Physics Wallah

List of Chief Justice of India, Appointment Process, Tenure

Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai will serve as the 52nd CJI. He succeeded CJI Sanjeev Khanna. Find the list of Chief Justices of India!
authorImageDeeksha Dixit15 May, 2025
Share

Share

List of Chief Justice of India

 

Chief Justice of India, B.R. Gavai, took oath of office on 14th May 2025, appointed as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI). He brings with him decades of experience and an outstanding legal career. CJI B.R. Gavai will serve for the next six months and will retire on November 30.

This position carries a lot of responsibility as the CJI leads the nation’s judicial system, interprets laws, and upholds justice and democracy. For UPSC aspirants, understanding the role, selection process, and tenure of the Chief Justice of India is essential. Read on to learn about it, along with the list of all CJIs from 1950 to 2025.

CJI Justice B.R. Gavai: 52nd Chief Justice of India

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, is the 52nd Chief Justice of India. He began his legal career in 1985 under the Bar. Raja S. Bhonsale, later practicing at the Bombay High Court and Nagpur Bench. 

Over four decades, he has served as Government Pleader, Public Prosecutor, High Court Judge, and since 2019, a Supreme Court Judge. He has contributed to 700+ Benches and 300 judgments, including key constitutional rulings. Internationally, he has represented India and lectured at Columbia and Harvard. He retires on November 23, 2025.

New CJI Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai
Date of Birth (DoB) 24 November 1960
Place of Birth Amravati, Maharashtra
Joined Bar 16 March 1985
Early Legal Training Worked with Bar. Raja S. Bhonsale (1985–1987)
Independent Practice Bombay High Court (1987–1990); Nagpur Bench (1990 onward)
Specialization Constitutional & Administrative Law
Counsel Roles Standing Counsel for Nagpur & Amravati Municipal Corporations, Amravati University
Government Roles Asst. Govt. Pleader & Addl. Public Prosecutor (1992–1993); Govt. Pleader & Public Prosecutor (2000)
High Court Judge (Additional) 14 November 2003
High Court Judge (Permanent) 12 November 2005
Supreme Court Judge From 24 May 2019
Chief Justice of India (CJI) 52nd Chief Justice of India
Term as SC Judge 24 May 2019 – 23 November 2025
Benches Participated ~700 Benches across diverse legal subjects
Judgments Authored ~300, including Constitution Bench rulings
Key Legal Areas Constitutional, Civil, Criminal, Commercial, Arbitration, Environmental Law
Date of Retirement (DoR) 23 November 2025

Chief Justice of India List (1950-2025) 

Since the establishment of the Supreme Court in 1950, India has had a distinguished line of 52 Chief Justices who have contributed to shaping the country's judicial landscape. Here is the complete list of Chief Justice of India from 1950 to 2025:
List of Chief Justice of India
S No. Name Date of Appointment Date of Retirement Term
1 Justice Harilal Jekisundas Kania 26/01/1950 06/11/1951 1 year 9 months 11 days
2 Justice M. Patanjali Sastri 07/11/1951 03/01/1954 2 years 1 month 27 days
3 Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan 04/01/1954 22/12/1954 11 months 18 days
4 Justice Bijan Kumar Mukherjea 23/12/1954 31/01/1956 1 year 1 month 8 days
5 Justice Sudhi Ranjan Das 01/02/1956 30/09/1959 3 years 7 months 29 days
6 Justice Bhuvneshwar Prasad Sinha 01/10/1959 31/01/1964 4 years 3 months
7 Justice P.B. Gajendragadkar 01/02/1964 15/03/1966 2 years 1 month 14 days
8 Justice A.K. Sarkar 16/03/1966 29/06/1966 3 months 13 days
9 Justice K. Subba Rao 30/06/1966 11/04/1967 9 months 12 days
10 Justice K.N. Wanchoo 12/04/1967 24/02/1968 10 months 12 days
11 Justice M. Hidayatullah 25/02/1968 16/12/1970 2 years 9 months 21 days
12 Justice J.C. Shah 17/12/1970 21/01/1971 1 month 4 days
13 Justice S.M. Sikri 22/01/1971 25/04/1973 2 years 3 months 3 days
14 Justice A.N. Ray 26/04/1973 28/01/1977 3 years 9 months 2 days
15 Justice M. Hameedullah Beg 29/01/1977 21/02/1978 1 year 23 days
16 Justice Y.V. Chandrachud 22/02/1978 11/07/1985 7 years 4 months 19 days
17 Justice P.N. Bhagwati 12/07/1985 20/12/1986 1 year 5 months 8 days
18 Justice R.S. Pathak 21/12/1986 18/06/1989 2 years 5 months 28 days
19 Justice E.S. Venkataramiah 19/06/1989 17/12/1989 6 months 29 days
20 Justice Sabyasachi Mukherjee 18/12/1989 25/09/1990 9 months 7 days
21 Justice Ranganath Misra 25/09/1990 24/11/1991 1 year 2 months
22 Justice K.N. Singh 25/11/1991 12/12/1991 17 days
23 Justice M.H. Kania 13/12/1991 17/11/1992 11 months 4 days
24 Justice L.M. Sharma 18/11/1992 11/02/1993 2 months 24 days
25 Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah 12/02/1993 24/10/1994 1 year 8 months 12 days
26 Justice A.M. Ahmadi 25/10/1994 24/03/1997 2 years 5 months
27 Justice J.S. Verma 25/03/1997 17/01/1998 9 months 23 days
28 Justice M.M. Punchhi 18/01/1998 09/10/1998 8 months 22 days
29 Dr. Justice A.S. Anand 10/10/1998 31/10/2001 3 years 21 days
30 Justice S.P. Bharucha 01/11/2001 05/05/2002 6 months 4 days
31 Justice B.N. Kirpal 06/05/2002 07/11/2002 6 months 1 day
32 Justice G.B. Pattanaik 08/11/2002 18/12/2002 1 month 10 days
33 Justice V.N. Khare 19/12/2002 01/05/2004 1 year 4 months 13 days
34 Justice S. Rajendra Babu 02/05/2004 31/05/2004 29 days
35 Justice R.C. Lahoti 01/06/2004 31/10/2005 1 year 5 months
36 Justice Y.K. Sabharwal 01/11/2005 13/01/2007 1 year 2 months 13 days
37 Justice K.G. Balakrishnan 14/01/2007 12/05/2010 3 years 3 months
38 Justice S.H. Kapadia 12/05/2010 28/09/2012 2 years 4 months 16 days
39 Justice Altamas Kabir 29/09/2012 18/07/2013 9 months 19 days
40 Justice P. Sathasivam 19/07/2013 26/04/2014 9 months 7 days
41 Justice R. M. Lodha 27/04/2014 27/09/2014 5 months
42 Justice H.L. Dattu 28/09/2014 02/12/2015 1 year 2 months 5 days
43 Justice Justice T. S. Thakur 03/12/2015 03/01/2017 1 year 1 month
44 Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar 04/01/2017 27/08/2017 7 months 23 days
45 Justice Dipak Misra 28/08/2017 02/10/2018 1 year 1 month 5 days
46 Justice Ranjan Gogoi 03/10/2018 17/11/2019 1 year 1 month 14 days
47 Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde 18/11/2019 23/04/2021 1 year 5 months 5 days
48 Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana 24/04/2021 26/08/2022 1 year 4 months 2 days
49 Justice UU Lalit 27/08/2022 08/11/2022 2 months 12 days
50 Justice DY Chandrachud 09/11/2022 10/11/2024 2 years 1 day
51 Justice Sanjiv Khanna 11/11/2024 13/05/2025 6 months 2 days
 52  Justice B.R. Gavai 14/05/2025  23/11/2025 6 months and 10 days

Chief Justice of India Appointment Procedure

The process for appointing the Chief Justice of India is guided by Article 124(2) of the Constitution, which ensures that the appointment is made with careful consideration of judicial expertise and seniority.
  • Seniority-Based Selection: Traditionally, the Chief Justice of India is appointed from among the senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. Seniority is determined by the date of appointment to the Supreme Court.
  • Role of the Outgoing CJI: The Union Minister of Law and Justice seeks the recommendation of the outgoing Chief Justice for the appointment of the next CJI.
  • Role of the Collegium: If there is any doubt about the fitness of the seniormost judge for the position, Article 124(2) mandates consultation with other senior judges of the Supreme Court.
  • Appointment by President: Upon receiving the recommendation from the Chief Justice, the Union Minister of Law and Justice submits it to the Prime Minister, who then advises the President of India on the appointment.
Finally, the President appoints the Chief Justice of India and administers the oath of office to him/her. This procedure aims to uphold the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.

Term and Oath of Chief Justice of India

The tenure and oath of the Chief Justice of India are common questions among aspirants:

What is the Tenure of CJI?

The CJI serves until reaching the retirement age of 65, without a fixed term. This means the tenure of the CJI lasts from their appointment to the Supreme Court until their retirement age. For example, the current Chief Justice, Sanjiv Khanna, will retire on May 13, 2025, after serving for a short period of about six months.

Who Gives Oath to the Chief Justice of India?

The oath of CJI is administered by the President of India as mentioned in Article 124 of the Indian Constitution: “Every person appointed to be a Judge of the Supreme Court shall, before he enters upon his office, make and subscribe before the President, or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule.” The oath states their allegiance to the Constitution, their commitment to justice, and a promise to work without fear or favoritism, marking the beginning of their term in office.

Role & Responsibilities of Chief Justice of India

The Chief Justice of India holds a crucial role in shaping India's legal system:
  • Judicial Leadership: As the head of the judiciary, the Chief Justice of India plays a central role in decision-making in constitutional and significant cases.
  • Administrative Duties: The CJI manages the Supreme Court’s administration, including the allotment of cases, setting up constitutional benches, and overseeing judicial appointments.
  • Appointment of Judges: The  Chief Justice of India plays a key role in the appointment of other judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts. They recommend judges based on seniority and merit.
  • Ensuring Judicial Independence: This means ensuring that the courts are free from interference by the government or any other outside forces so that judges can make decisions based solely on the law.
  • Advising the President: The CJI also has an advisory role in matters like the appointment of judges to higher courts or decisions on the dissolution of the Parliament. They may be consulted by the President of India on important legal matters.
  • Guardian of the Constitution: As the head of the judiciary, the CJI is responsible for upholding and protecting the Constitution of India. They ensure that laws passed by the government do not violate the Constitution
These responsibilities make the Chief Justice of India an indispensable figure in upholding the integrity and independence of the judiciary, ensuring the rule of law, and protecting the Constitution of India.

Interesting Facts About Chief Justice of India

Here are some interesting facts about the previous Chief Justice of India:

Who is the First Chief Justice of India

Justice Harilal Jekisundas Kania took office as the first Chief Justice of India in 1950. His term marked the transition of India’s judiciary into an independent system post-independence. Kania’s tenure laid the foundation for the functioning of the Supreme Court, guiding it through the initial stages of India’s constitutional democracy.

Longest Serving Chief Justice of India

Justice Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud holds the record as the longest-serving Chief Justice of India, with a term from 1978 to 1985. Chandrachud was known for his firm stance on judicial independence and his role in significant judgments that have continued to shape the judiciary.

Shortest Serving Chief Justice of India

Justice Kamal Narain Singh served as the CJI for only 17 days in November 1991, making his term the shortest. Despite his brief term, Singh is remembered for his contributions to the judiciary before and after his tenure as the CJI.

For UPSC aspirants eager to learn more about the judicial system and CJI's role, explore the PW UPSC Courses to gain insights and preparation support for the upcoming exam!
UPSC Related Articles
Indus Water Treaty Mission Karmayogi Judicial Activism
Anti-Defection Law Cooperative Federalism Sendai Framework

Chief Justice of India FAQs

Who is the current Chief Justice of India?

The current Chief Justice of India is Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, appointed on November 11, 2024.

Who appoints the Chief Justice of India?

The Chief Justice of India is appointed by the President of India, based on the recommendation of the outgoing CJI and other senior judges.

Who was the first woman Chief Justice of India?

India is yet to get the first woman Chief Justice of India. The first chief justice of any high court is Leila Seth.

Who is the 52nd Chief Justice of India?

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai is the 52nd Chief Justice of India.

When did Justice B.R. Gavai take the oath of office?

Justice B.R. Gavai will took the oath of office on 14 May 2025.
Popup Close ImagePopup Open Image
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Popup Image
CTA Image
008448982616
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Point IconLive & recorded classes available at ease
Point IconDashboard for progress tracking
Point IconMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Download ButtonDownload Button
Banner Image
Banner Image
Free Learning Resources
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Privacy Policy
Terms of use
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.