In a significant development for India’s judiciary, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has been appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI). He is scheduled to take the oath of office on May 14, 2025, succeeding the current CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who is set to retire on May 13, 2025 .
Justice Gavai’s appointment is historic, as he becomes only the second individual from the Scheduled Caste community to ascend to the nation’s highest judicial position, following Justice KG Balakrishnan, who served until 2010 .
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai embarked on his legal journey in 1985. He began his practice at the Bombay High Court, focusing on constitutional and administrative law. In November 2003, he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court and became a permanent judge in 2005. After serving for over 15 years, he was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019 .
Throughout his tenure at the Supreme Court, Justice Gavai has been part of several landmark judgments, including:
– The unanimous verdict upholding the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
– The decision declaring the electoral bonds scheme unconstitutional.
– The majority ruling supporting the 2016 demonetization initiative by the central government.
Justice Gavai’s term as CJI will be relatively brief, concluding on November 23, 2025, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. Despite the short duration, his appointment is seen as a step forward in promoting inclusivity and representation within the Indian judiciary.
