Who is Justice Surya Kant? A look at life of next CJI’s journey

Justice Surya Kant, currently the second-most senior Supreme Court judge, has been recommended as India’s next Chief Justice. But who is the man behind this milestone, and what does his journey from Hisar to the nation’s highest court reveal?

New Delhi: Justice Surya Kant is set to take over as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24, 2025, following the retirement of Chief Justice Bhushan R. Gavai on November 23. With this appointment, Justice Kant becomes the first Chief Justice from Haryana, marking a historic moment for the state and the Indian judiciary alike.

Born on February 10, 1962, in Petwar village, Hisar, Justice Kant’s journey from a small-town student to the highest judicial position in India stands as a story of perseverance, intellect, and social commitment.

Early Life and Education

Justice Surya Kant’s humble beginnings shaped his worldview and professional ethics. He attended a village school that did not have basic classroom amenities such as benches until he was in Class VIII. Despite these challenges, he went on to graduate from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, in 1981.

He earned his LLB degree from Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, in 1984, and later achieved a First Class First in his Master of Laws (LLM) from Kurukshetra University’s Directorate of Distance Education while serving as a judge.

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Legal Journey: From Hisar to the Supreme Court

Justice Surya Kant began his legal career in 1984 at the District Court, Hisar, before moving to Chandigarh in 1985 to practice before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Over time, he became a sought-after lawyer known for his expertise in constitutional, service, and civil matters.

In July 2000, he was appointed Advocate General of Haryana, becoming the youngest person to hold that position. A year later, in March 2001, he was designated as a Senior Advocate.

His judicial career took off when he was elevated as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004. After serving for more than 14 years, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in October 2018. His elevation to the Supreme Court of India followed on May 24, 2019.

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Landmark Judgments and Legal Contributions

Justice Surya Kant has been part of several significant Supreme Court benches and has authored judgments with far-reaching social implications.

• Part of the bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370.
• Helped put the sedition law on hold, directing no new cases to be filed until a government review.
• Authored the Jasvir Singh judgment, which led to a scheme for family visits for prisoners.
• Directed the government to create protections for domestic workers.
• Ordered one-third representation for women in bar associations.
• Upheld the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme as constitutionally valid.
• Ordered a probe into the 2022 security lapse during the Prime Minister’s Punjab visit.

In addition to his judicial work, he has played key roles in legal aid initiatives. He currently serves as the Executive Chairman of NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) and has been Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee since 2024.

A Leader with a Vision for Justice

Justice Surya Kant’s upcoming tenure as Chief Justice is expected to bring a blend of administrative efficiency and social awareness to the Supreme Court. Known for his clarity, empathy, and commitment to equality, he is often described by colleagues as a judge who connects legal principles with real-world impact.

He is set to serve as Chief Justice until February 9, 2027, ensuring a tenure of over a year to guide the judiciary through complex constitutional and social challenges.