Chief Justice of India: Justice Bhushan Gavai to Become 52nd CJI, Takes Oath Today

President Droupadi Murmu Administers Oath to First Buddhist CJI at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14, 2025. He is the first person from the Buddhist community and only the second Dalit to hold the highest judicial post in the country. The oath-taking ceremony was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath. Justice Gavai will serve as CJI until November 23, 2025, marking a significant moment in India's judicial and social history.

Justice Gavai will take oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India today. President Draupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office to him. Justice Gavai was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019. He was born on November 24 in Amravati, Maharashtra. He is the son of late R.S. Gavai who has been the Governor of Bihar and Kerala.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna retired on Tuesday, May 13 and handed over his charge to senior Supreme Court judge Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna (BR) Gavai. Justice Gavai will take oath as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on Wednesday, May 14. President Draupadi Murmu will administer the oath of office to him.

As per the prescribed procedure, his name was recommended to the Central Government by Chief Justice Khanna on April 16. Justice Gavai will have a tenure of six months and will demit office on December 23 on attaining the age of 65 years. He is the most senior judge of the Supreme Court after the current Chief Justice Khanna.

Born on November 24, 1960 in Amravati, Justice Gavai was promoted as an additional judge of the Bombay High Court on November 14, 2003. He became a permanent judge of the High Court on November 12, 2005. Justice Gavai has been a part of many constitutional benches in the Supreme Court, which have given many important verdicts.