Chief Justice of India, List from 1950 to 2025, Tenure

Chief Justice of India

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) stands at the apex of the judicial system and ensures that the Constitution is upheld in both spirit and practice. The CJI oversees the Supreme Court’s functioning, allocation of cases, and judicial appointments while guiding the overall direction of India’s legal framework. Justice Surya Kant, serving as the 53rd CJI, is known for his balanced and rights-oriented judicial approach. He is set to lead the judiciary through a 15-month tenure, which will conclude on 9 February 2027, upon reaching the age of retirement.

List of Chief Justice of India from 1950-2025

Since its establishment in 1950, the Supreme Court of India has been led by 53 Chief Justices, each playing a vital role in shaping the country’s judicial system. Below is the complete List of Chief Justice of India from 1950-2025:

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Chief Justice of India Appointment Process

The Constitution does not specifically outline the Chief Justice of India Appointment Process (CJI), but over time, conventions and seniority have guided the selection.

1. Seniority Principle: The senior-most Supreme Court judge is usually recommended for the position.
2. Recommendation Process: The outgoing CJI suggests their successor based on seniority.
3. Executive Approval: The Union Law Minister forwards the recommendation to the Prime Minister, who advises the President for final approval.
4. Exceptions: In 1973 and 1977, seniority was bypassed, but a 1993 ruling reinforced the convention of appointing the senior-most judge.

First Chief Justice of India 

Justice Harilal Jekisundas Kania became First Chief Justice of India on January 26, 1950, and served until his passing on November 6, 1951. As the first head of the Supreme Court, which replaced the Federal Court of India, Justice Kania played a key role in shaping the country’s judicial system after independence. His tenure was crucial in establishing judicial independence and interpreting the newly adopted Constitution. The decisions made under his leadership set important legal precedents, laying the foundation for the Supreme Court’s functioning in the years to come.

Current Chief Justice of India

Notable Judgments by Chief Justice Surya Kant:

• Article 370 Abrogation: He was part of the bench that upheld the abrogation of Article 370, supporting the reorganization of Jammu & Kashmir.
• Pegasus Spyware Surveillance: In a high-profile case, he co-authored a judgment ordering a technical committee to investigate alleged use of Pegasus, holding that “national security” cannot be a blanket shield.
• Sedition Law (Section 124A IPC): He was on the bench that put the colonial-era sedition law in abeyance, suspending new FIRs till a review is done, a major win for free speech.
• One Rank One Pension (OROP): He upheld the OROP scheme for ex-servicemen, calling it constitutionally valid.
• Gender Justice & Local Governance: He reinstated a woman sarpanch who had been removed unfairly and decried gender bias, showing his commitment to grassroots democracy.
• Women in Bar Associations: He directed that one-third of seats in bar associations (including SC Bar) be reserved for women.
• Environmental Protection: In Jitendra Singh v. Ministry of Environment, he held that village ponds are “public utilities,” and their destruction can violate the right to life (Article 21).
• Victim’s Right to be Heard: In Jagjeet Singh v. Ashish Mishra, he ruled that victims have the right to be heard right from the investigation stage, not just during trial.

Next Chief Justice of India

Justice Vikram Nath is set to become the next Chief Justice of India after Justice Surya Kant, serving from 7 February 2027 to 23 September 2027, a tenure of nearly eight months. Elevated to the Supreme Court in August 2021, he previously served in the Allahabad High Court and has developed strong expertise in labour law, service law, and civil law. During his time in the Supreme Court, he has been part of 180 benches and has authored 40 judgments, reflecting his consistent contribution to the judiciary.

Succeeding Chief Justices of India (2025-2033)

If the seniority principle continues to guide appointments, the following eight judges will successively serve as Chief Justices of India (CJI) from 2025 to 2033. Each of these judges has made significant contributions to the Indian judiciary through landmark judgments and constitutional interpretation. The list below highlights their expected tenures, judicial achievements, and key constitutional moments, including the historic appointment of the first female CJI.