{"id":56303,"date":"2026-10-19T10:10:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T04:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=56303"},"modified":"2026-10-19T10:27:54","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T04:57:54","slug":"chief-justice-of-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/chief-justice-of-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Chief Justice of India, List from 1950-2026, Tenure, Appointment process"},"content":{"rendered":"

The <\/span>Chief Justice of India (CJI)<\/b> 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\u2019s establishment on 26 January 1950, a total of 53 judges have served as Chief Justice of India.<\/span><\/p>\n

Justice <\/span>Surya Kant<\/b> is the current <\/span>Chief Justice of India 2026. <\/b>He assumed office on <\/span>24 November 2025<\/b>, with a tenure marked by his focus on constitutional rights and judicial reforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chief Justice of India<\/b><\/h2>\n

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\u2019s functioning, allocation of cases, and judicial appointments while guiding the overall direction of India\u2019s legal framework. Justice <\/span>Surya Kant<\/b>, serving as the <\/span>53rd CJI of India 2026<\/b>, is known for his balanced and rights-oriented judicial approach. He is set to lead the judiciary through a <\/span>15-month tenure<\/b>, which will conclude on <\/span>9 February 2027<\/b>, upon reaching the age of retirement.<\/span><\/p>\n

List of Chief Justice of India from 1950-2026<\/b><\/h2>\n

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\u2019s judicial system. Below is the complete List of Chief Justice of India from 1950-2026:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
List of Chief Justice of India from 1950-2026<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

S. No.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Name<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Date of Appointment<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Date of Retirement<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Term<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

53<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Surya Kant<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

24\/11\/2025<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

09\/02\/2027<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15-month<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

52<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

14\/05\/2025<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

23\/11\/2025<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6 months 10 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

51<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Sanjiv Khanna<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11\/11\/2024<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13\/05\/2025<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6 months 2 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

50<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice DY Chandrachud<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

09\/11\/2022<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10\/11\/2024<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2 years 1 day<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

49<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice UU Lalit<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

27\/08\/2022<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

08\/11\/2022<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2 months 12 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

48<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

24\/04\/2021<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

26\/08\/2022<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 4 months 2 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

47<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Sharad Arvind Bobde<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

18\/11\/2019<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

23\/04\/2021<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 5 months 5 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

46<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Ranjan Gogoi<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

03\/10\/2018<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17\/11\/2019<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 1 month 14 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

45<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Dipak Misra<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

28\/08\/2017<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

02\/10\/2018<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 1 month 5 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

44<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

04\/01\/2017<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

27\/08\/2017<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7 months 23 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

43<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice T. S. Thakur<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

03\/12\/2015<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

03\/01\/2017<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 1 month<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

42<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice H.L. Dattu<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

28\/09\/2014<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

02\/12\/2015<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 2 months 5 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

41<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice R. M. Lodha<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

27\/04\/2014<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

27\/09\/2014<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5 months<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

40<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice P. Sathasivam<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

19\/07\/2013<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

26\/04\/2014<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9 months 7 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

39<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Altamas Kabir<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

29\/09\/2012<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

18\/07\/2013<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9 months 19 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

38<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice S.H. Kapadia<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12\/05\/2010<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

28\/09\/2012<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2 years 4 months 16 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

37<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice K.G. Balakrishnan<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

14\/01\/2007<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12\/05\/2010<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3 years 3 months<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

36<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Y.K. Sabharwal<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01\/11\/2005<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13\/01\/2007<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 2 months 13 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

35<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice R.C. Lahoti<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01\/06\/2004<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

31\/10\/2005<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 5 months<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

34<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice S. Rajendra Babu<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

02\/05\/2004<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

31\/05\/2004<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

29 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

33<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice V.N. Khare<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

19\/12\/2002<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01\/05\/2004<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 4 months 13 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

32<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice G.B. Pattanaik<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

08\/11\/2002<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

18\/12\/2002<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 month 10 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

31<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice B.N. Kirpal<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

06\/05\/2002<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

07\/11\/2002<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6 months 1 day<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

30<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice S.P. Bharucha<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01\/11\/2001<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

05\/05\/2002<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6 months 4 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

29<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Dr. Justice A.S. Anand<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10\/10\/1998<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

31\/10\/2001<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3 years 21 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

28<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice M.M. Punchhi<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

18\/01\/1998<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

09\/10\/1998<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8 months 22 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

27<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice J.S. Verma<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25\/03\/1997<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17\/01\/1998<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9 months 23 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

26<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice A.M. Ahmadi<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25\/10\/1994<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

24\/03\/1997<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2 years 5 months<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

25<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12\/02\/1993<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

24\/10\/1994<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 8 months 12 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

24<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice L.M. Sharma<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

18\/11\/1992<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11\/02\/1993<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2 months 24 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

23<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice M.H. Kania<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13\/12\/1991<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17\/11\/1992<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11 months 4 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

22<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice K.N. Singh<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25\/11\/1991<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12\/12\/1991<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

21<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Ranganath Misra<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25\/09\/1990<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

24\/11\/1991<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 2 months<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

20<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Sabyasachi Mukherjee<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

18\/12\/1989<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25\/09\/1990<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9 months 7 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

19<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice E.S. Venkataramiah<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

19\/06\/1989<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17\/12\/1989<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6 months 29 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

18<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice R.S. Pathak<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

21\/12\/1986<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

18\/06\/1989<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2 years 5 months 28 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

17<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice P.N. Bhagwati<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12\/07\/1985<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

20\/12\/1986<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 5 months 8 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

16<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Y.V. Chandrachud<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

22\/02\/1978<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11\/07\/1985<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7 years 4 months 19 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

15<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice M. Hameedullah Beg<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

29\/01\/1977<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

21\/02\/1978<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 23 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

14<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice A.N. Ray<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

26\/04\/1973<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

28\/01\/1977<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3 years 9 months 2 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

13<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice S.M. Sikri<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

22\/01\/1971<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25\/04\/1973<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2 years 3 months 3 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

12<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice J.C. Shah<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17\/12\/1970<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

21\/01\/1971<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 month 4 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice M. Hidayatullah<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25\/02\/1968<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

16\/12\/1970<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2 years 9 months 21 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice K.N. Wanchoo<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12\/04\/1967<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

24\/02\/1968<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10 months 12 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

9<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice K. Subba Rao<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30\/06\/1966<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11\/04\/1967<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9 months 12 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice A.K. Sarkar<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

16\/03\/1966<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

29\/06\/1966<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3 months 13 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice P.B. Gajendragadkar<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01\/02\/1964<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15\/03\/1966<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2 years 1 month 14 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Bhuvneshwar Prasad Sinha<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01\/10\/1959<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

31\/01\/1964<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4 years 3 months<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Sudhi Ranjan Das<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

01\/02\/1956<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30\/09\/1959<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3 years 7 months 29 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Bijan Kumar Mukherjea<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

23\/12\/1954<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

31\/01\/1956<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 1 month 8 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Mehr Chand Mahajan<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

04\/01\/1954<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

22\/12\/1954<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11 months 18 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice M. Patanjali Sastri<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

07\/11\/1951<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

03\/01\/1954<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2 years 1 month 27 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Justice Harilal Jekisundas Kania<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

26\/01\/1950<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

06\/11\/1951<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1 year 9 months 11 days<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

First Chief Justice of India<\/b><\/h2>\n

Justice Harilal Jekisundas Kania, popularly known as H. J. Kania, was the first Chief Justice of India.<\/b> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Current Chief Justice of India<\/b><\/h2>\n

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

Justice Surya Kant was born on 10 February 1962 in Hisar, Haryana<\/b>. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Notable Judgments by Chief Justice Surya Kant:<\/b><\/p>\n