In a momentous ceremony steeped in symbolism and history, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) today at the Ganatantra Mandap in Rashtrapati Bhavan. The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at 10:00 AM IST, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and senior members of the judiciary in attendance.
Justice Gavai’s elevation is historically significant—he is the first Buddhist and only the second judge from the Scheduled Castes (Dalit) community to assume the role of India’s top judge, following the tenure of Justice K.G. Balakrishnan (2007–2010). The ceremony venue, recently renamed from Durbar Hall to Ganatantra Mandap to better reflect India’s republican values, featured national flags and a statue of Lord Buddha, symbolizing Justice Gavai’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai began practicing law in 1985 and served with distinction as a judge of the Bombay High Court. He was elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019. His appointment comes after the retirement of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, and his tenure is set to continue until November 23, 2025.
Justice Gavai has contributed significantly to constitutional jurisprudence. He was part of a seven-judge Constitution bench that, in a 6:1 verdict, upheld the power of states to make sub-classifications within Scheduled Castes for reservation purposes—a landmark judgment in India’s affirmative action framework.
His swearing-in also marks a milestone for inclusivity in the judiciary, with three Scheduled Caste judges currently serving on the Supreme Court bench: Justice Gavai, Justice C.T. Ravikumar, and Justice Prasanna Varale—the highest ever in the Court’s history.
Coming from a politically active family, Justice Gavai is the son of R.S. Gavai, a former Member of Parliament, Governor, and leader of the Republican Party of India (Gavai faction). His brother, Rajendra Gavai, is also a prominent political figure. Deeply inspired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s philosophy, Justice Gavai’s rise is being celebrated across the nation as a milestone for social justice and democratic inclusion.
As the new Chief Justice, Justice Gavai is expected to bring a renewed focus on equity, constitutional values, and institutional accessibility. The legal fraternity and public alike are hopeful that his leadership will further strengthen the judiciary’s commitment to justice and uphold the foundational principles of the Indian Constitution.
