Justice Surya Kant Sworn In as 53rd Chief Justice of India, Begins Tenure Focused on Reform, Pendency and Constitutional Review
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New Delhi, Nov 24 — Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday, marking the beginning of a tenure expected to shape critical constitutional questions, procedural reforms and judicial backlog management. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath, just days after Justice Kant contributed to a significant advisory opinion as a member of the 16th Presidential Reference Bench concerning timelines imposed on constitutional authorities while dealing with State Bills.
Justice Kant took the oath in Hindi, reflecting a continued emphasis on linguistic inclusivity at the apex court. Both Justice Kant and his predecessor, Justice B.R. Gavai, have recently been recognised for reinforcing jurisprudence rooted in Indian legal traditions rather than foreign legal precedents. Their approach has been viewed as advancing a more indigenous interpretative direction within the judiciary.
Appointed to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, the same day as Justice Gavai, the new Chief Justice assumes office with a reputation for consensus-driven adjudication. He has been regarded as a judge who favours steering disputing parties towards resolution rather than escalation. His approach was evident during the peak of the farmers’ agitation, where the Bench encouraged dialogue between protesting farm unions and the Union government at a time of rising tensions on the borders of Delhi.
Following the oath ceremony, Justice Gavai ensured that Justice Kant departed Rashtrapati Bhawan in the official vehicle designated for the Chief Justice, symbolising collegial continuity and institutional respect. Justice Kant now begins a tenure that legal observers expect to be defined by attention to procedural clarity, calibrated intervention and structural reform.
A key matter under watch is the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) proceedings. The Bench led by Justice Kant has already enabled greater public access to the process, though it is yet to examine the broader constitutional validity of the exercise. The SIR programme has expanded significantly across multiple states and Union Territories, covering more than fifty crore residents, making the eventual ruling of national consequence.
Justice Kant has presided over cases that shaped cultural, social and digital boundaries, including matters relating to online content, public decency standards and social media accountability. In hearings concerning digital personalities and public commentary, Justice Kant has articulated a clear distinction between creativity and offensiveness, reflecting a judicial effort to balance free expression with societal norms.
The new Chief Justice has been part of several landmark decisions including the ruling upholding the abrogation of Article 370, the judgment striking down the electoral bonds scheme, interventions relating to Pegasus spyware allegations and orders concerning the suspension of the sedition law. His Bench granted interim relief in the Lakhimpur Kheri case, placing defined restrictions while acknowledging procedural fairness concerns.
With a tenure lasting until February 2, 2027, Justice Kant has stated that reducing the Supreme Court’s pendency—amounting to more than 90,000 cases—will be a central priority. Recent comments from the Bench have highlighted the growing pattern of repeated applications seeking clarification on settled judgments, contributing to procedural congestion and delays. The Supreme Court has increasingly become the first forum approached in high-profile matters, bypassing High Courts, adding further strain on case flow.
Justice Kant will also be expected to address sensitive institutional issues including allegations of judicial influence, internal accountability and collegium deliberations. His leadership may also shape decisions on whether additional women judges are recommended to the Supreme Court Bench.
Born on February 10, 1962 in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Kant became the youngest Advocate General of the state in 2000, before being elevated to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004 and later appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2018.
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Justice Surya Kant’s elevation comes at a pivotal moment for the Supreme Court, with constitutional questions, judicial backlog, institutional transparency and public trust at the forefront of national legal discourse. His tenure is expected to blend calibrated decision-making with structural reform, shaping the direction of the judiciary in the years ahead.