until February 9, 2027, when he turns 65.
Landmark verdicts and key interventions
Justice Kant was part of the Supreme Court bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, kept the colonial-era sedition law in abeyance by directing that no new FIRs be filed, and oversaw the presidential reference on the powers of Governors and the President regarding state bills.Also read: Key judgments Justice Surya Kant was a part ofHe asked the Election Commission to disclose the names of 65 lakh voters excluded from Bihar’s draft rolls, and reinstated a woman sarpanch who was unlawfully removed, pointing to gender bias. He directed that one-third of seats in bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, be reserved for women.Justice Kant was also on the bench that appointed a committee led by Justice Indu Malhotra to probe the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2022 Punjab visit, observing that such questions required “a judicially trained mind”. He upheld the One Rank-One Pension scheme and continues to hear cases filed by women officers seeking parity in permanent commission. He was part of the seven-judge bench that overruled the 1967 AMU judgment and served on the bench handling the Pegasus spyware case, stating that the state cannot get a “free pass under the guise of national security”.Born on February 10, 1962 in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Kant rose from a small-town practice to the country’s top judicial office. He stood “first class first” in his Master’s degree in law from Kurukshetra University and later served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Known for his calm approach to public scrutiny, he had earlier said: “Frankly speaking, I call social media ‘unsocial media’ and I do not feel pressured by online comments... Fair criticism is always acceptable.”
