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Chief Justice of India 2025: Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has been sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He is the first Buddhist CJI in the history of India. In a symbolic gesture of inclusivity and cultural identity, Justice Gavai took his oath in Hindi, pledging to uphold the Constitution and faithfully discharge his duties.
Prior to him, Justice Sanjiv Khanna served as the 51st Chief Justice of India, succeeding Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
Who is Justice B.R. Gavai? Key Landmark Judgements
Justice B.R. Gavai has delivered several important judgments that have influenced the interpretation of constitutional rights, social justice, and administrative accountability in India:
- Bulldozer Justice Case (Demolition of Structures v. and Ors.):In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court, with Justice Gavai on the Bench, strongly opposed the practice of “bulldozer justice.” The Court held that the executive cannot demolish properties solely on the basis that the occupants are accused or convicted of criminal offences. The verdict reinforced the principle that punitive measures must follow due legal procedures and not arbitrary action by the state.
- Reservation Sub-classification (State of Punjab and Ors. v. Davinder Singh and Ors.): Justice Gavai was part of the majority (6:1) which ruled that sub-categorisation within Scheduled Castes (SCs) is constitutionally valid, allowing states to make provisions for separate quotas for more backward groups within the SC category. This ruling supports nuanced affirmative action aimed at equitable distribution of reservation benefits.
- Prospective Effect of Reservation in Promotions (Jarnail Singh v. Lachhmi Narain Gupta): Justice Gavai was on the Bench that clarified the impact of the 2006 M. Nagaraj judgment. The Court held that its interpretation—that the State is not mandated to provide reservation in promotions to SC/ST—will apply prospectively. This provided clarity on how past promotions made without applying the Nagaraj conditions should be treated.
These rulings reflect Justice Gavai’s balanced approach toward safeguarding constitutional rights, social equity, and due process of law.
Key Constitutional Provisions Related to the Chief Justice of India
The office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is pivotal to the functioning of the Indian judiciary and upholding the Constitution. Several constitutional provisions define the appointment, qualifications, powers, and removal of the CJI to ensure judicial independence and accountability.
Appointment of the Chief Justice of India
- The Chief Justice of India is appointed by the President of India under Article 124(2) of the Constitution.
- As per long-standing convention, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court is appointed as the CJI.
- Seniority is determined based on the judge's length of service in the Supreme Court.
What are the Qualification Required to be Appointed as the CJI?
A person must meet the following criteria to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court:
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Must have served as a High Court judge (or in succession) for at least five years; or
- Must have been an advocate of a High Court (or in succession) for at least ten years; or
- Must be considered a distinguished jurist by the President.
Role and Powers of the CJI
- The CJI is known as the "Master of the Roster" and holds the power to allocate cases to benches and schedule their hearings.
- Plays a critical role in the judicial collegium, consisting of the CJI and the four senior-most SC judges, which is consulted by the President for appointing judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.
- Can appoint ad-hoc judges to the Supreme Court under Article 127.
- With Presidential consent, the CJI can alter the location of the Supreme Court from Delhi to any other place.
Removal or Impeachment of CJI
- The CJI can only be removed by the President after an address by both Houses of Parliament, supported by:
- A majority of the total membership of each House, and
- A two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.
Appointment of Chief Justices in Other Democracies
- United States: The Chief Justice is appointed for life and may only be removed through impeachment.
- United Kingdom: The Judicial Appointments Commission selects the Lord Chief Justice through a special panel from among Appeal Court or Supreme Court judges.
- Tenure: Until mandatory retirement at age 75, although the position is otherwise held for life.
The appointment of Justice B.R. Gavai as the 52nd Chief Justice of India is historic and symbolic, representing progress in social inclusion within the judiciary. As the first Buddhist CJI, his tenure is expected to uphold the constitutional values of justice, equality, and secularism. Meanwhile, Justice Sanjiv Khanna’s significant rulings have left a lasting imprint on India's legal landscape. Together, their contributions underscore the vital role of the judiciary in safeguarding the democratic fabric of the nation.
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