New Delhi: In an unprecedented display of camaraderie and respect, Justice Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) on Monday, November 24, 2025, in a ceremony that saw the largest-ever assembly of relatives, friends, and teachers for a CJI oath. The event, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, was attended by a diverse group of dignitaries, including President Droupadi Murmu, who administered the oath of office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and numerous Union ministers.

Justice Kant's oath ceremony was particularly special due to the extensive guest list of 235 people, reflecting his deep connection to his roots and the relationships he has cultivated throughout his life. Many of those present were nonagenarians and octogenarians who had known him since his childhood in Petwar, a remote village in Haryana's Hisar district. His former teachers from school and college were also in attendance, witnessing his ascent to the highest judicial office in the country.

Among the esteemed guests were Usha Dahiya, Justice Kant's former English teacher from Government College, Hisar, and Professors Ranvir Singh and K P S Mahalwar, who taught him law at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak. Justice Kant, known for his humility, touched the feet of his elders and teachers before and after the swearing-in ceremony, showcasing his respect for tradition and those who guided him. While his parents are deceased, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, both in their advanced years, were present to witness the momentous occasion.

Adding to the significance of the event was the presence of several chief justices and judges from foreign countries. Delegations from Bhutan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka attended the ceremony, underscoring the international recognition of the Indian judiciary and the importance of Justice Kant's new role.

Justice Kant succeeds Justice B R Gavai, who demitted office on Sunday. After the oath ceremony, Justice Gavai embraced his successor, symbolizing a smooth transition of leadership. Justice Gavai traveled to Rashtrapati Bhavan in the CJI's official vehicle but returned home in a car provided by Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Kant's journey to becoming the CJI is an inspiring story of perseverance and dedication. He began his legal career practicing in the Hisar district court in 1984 and later moved to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1985. He served as the Advocate General of Haryana and was appointed as a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004. In 2019, he was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court. He also stood "first class first" in his Master's degree in law from Kurukshetra University.

Justice Kant has been a part of several landmark verdicts, including those related to the abrogation of Article 370, which removed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, the Bihar electoral rolls revision, and the Pegasus spyware case. He was also on the bench that kept the colonial-era sedition law in abeyance and has been involved in cases concerning the One Rank-One Pension scheme and the rights of women officers in the armed forces.

In his remarks prior to assuming office, Justice Kant emphasized his commitment to reducing the backlog of cases in courts across the country, addressing the issue at both the individual court level and on a pan-India basis. He also highlighted the importance of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. Justice Kant's tenure as CJI is expected to last nearly 15 months, with his retirement slated for February 9, 2027.