Chief Justice of India, List from 1950-2026, Tenure, Appointment process

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the head of the Indian judiciary and is responsible for upholding constitutional values and ensuring justice for every citizen. Each CJI brings a distinct vision and approach to strengthening the legal system during their tenure. Since the Supreme Court’s establishment on 26 January 1950, a total of 53 judges have served as Chief Justice of India.

Justice Surya Kant is the current Chief Justice of India 2026. He assumed office on 24 November 2025, with a tenure marked by his focus on constitutional rights and judicial reforms.

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 of India 2026, 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 1950-2026

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 1950-2026:

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First Chief Justice of India

Justice Harilal Jekisundas Kania, popularly known as H. J. Kania, was the first Chief Justice of India. He assumed office on 26 January 1950, when the Constitution of India came into force and the Supreme Court of India was established. He served as Chief Justice until 6 November 1951, when he died while holding the office.

Before becoming the first CJI, Justice Kania served as a judge of the Federal Court of India from 1946 and became its Chief Justice in August 1947. Following India’s transition to a republic in 1950, he became the head of the newly established Supreme Court.

His tenure marked the beginning of the Supreme Court’s role as India’s highest judicial authority. He was succeeded by Justice M. Patanjali Sastri.

Current Chief Justice of India

The current Chief Justice of India (CJI) in 2026 is Justice Surya Kant, who became the 53rd Chief Justice of Indiaon 24 November 2025. He was appointed by the President of India and is due to retire on 9 February 2027, upon attaining the age of 65.

Justice Surya Kant was born on 10 February 1962 in Hisar, Haryana. He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984 and began practising law the same year. He was appointed Advocate General of Haryana in 2000, becoming the youngest person to hold the position at that time.

He was appointed a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on 9 January 2004 and became Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on 5 October 2018. He was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on 24 May 2019 before assuming office as the Chief Justice of India in November 2025.

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 (2026-2033)

If the seniority principle continues to guide appointments, the following eight judges will successively serve as Chief Justices of India (CJI) from 2026 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.

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.

Chief Justice of India Term & Oath

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the head of the Supreme Court of India and is appointed by the President of India. The Constitution prescribes the tenure and oath of the CJI to ensure judicial independence and uphold constitutional values.

Term of the Chief Justice of India

• The Chief Justice of India holds office until attaining the age of 65 years.
• There is no fixed tenure for the CJI; the term depends on the age at which the judge assumes office.
• The CJI can resign before retirement by submitting a resignation letter to the President of India.
• The CJI may also be removed through the process of impeachment on grounds of proved misbehavior or incapacity.
• The senior-most judge of the Supreme Court is generally appointed as the next Chief Justice of India.

Oath of the Chief Justice of India

Before entering office, the Chief Justice of India takes an oath administered by the President of India under Article 124(6)of the Constitution.

The CJI swears to:

• Bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India.
• Uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India.
• Perform duties faithfully and conscientiously.
• Act without fear, favour, affection, or ill will.
• Uphold the Constitution and the laws of the country.

Role & Responsibilities of Chief Justice of India

As the guardian of the Constitution and the leader of the judicial system, the CJI performs several administrative, judicial, and constitutional functions to ensure the effective functioning of the judiciary.

• Head of the Supreme Court: Leads the Supreme Court and oversees its overall functioning, administration, and judicial work.
• Master of the Roster: Decides the allocation of cases to different benches and determines which judges will hear specific matters.
• Constitutes Benches: Forms constitutional benches and special benches to hear important cases involving constitutional interpretation or matters of national importance.
• Judicial Decision-Making: Participates in hearing and deciding significant constitutional, civil, criminal, and public interest cases.
• Guardian of the Constitution: Ensures that laws and executive actions conform to the provisions of the Constitution and protects fundamental rights.
• Administrative Head of the Judiciary: Supervises the administration of the Supreme Court, including staffing, case management, and judicial procedures.
• Appointment and Transfer Consultation: Plays a crucial role in the appointment and transfer of judges through the Collegium System, in consultation with senior Supreme Court judges.
• Advisory Role to the President: May participate in proceedings when the President seeks the Supreme Court’s advisory opinion under Article 143 of the Constitution.
• Representation of the Judiciary: Acts as the principal representative of the Indian judiciary in interactions with the executive, legislature, and international judicial forums.
• Appointment to Constitutional Bodies: Recommends or nominates members to various commissions, committees, and statutory bodies where judicial participation is required.
• Protection of Judicial Independence: Safeguards the autonomy and impartiality of the judiciary from external influence or interference.
• Public Interest and Constitutional Governance: Ensures timely adjudication of cases affecting governance, public welfare, constitutional values, and the rule of law.