Supreme Court Chief Justice BR Gavai is scheduled to retire on November 23, prompting the central government to officially initiate the process for appointing his successor. Following convention, the Union Law Minister has written to the incumbent CJI, recommending the name of the next Chief Justice in line with established protocols.
As per the Supreme Court’s “Memorandum of Procedure” governing judicial appointments, the senior-most judge after the incumbent CJI is typically recommended as the successor. Justice Surya Kant, currently the most senior judge in the Supreme Court, is expected to assume office as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. This recommendation is in accordance with seniority norms, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership at the apex court.
Government begins process to appoint new CJI; Justice Surya Kant next in line.
In order to recommend his successor, the government has written to B.R. Gavai, the current Chief Justice of India (CJI).
Currently, the CJI is in Bhutan for four days. When he returned, he would… pic.twitter.com/67jwI6bR2t
— MUKTII (@dyatlov75) October 23, 2025
Justice Surya Kant is likely to take charge on November 24 and will serve until February 9, 2027, completing a tenure of approximately 15 months. Appointed to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, he has previously served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and as Haryana Advocate General. The government is expected to forward Justice Gavai’s recommendation to the President shortly for formal approval.