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Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as India’s 52nd Chief Justice on May 14, 2025, succeeding DY Chandrachud. His oath marks a milestone in representation at the top of the judiciary.
He is the first person from the Buddhist community to serve as Chief Justice of India, making the event socially significant and historically symbolic.
Gavai is only the second Dalit Chief Justice, after Justice KG Balakrishnan who served from 2007 to 2010, reflecting greater inclusion in top legal positions.
The oath was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in presence of PM Modi, Vice President Dhankhar, and senior Supreme Court judges.
He began his career as a judge in Bombay High Court in 2003, was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019, and is known for key verdicts.
Justice Gavai will serve as CJI till November 23, 2025, giving him just over six months to head the judiciary and lead constitutional benches.
In earlier interviews, Gavai has stressed commitment to the Constitution and Dr. Ambedkar’s ideals of social justice and equality through legal reforms as reported by Live Law.