New Delhi: Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai has created histry by becoming the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI). His elevation is significant not only from a legal standpoint but also from a social and cultural perspective, as he is the first Buddhist and only the second person from a Scheduled Caste background to assume the highest judicial position in the country.
Swearing-In Ceremony with Dignitaries in Attendance
The oath of office was administered by President Droupadi Murmu in a ceremonial event on Wednesday, attended by top government officials including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Justice Gavai succeeds Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who retired on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
His tenure will span a little over six months, concluding on November 23, 2025, the day he turns 65, the mandatory retirement age for a Supreme Court judge.
Background and Journey: From Humble Roots to the Apex Court
Born on November 24, 1960, in Amravati, Maharashtra, Justice Gavai’s rise through the legal ranks is a story of perseverance and merit. He began his legal career on March 16, 1985, working under Raja S. Bhonsale, who later became Advocate General and a Bombay High Court judge.
Justice Gavai primarily practiced Constitutional and Administrative Law at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court. He served as standing counsel for major municipal bodies including the Municipal Corporation of Nagpur, Amravati Municipal Corporation, and Amravati University.
He was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court on November 14, 2003, and was confirmed as a Permanent Judge on November 12, 2005.
Elevation to the Supreme Court and Judicial Contributions
Justice Gavai was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on May 24, 2019. During his tenure, he has been part of several important Constitution benches, contributing to landmark judgments that have shaped Indian constitutional jurisprudence.
In December 2023, he was part of a five-judge bench that unanimously upheld the Centre’s abrogation of Article 370, which had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
He also participated in the bench that annulled the controversial electoral bonds scheme, citing it as unconstitutional in terms of political funding transparency.
A Voice for Social Justice and Affirmative Action
Justice Gavai has consistently acknowledged the role of affirmative action and the vision of Dr. B R Ambedkar in his personal and professional rise. At a speech delivered in April 2024, he candidly credited his achievements to constitutional protections and Ambedkar’s legacy:
“It is solely due to Dr B R Ambedkar’s efforts that someone like me, who studied in a semi-slum area at a municipal school, could attain this position.”
His speech ended with a powerful “Jai Bhim” chant, evoking a standing ovation from the audience — a rare moment in the judiciary’s public discourse and a powerful gesture of pride in his community and roots.
Representation and Milestone in the Judiciary
Justice Gavai’s appointment is a symbolic and substantive milestone. Since the inception of the Supreme Court in 1950, only seven judges from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities have served on the bench. With this elevation, he becomes only the second CJI from the Scheduled Caste community, after Justice K G Balakrishnan.
His leadership is expected to further inclusivity in India’s judicial ecosystem, and his brief yet potentially impactful tenure may influence the institutional tone for equity and constitutional integrity.
Justice Gavai’s ascent to the helm of India’s judiciary is more than a personal achievement — it is a testament to the ideals enshrined in the Indian Constitution and a powerful reminder of the possibilities created through affirmative action and democratic representation.
