New Delhi, April 28, 2025: Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has been appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI), with his swearing-in scheduled for May 14. He will succeed incumbent CJI Sanjiv Khanna, who is set to retire on May 13.
Justice Gavai’s tenure as the head of the judiciary will be brief, ending on November 23, 2025, when he turns 65—the retirement age for Supreme Court judges.
This appointment is historic, as Justice Gavai becomes only the second Dalit judge to assume the top post in the Indian judiciary, after Justice K G Balakrishnan. His elevation is widely seen as a step forward for inclusivity and representation in the judiciary.
Born in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai started his legal career in 1985. He was appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court in 2003 and elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019. Over the years, he has been part of several landmark judgments including the verdicts on the abrogation of Article 370, demonetisation, electoral bonds, and the constitutionality of property demolitions without due process.
Justice Gavai is known for his constitutional acumen and moderate stance on contentious issues. His appointment comes at a time when the Supreme Court is set to deal with several high-profile matters related to civil liberties, electoral transparency, and social justice.
His tenure, though short, is expected to maintain continuity while guiding the judiciary through critical transitions.
