New Delhi: In a remarkably expedited procedure, the Union government finalized the appointment of the next Chief Justice of India within just one week of launching the process. On Thursday, President Droupadi Murmu formally designated Justice Surya Kant to succeed as the nation’s highest judicial authority, with his swearing-in ceremony scheduled for November 24.
The streamlined timeline marks a departure from the traditional three-step protocol, which typically spanned about two weeks. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal initiated the sequence on October 24 by writing to Chief Justice B R Gavai, requesting his input on the successor. Upon returning to Delhi from an official trip to Bhutan, CJI Gavai promptly endorsed Justice Kant the Supreme Court’s seniormost judge on October 27.
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In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the law minister extended his warmest congratulations and expressed optimism for Justice Kant’s forthcoming role. The jurist from Haryana will serve a tenure exceeding one year and two months, becoming the first from his state to lead the apex court in its 75-year legacy.
This swift transition underscores the government’s commitment to seamless continuity in judicial leadership, ensuring the Supreme Court remains robust amid its pivotal responsibilities. Justice Kant’s elevation caps a distinguished career marked by key contributions to the bench, though details of his impending duties will unfold post-oath.