The New Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai pays floral tributes at the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar on reaching Supreme Court after the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in today as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office, marking a historic moment as Justice Gavai becomes the first Buddhist and only the second individual from the Scheduled Castes to hold the nation’s highest judicial position.
Following the swearing-in, Chief Justice Gavai proceeded to the Supreme Court, where he paid floral tributes to the statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. This gesture underscored his commitment to the principles of equality and justice championed by these iconic leaders.
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai embarked on his legal career in 1985. He was appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court in 2003 and elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019. Over his tenure, he has been part of approximately 700 benches and has authored around 300 judgments, covering a wide array of legal areas including constitutional law, civil and criminal law, and environmental law.
Justice Gavai succeeds Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who retired on May 13, 2025. His term as Chief Justice is expected to continue until his retirement on November 23, 2025, upon reaching the age of 65.
In his remarks prior to taking the oath, Justice Gavai emphasized his dedication to upholding social and political justice, aligning with Dr. Ambedkar’s ideals of equality and dignity for the marginalized.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and former President Ram Nath Kovind.
Justice Gavai’s appointment is seen as a significant step towards greater representation and inclusivity within the Indian judiciary.
