New Delhi: Justice Surya Kant was sworn in on Monday as the 53rd Chief Justice of India at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath, marking the beginning of his term as the head of the country’s judiciary.

He succeeded Justice B R Gavai, whose tenure ended on Sunday. Justice Surya Kant is expected to serve until February 2027, giving him a tenure of about fifteen months.

Born in Petwar village in Hisar district of Haryana, Justice Surya Kant has risen through decades of dedicated work in the legal field. He began his practice in the mid-1980s, later served as the Advocate General of Haryana, became a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and went on to lead the Himachal Pradesh High Court as Chief Justice. He was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019.

Over the years, he has been part of several important constitutional and public interest cases, including matters related to Article 370, corruption, election processes and digital privacy.

After taking office, Justice Surya Kant said that reducing the large backlog of cases in the Supreme Court will be one of his key priorities. He also highlighted the need for smoother coordination with high courts and district courts and encouraged wider use of mediation to make justice faster and more accessible.

His appointment comes at a time when the judiciary faces increasing pressure to improve efficiency while continuing to safeguard constitutional rights. As Chief Justice, he will oversee key administrative decisions of the Supreme Court and guide the court through several significant matters expected in the coming months.