Chief Justices of India After Surya Kant: First Woman CJI and Judges Set for Longer Tenures

As Chief Justice of India Surya Kant continues his tenure, attention is gradually turning towards the future leadership of the Supreme Court and the judges expected to occupy the country’s highest judicial office over the coming years.

Justice Surya Kant, who took oath as the Chief Justice of India on November 24, 2025, is scheduled to retire on February 9, 2027. He is expected to be succeeded by Justice Vikram Nath on February 10, 2027, followed by Justice B.V. Nagarathna, who is set to create history as India’s first woman Chief Justice.

Justice Vikram Nath: A Short Tenure Ahead

Justice Vikram Nath, born on September 24, 1962, is expected to serve as the next CJI for around 226 days before retiring in September 2027. He began his legal career at the Allahabad High Court and later served as Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court.

Justice Nath has been associated with several important Supreme Court decisions, including recent rulings concerning stray animals and criminal sentencing. He was also among the judges involved in laying down directions concerning cases where the death penalty may be imposed, emphasising the need to consider both aggravating and mitigating circumstances.

Justice B.V. Nagarathna: India's First Woman Chief Justice

Justice B.V. Nagarathna is expected to take over as the first woman Chief Justice of India in September 2027. However, her tenure is expected to last only 36 days before her retirement in October that year.

Despite the brief tenure, Justice Nagarathna has earned recognition for her independent judicial approach. She was the sole dissenting judge in the Supreme Court's 2023 verdict upholding the legality of the 2016 demonetisation exercise, arguing that such a significant decision required parliamentary legislation rather than an executive notification.

Justice P.S. Narasimha: From Senior Advocate to CJI

Justice P.S. Narasimha is expected to become CJI in October 2027. A senior advocate before joining the Supreme Court, his elevation represents the relatively rare journey of a lawyer rising directly from legal practice to the country's highest judicial office.

His expected tenure is around 186 days, lasting until May 2028.

Justice J.B. Pardiwala: Set for a Longer Tenure

Justice J.B. Pardiwala is expected to take over as CJI in May 2028 and serve for approximately 831 days. His tenure would be longer than that of former Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who served for about two years.

The extended tenure could give Justice Pardiwala greater scope to influence judicial administration, case management and the functioning of Constitution Benches.

Justice K.V. Viswanathan and Beyond

Justice K.V. Viswanathan is expected to become CJI in August 2030 and serve for around 287 days. He would be among the rare Chief Justices who rose directly from the Bar.

The succession list also includes Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, highlighting a diverse mix of judges with different professional backgrounds and varying tenures.

With India's first woman Chief Justice expected in 2027 and several judges likely to receive longer tenures thereafter, the coming years could mark an important period in the evolution of the Supreme Court's leadership.