Justice Gavai
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Justice BR Gavai, who may take over as CJI next month, is due for retirement on November 23, 2025. File photo

Who is Justice BR Gavai, set to become next Chief Justice of India?

Incumbent CJI Sanjeev Khanna, who retires next month, has recommended Gavai as his successor


Justice BR Gavai, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, is all set to become the next Chief Justice of India (CJI) as the incumbent CJI Sanjeev Khanna on Wednesday (April 16) recommended him as his successor.

Justice Gavai will become the 52nd Chief Justice of India and will take oath on May 14, reported The Times of India. He will be administered the oath of office by President Draupadi Murmu.

Early life and career

Born on November 24, 1960 in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai started his legal career on March 16, 1985. He worked with Raja S Bhonsale, former Advocate General and Judge of High Court, till 1987.

He practised mainly before the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court after 1990 and practised in constitutional law and administrative law.

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Justice Gvai also worked as the Standing Counsel for Municipal Corporation of Nagpur, Amravati Municipal Corporation and Amravati University, states the Supreme Court website.

He also regularly appeared as counsel for autonomous bodies and corporations like SICOM, DCVL etc. and various Municipal Councils in Vidarbha region.

Justice Gavai was appointed as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor in the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court in August, 1992 and held the post till July, 1993.

Elevated to SC judge

He had also served as the Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor for Nagpur Bench. He was elevated as Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on November 12, 2003. He became a permanent judge on November 12, 2005. He was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019.

Justice Gavai has taken part in several landmark judgments including upholding the Centre’s decision of demonetisation and the Supreme Court declaring electoral bonds as unconstitutional.

He is due to retire on November 23, 2025.

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