Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai is set to be sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) today, May 14, 2025. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office, marking a significant moment in the history of the Indian judiciary. Justice Gavai's journey to this prestigious position is an inspiring narrative of perseverance and dedication.

Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai's early life was rooted in humble beginnings. He pursued his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (B.A.LL.B.) from Nagpur University. He began his legal career on March 16, 1985, and practiced independently at the Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990, later focusing his practice at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court.

Throughout his career, Justice Gavai has demonstrated expertise in Constitutional Law and Administrative Law. He served as Standing Counsel for various Municipal Corporations, including Nagpur and Amravati, as well as Amravati University. His clientele also included autonomous bodies and Corporations such as SICOM and DCVL, alongside numerous Municipal Councils in the Vidarbha region. From August 1992 to July 1993, he held the position of Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor at the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Nagpur Bench. He was then appointed as Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for the Nagpur Bench on January 17, 2000.

Justice Gavai's ascent through the judiciary saw him elevated as Additional Judge of the High Court on November 14, 2003, and he became a permanent Judge of the Bombay High Court on November 12, 2005. His career reached a new height when he was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.

Notably, Justice Gavai will be the second CJI from the Scheduled Caste community, following Justice KG Balakrishnan, who retired in 2010.

During his tenure at the Supreme Court, Justice Gavai has been a part of approximately 700 Benches, addressing a wide array of subjects including constitutional and administrative law, civil law, criminal law, commercial disputes, arbitration law, electricity law, education matters, and environmental law. He has authored around 300 judgments, including Constitution Bench Judgments, upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the fundamental, human, and legal rights of citizens. He was also a member of the five-judge Constitution Bench that validated the abrogation of Article 370, revoking Jammu and Kashmir's special status.

Justice Gavai's tenure as the CJI will be approximately six months, as he is scheduled to retire on November 23, 2025, upon reaching the age of 65 years.