Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai Appointed 52nd Chief Justice Of India, Set To Assume Office In May 14

Mumbai: The President of India has appointed Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI), effective May 14, 2025. He will succeed the incumbent CJI, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who is set to retire on May 13.

Justice Gavai will be the second Chief Justice of India from the Scheduled Caste community, after Justice K.G. Balakrishnan who retired in 2010. His parent high court is Bombay HC.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, as the Chief Justice of India with effect from 14th May, 2025,” Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal announced on X. A notification to this effect was issued by the Union Law Ministry.

Justice Gavai’s name was recommended by CJI Khanna on April 16 as per the established procedure. He will hold the top judicial post for a tenure of just over six months before retiring on November 23, 2025, upon attaining the age of 65. Justice Gavai will take oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14.