The Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the highest-ranking judge in the country and the head of the Indian judiciary system who controls the functions of the Supreme Court. As of November 24, 2025, Justice Surya Kant is the 53rd and current Chief Justice of India.
The Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the highest-ranking judge in the country and the head of the Indian judiciary system. Currently, the Chief Justice of India is Surya Kant. He serves as the head of the Supreme Court, which is the highest judicial body in India, controls special cases and appoints constitutional benches. The basic monthly salary of the Chief Justice of India is ₹2,80,000 along with many financial perks such as rent-free residence, free medical care, and post-retirement benefits. However, he serves a very serious role by managing the court, allocating cases, overseeing the High Court and deciding the composition of judicial benches.
To become the Chief Justice of India (CJI), an individual must be a citizen of India, serve as a judge in the High Court, practice as an advocate for at least ten years and be a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President. However, the outgoing Chief Justice usually recommends the succeeding individual, and the President officially appoints them as per Article 124(2) of the Indian Constitution. The tenure of the Chief Justice of India is until the age 65. There is no minimum age prescribed by the Constitution for appointment as the Chief Justice.
Who is Chief Justice of India (CJI)?
The Chief Justice of India is the highest-ranking officer of the Indian judiciary system and the head of the Supreme Court of India. As the administrative and judicial head, the Chief Justice of India controls the functions of the Supreme Court, allocates cases and appoints constitutional benches. He is appointed by the President of India and recommended by the ongoing or preceding Chief Justice and serves until the age of 65. As of November 24, 2025, Justice Surya Kant is the 53rd and current Chief Justice of India (CJI). He succeeded Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai and is expected to hold office until his retirement on February 9, 2027. He was appointed by Indian President Droupadi Murmu and leads the Supreme Court of India.
Eligibility Criteria to become Chief Justice of India?
To become the Chief Justice of India, an individual must meet the constitutional eligibility criteria for a Supreme Court judge as per Article 124(3) of the Constitution of India. Let’s take a look at the eligibility criteria to become the Chief Justice of India: -
Citizenship and Qualifications
The individual must be a citizen of India. He should have served as the judge of a High Court for at least five years, along with practising as an advocate in a High Court for at least ten years. He should also be a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President.
The Seniority Convention
The outgoing Chief Justice usually recommends the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court as their successor. However, seniority is determined by the duration of service as a judge in the Supreme Court and not by age.
Appointment Process
The President of India officially appoints the Chief Justice of India as per Article 124(2). The Union Law Minister initiates the process by seeking a recommendation from the outgoing Chief Justice. This recommendation is forwarded to the Prime Minister, who then advises the President.
Tenure and Retirement
The Chief Justice of India holds office until the age of 65 years. There is no minimum age provided by the Constitution of India for appointment as a Supreme Court Judge or Chief Justice of India.
Salary of the Chief Justice of India
The Chief Justice of India receives a monthly basic salary of ₹2,80,000. The CJI's salary is fixed by the Parliament of India as per Article 125 of the Constitution and is charged from the Consolidated Fund of India. He also gets a house rent allowance, furnishing allowance and sumptuary allowance. Let’s take a look at the salary of the Chief Justice of India: -
- Monthly Basic Salary: ₹2,80,000
- Sumptuary Allowance: ₹45,000 per month is provided to cover expenses for entertaining visitors.
- House Rent Allowance: House rent allowance is 24% of the basic salary if not using government accommodation.
- Furnishing Allowance: A one-time amount of ₹10,00,000 is provided for official residence furnishing.
Role and Power of Chief Justice of India
The Chief Justice of India serves as both the judicial head and the administrative head of the country's highest court. He serves as the presiding officer over the most important cases, provides opinions to the President on crucial matters and allocates cases. Let’s take a look at the role and power of the Chief Justice of India: -
1. Presiding Officer
The Chief Justice of India serves as the presiding officer over the most important hearings, particularly those involving Constitution Benches, which require at least five judges tasked with interpreting substantial questions of law under Article 145(3).
2. First Among Equals
On the judicial side, the Chief Justice of India has no superior power over other judges, but their vote in a judgment carries the same weight as any other judge on the bench. This is done to ensure equality among judges.
3. Advisory Jurisdiction
The Chief Justice of India leads the court when it provides opinions to the President of India on matters of public importance or constitutional law as per Article 143. He is responsible for advisory jurisdiction and it holds significant legal weight.
4. Constitution of Benches
The Chief Justice of India decides which benches hear specific matters and sets up constitution benches, which typically consist of five, seven, or nine judges. They are formed to decide important questions of law related to the interpretation of the Constitution.
5. Allocation of Cases
Only the Chief Justice of India can decide which cases are allocated to which specific judges or benches. He holds absolute authority to mark sensitive or important cases to specific benches, and there can be no mistrust in their power to allocate cases.
6. Court Management
The Chief Justice of India oversees the Supreme Court registry, appoints court officials and manages the daily operational schedule of the court. By managing the court, the Chief Justice of India decides which cases will be heard by the constitution benches.
7. High Court Oversight
Only the Chief Justice of India leads the 3-member collegium for High Court judge appointments and transfers. They address complaints against the High Court to maintain integrity within the higher judiciary.
8. Judicial Appointments
Only the Chief Justice of India chairs the 5-member collegium, which includes the Chief Justice of India along with 4 senior-most judges, that recommends names for the Supreme Court. He is responsible for important judicial appointments.
Conclusion
The Chief Justice of India is the highest-ranking judge in the nation and serves as the highest authority in the Indian judiciary system. They have a tenure until age 65 and there is no minimum age requirement mentioned in the Indian Constitution to become the Chief Justice of India. The eligibility criteria of CJI are having Indian nationality, serving as the judge of a High Court for at least five years, practising as an advocate in a High Court for at least ten years and being a distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President. The Chief Justice of India is responsible for court management, allocation of cases, High Court Oversight, judicial appointments and advisory jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
As of November 24, 2025, Justice Surya Kant is the 53rd and current Chief Justice of India, who heads the Supreme Court, overseeing the nation’s judiciary and safeguarding constitutional interpretation and fundamental rights.
The Chief Justice of India is appointed by the President of India, based on seniority and recommendations, following established constitutional conventions and judicial practices in the country.
The first Chief Justice of India was H. J. Kania, who served from 1950 until his death in 1951. He played a key role in shaping India’s early judicial system. He was previously the Chief Justice of the Federal Court of India from 1947 to 1950
There has not yet been a female Chief Justice of India (CJI). However, Fathima Beevi was the first woman judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Becoming the Chief Justice of India (CJI) requires a distinguished legal career, typically starting with an LLB, followed by years of experience as a High Court judge or advocate, elevation to the Supreme Court, and finally becoming the senior-most judge.
The Chief Justice of India serves until the age of 65 years, as per the Constitution, regardless of appointment date, making tenure dependent on age at elevation to the Supreme Court of India.
The retirement age of the Chief Justice of India is 65 years, the same as that of other judges of the Supreme Court of India, as fixed by the Constitution of India.
The current Chief Justice of India is Surya Kant, who became the 53rd CJI on 24 November 2025 and heads the Indian judiciary.
India has had 53 Chief Justices so far, starting with H. J. Kania in 1950 up to the current Chief Justice Surya Kant, heading the Supreme Court of India.
The Chief Justice of India receives a salary of about ₹2,80,000 per month, along with allowances and benefits, as fixed under law for judges of the Supreme Court of India.