Justice BR Gavai sworn in as 52nd CJI, to serve for 6 months
Justice Gavai, who was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019, will have a tenure of over six months and would demit office on November 23.
News Arena Network - New Delhi - UPDATED: May 14, 2025, 02:12 PM - 2 min read
President Droupadi Murmu administers the oath of office to Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai as the 52nd Chief Justice of India during a ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, Wednesday.
Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai took oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) at a formal ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu. Justice Gavai succeeds Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the head of the Indian judiciary.
Following the swearing-in, Chief Justice Gavai was congratulated by President Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, and several Union Cabinet ministers. Former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna was also present at the ceremony to extend his best wishes to his successor.
Justice Gavai will serve as Chief Justice for a tenure of six months, until his retirement in November 2025.
Career and judicial contributions
Justice Gavai began his legal career in 1985, practicing at the Bombay High Court. He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in 2003 and became a permanent judge in 2005. In 2019, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India.
#WATCH | Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu administers oath of office to Justice BR Gavai as the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
During his tenure as a Supreme Court judge, Justice Gavai has contributed to several important rulings. Notably, he was part of the bench that upheld the central government's 2016 demonetisation decision. He also played a key role in the landmark judgment that struck down the electoral bonds scheme as unconstitutional. Over the years, he has authored approximately 300 judgments, including multiple Constitution Bench decisions, particularly those addressing fundamental rights.
Second dalit Chief Justice of India
Justice Gavai is the second Dalit to hold the office of Chief Justice of India, following Justice KG Balakrishnan. He comes from a family with a strong background in public service and social activism. His father, RS Gavai, was a prominent political figure who served as Governor of three Indian states and was a member of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. RS Gavai also founded the Republican Party of India (Gavai), a political party rooted in the Ambedkarite movement.
#WATCH | Delhi: CJI BR Gavai greets President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, former President Ram Nath Kovind and other dignitaries at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He took oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India.
The legal community has welcomed Justice Gavai’s appointment with admiration and respect. Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi described him as “one of the most pragmatic and result-oriented judges” he has encountered.
“Very pleasant court ambiance, very firm grip on proceedings, great sense of humour, avoids ‘Operation successful, patient died’ paradigms as far as possible and knows his law thoroughly. I wish he had a longer tenure,” Singhvi said.
President Droupadi Murmu being greeted by Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai after he took oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India during a ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, Wednesday
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also lauded the new Chief Justice, calling him “humility personified.”
“Brilliant but humble. Holding the high constitutional office but grounded. He is intellectually independent and impartial to the core,” Mehta remarked. He added that Justice Gavai had made a significant contribution to Indian jurisprudence through landmark rulings across all branches of law.
“He is unpretentious and unassuming despite being one of the finest judges the country has had so far. His legal acumen is without any pompous display. He has been carrying forward the true legacy of Dr Ambedkar,” Mehta concluded.
Justice Gavai now leads the Supreme Court of India at a time of major legal and constitutional debates, with expectations high for his brief yet potentially impactful tenure.
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