New Delhi: Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna (BR) Gavai has been appointed as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI), with effect from May 14, 2025, following the retirement of incumbent CJI Justice Sanjiv Khanna on May 13.
The announcement was formally approved by President Droupadi Murmu, and the news was shared by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
“In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, as the Chief Justice of India with effect from May 14, 2025,” Meghwal posted.
Read Also: Who Is Justice BR Gavai, the Next Chief Justice of India Set to Take Oath on May 14?
A Historic Appointment
Justice Gavai, currently serving as a senior judge of the Supreme Court, will become the 51st Chief Justice of India. His appointment is significant not only for his distinguished judicial record but also because he will be only the second Dalit CJI in the history of independent India, after former CJI K.G. Balakrishnan.
He is expected to hold office for a brief tenure until November 23, 2025, when he reaches the retirement age of 65.
Judicial Career
A native of Maharashtra, Justice Gavai began his legal career in the Bombay High Court and was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court in May 2019. Known for his integrity, balanced judgments, and firm grasp of constitutional law, Justice Gavai has handled several key cases across civil, criminal, and constitutional matters during his tenure.
His elevation comes at a time when the judiciary is navigating challenges involving judicial reforms, backlog of cases, and increasing public expectations on transparency and accountability.
