Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has officially taken oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) today, May 14, 2025. The swearing-in ceremony was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Justice Gavai succeeds Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who retired on May 13, 2025.

Justice Gavai's tenure as CJI is slated to be a relatively short one, spanning a little over six months, as he is due to retire on November 23, 2025, upon reaching the age of 65. Despite the brevity of his term, his elevation to the highest judicial office is both historically significant and symbolically important.

Justice Gavai's appointment marks several milestones. He is the first Buddhist to hold the position of Chief Justice of India. He is also only the second judge from the Scheduled Castes to ascend to this role, following Justice KG Balakrishnan, who served as CJI from 2007 to 2010. This representation underscores the judiciary's commitment to inclusivity and constitutional morality.

Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai's journey to the Supreme Court is a testament to his dedication and legal acumen. He joined the Bar on March 16, 1985, and practiced independently at the Bombay High Court from 1987 to 1990. Subsequently, he primarily appeared before the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. During his early career, he served as Standing Counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Nagpur, Amravati Municipal Corporation, and Amravati University. He also held the position of Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court from August 1992 to July 1993. Later, he was appointed Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for the Nagpur Bench on January 17, 2000.

Justice Gavai was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on November 14, 2003, and became a permanent judge on November 12, 2005. He presided over benches dealing with various types of cases at the Principal Seat in Mumbai and at the Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji benches. His elevation to the Supreme Court of India occurred on May 24, 2019.

Since his appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Gavai has been part of approximately 700 benches, handling a wide array of cases related to constitutional and administrative law, civil law, criminal law, commercial disputes, arbitration, electricity, education, and environmental law. He has been a part of several Constitution benches that have delivered landmark rulings. Notably, he was a member of the five-judge bench that unanimously upheld the Central Government's decision to abrogate Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He was also part of the bench that struck down the electoral bonds scheme for political funding and upheld the Centre's 2016 demonetization move.

Additionally, Justice Gavai led a bench that granted bail to AAP leader Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case, setting a precedent for granting bail to other accused individuals in the same case. He also presided over the bench that stayed Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the Modi surname defamation case and granted regular bail to civil rights activist Teesta Atul Setalvad in a case related to the 2002 Godhra riots.

Justice Gavai's tenure begins at a critical time for the Indian judiciary. The Supreme Court has faced increasing scrutiny regarding alleged judicial overreach, particularly in cases such as the Tamil Nadu Governor case, where the court directed the President to adhere to a timeline for clearing Bills. Concerns about judicial corruption have also resurfaced, following the alleged discovery of charred currency notes at the official residence of a High Court judge. In response to these concerns, 21 Supreme Court judges have publicly disclosed their assets in an effort to restore public confidence.

As Justice Gavai assumes office, he will be expected to steer the court through these challenges while upholding constitutional principles and reinforcing public trust in the institution. His background, experience, and previous judgments suggest a commitment to justice, fairness, and the rule of law. Many eyes will be on him to see the legacy he shapes during his six-month tenure as Chief Justice of India.