The senior most Supreme Court Judge, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, was sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India by President Droupadi Mumru in a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on 11 November 2024. Justice Sanjiv Khanna succeeded Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, who demitted office on 10 November 2024.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal, former Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Term of the Chief Justice of India

The Constitution of India doesn't mention the term of the Chief Justice of India or the other judges of the Supreme Court. Article 124(2) of the constitution says that they will hold office until they attain the age of 65.

The Chief Justice or the judges of the Supreme Court can resign by addressing their resignation letter to the President of India. The president can also remove them from their office after Parliament passes a resolution for their removal with a special majority.

Thus, Justice Sanjiv Khanna will retire on 13 May 2025, when he will be 65 years old.

Appointment of the Chief Justice of India

Article 124(2) mentions the procedure for appointing Supreme Court judges. The Constitution empowers the President to appoint Supreme Court judges (Chief Justice and other judges).

While choosing the Chief Justice of India, the President can consult;

Judges of the Supreme Court and
Judges of the High Court.

The Supreme Court's senior judge is appointed as India's Chief Justice by convention.

Procedure followed in the appointment of CJI

The process of appointing the next Chief Justice in India is started by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice. It first approaches the outgoing Chief Justice of India and asks for its recommendation for the appointment of the next Chief Justice of India. By convention, the Chief Justice of India recommends the name of the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court to the ministry.

The recommended name is forwarded by the ministry to the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister advises the President to appoint the recommended Judge as the next Chief Justice of India, and the President then issues an official notification to that effect.

About CJI Justice Sanjiv Khanna

Justice Sanjiv Khanna started his career as a lawyer in 1983 at the Tis Hazari Court in New Delhi. He was appointed as an additional judge of the Delhi High Court in 2005 and a permanent judge in 2006.

On 18th January 2019, Justice Khanna was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court and its Chief Justice

On 28 January 1950, the Supreme Court of India formally came into existence, succeeding the Federal Court, which was set up under the Government of India Act 1935.

1st Chief Justice of India- H.J.Kania

The 16th Chief Justice of India, Yeshwant Vishnu Chandrachud, is the longest-serving Chief Justice of India. He was Chief Justice of India for over 7 years (February 1978 – July 1985).

The 22nd Chief Justice of India, Kamal Narain Singh, is the shortest-serving Chief Justice. He was the Chief Justice of India for 17 days (25 November 1991 – 12 December 1991).