Government Begins Process to Appoint Next Chief Justice of India; Justice Surya Kant Likely Successor
New Delhi: The government has initiated the process to appoint the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) as the incumbent, Justice B R Gavai, is set to retire on November 23, sources said on Thursday.
According to officials familiar with the procedure, a letter requesting Justice Gavai to recommend his successor is expected to be delivered either later today or on Friday.
As per the Memorandum of Procedure—the framework governing the appointment, transfer, and elevation of judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts—the position of CJI is to be offered to the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court deemed fit to hold the office.
The Union Law Minister, “at the appropriate time,” formally seeks the outgoing CJI’s recommendation for his successor, typically about a month before the retirement date.
Justice Surya Kant, currently the seniormost judge after Justice Gavai, is next in line to assume the role. Once appointed, he will take charge as the Chief Justice of India on November 24 and serve until February 9, 2027.
