In a landmark move, President Droupadi Murmu has officially appointed Justice BR Gavai as the next Chief Justice of India, effective May 14, 2025. This comes after a formal recommendation from current Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who is set to retire on May 13.
Justice Gavai, a distinguished judge of the Supreme Court, will take on the prestigious role as the 52nd CJI, marking a significant milestone as the second-ever leader of the judiciary from the Dalit community. The first was Justice KG Balakrishnan, who held the position until 2010.
Though his term will be brief, with Justice Gavai slated to retire on November 23, 2025, his appointment is a moment of profound importance for the Indian judiciary.
Justice Gavai’s judicial journey began with his appointment as an additional judge at the Bombay High Court in 2003, where he earned a reputation for fairness and dedication. Elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019, his career has been marked by remarkable contributions to the legal landscape, with service in Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad, and Panaji.
As he prepares to take the reins from Justice Khanna, all eyes will be on how Justice Gavai shapes the future of India’s highest court.
