Justice BR Gavai Sworn In as 52nd Chief Justice of India
Justice BR Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India by President Droupadi Murmu. He will have a tenure of over six months, until November 23, 2025. Justice Gavai is notably the first Buddhist CJI and the second from the Dalit community to hold the nation's highest judicial office. His appointment marks a significant moment for the Indian judiciary, commencing his term with an oath administered in Hindi.
Unpacked:
Justice BR Gavai is only the second Dalit and the first Buddhist to become Chief Justice of India, reflecting greater social representation in the judiciary. His rise from a modest background to the top judicial post highlights the impact of constitutional equality and the legacy of leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Justice Gavai began his legal career in 1985, serving on various benches in Maharashtra and later as a Supreme Court judge from 2019. He grew up in a semi-slum area and is the son of R.S. Gavai, a prominent Ambedkarite leader and former governor of Bihar and Kerala, with strong ties to social activism and the Congress party.
The first Dalit Chief Justice of India was Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, who served from January 2007 to May 2010. His appointment was a landmark for social representation in the Indian judiciary and Justice Gavai is the first Scheduled Caste judge in the Supreme Court in nine years since Balakrishnan's retirement.
Justice Gavai's tenure as Chief Justice will last a little over six months, until his retirement on November 23, 2025. By convention, the outgoing Chief Justice recommends their successor to the Union Law Ministry, which then formalizes the appointment through the President of India.