Justice Surya Kant to take oath as India’s 53rd Chief Justice today; Know his inspiring journey

Justice Surya Kant, born in a modest farming family in Haryana’s Hisar district, will take oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India today on Monday. Rising from a government school student to the country’s top judicial post, his remarkable journey reflects determination, brilliance and integrity.

Post Published By: Sona Saini

Updated : 24 November 2025, 8:45 AM IST

Justice Surya Kant to Be Sworn In as 53rd CJI Today

New Delhi: A simple boy from the small village of Petwad in Haryana's Hisar district, who once studied on a sack in a government school, is now poised to lead the country's Supreme Court. Justice Suryakant will be sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) today, and will hold this important position until February 9, 2027. His journey is a unique example of struggle, hard work, and commitment.

Childhood and Family

Born on February 10, 1962, Suryakant's father, Madangopal Shastri, was a Sanskrit teacher, while his mother, Shashi Devi, was a homemaker. The youngest of five siblings, Suryakant was bright and hardworking from childhood. As a teenager, while working in the fields, he promised himself he would change his life and he later fulfilled that promise.

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His three brothers, Rishikant, Shivkant, and Devkant—joined various government services, while his sister, Kamala Devi, took care of the family's responsibilities. In 1980, he married Savita Sharma, who later retired as a college principal. Their two daughters are currently pursuing postgraduate studies in law.

Education and Beginnings in Law

Suryakant completed his LLB from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984. That same year, he began practicing law at the Hisar District Court. A year later, in 1985, he moved to Chandigarh in search of better opportunities and continued his professional career at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. While serving in the judicial service, he earned a Master's degree in Law from Kurukshetra University in 2011.

Youngest Advocate General at the Age of 38

Suryakant's talent and legal acumen quickly established him. At the age of 38, on July 7, 2000, he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana. He was subsequently elevated to Senior Advocate status and appointed a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004.

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Journey to Chief Justice and Supreme Court

After serving in the High Court for over 14 years, he became the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in October 2018. He was elevated as a Supreme Court judge on May 24, 2019.

Important Judgments and Judicial Perspectives

Justice Surya Kant has been a part of several landmark and constitutional cases:

• Directing the disclosure of details of 6.5 million voters excluded from Bihar's draft voter list.
• Member of the Constitution Bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370.
• Granting constitutional validity to OROP and supporting equal opportunity for women in the military.
• Part of the decision upholding Section 6A in the Assam citizenship dispute.
• Part of the bench that granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi liquor policy case, although he justified his arrest.

A simple boy born into a farmer's family is poised to become the top face of the Indian judiciary. This journey of Justice Suryakant inspires millions of youth in rural India who have the courage to realise their dreams.