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Justice Surya Kant sworn in today as the 53rd Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhawan, where the President administered the oath. Rising from a modest village in Haryana to the nation’s highest judicial office, his journey reflects determination and exceptional legal acumen.
Justice Surya Kant becomes 53rd Chief Justice of India
New Delhi: The country's Supreme Court got a new leader today. Justice Surya Kant, who rose from the village of Petwad in Haryana's Hisar district to the heights of the judiciary, was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. The President of India administered the oath of office and secrecy to him in a grand ceremony held in the historic Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The ceremony was attended by chief justices from several countries, including Bhutan, Malaysia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Home Minister Amit Shah were also present at the historic event.
Justice Surya Kant, 53rd Chief Justice of India
With the swearing-in, the leadership of the Supreme Court has now passed into his hands. He will serve as the Chief Justice of the country until February 9, 2027.
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.
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.
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.
