CJI-Designate Justice Surya Kant stated today that once he assumes office, addressing the heavy case backlog and strengthening mediation mechanisms will be among his foremost objectives.

Speaking at a media briefing held at his residence, Justice Kant emphasised that the growing pendency of cases in courts—arising from multiple systemic reasons—will feature prominently on the Supreme Court’s strategic agenda. He further remarked that the country must place stronger emphasis on mediation as a dispute-resolution tool and expand dedicated mediation centres across India.

Justice Surya Kant will be sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on November 24, and his tenure will extend until February 9, 2027.

Born on February 10, 1962 in Petwar village, District Hisar, Haryana, Justice Kant obtained his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak in 1984 and began practicing in the District Courts of Hisar. In 1985, he moved to the Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, focusing on Constitutional, Service, and Civil litigation. On July 7, 2000, he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana and was designated Senior Advocate. He was elevated as a Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004.

He served on the Governing Body of NALSA from 2007 to 2011 and completed his Master’s in Law with First Class First in 2011. Later, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on October 5, 2018, and elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019. Since May 14, 2025, he has been the Executive Chairman of NALSA and is actively associated with various committees of the Indian Law Institute.