Justice Surya Kant stands as one of the most prominent figures in Indian jurisprudence, having taken oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. From his humble beginnings as a small-town advocate in Haryana to holding the highest judicial office in the country, his career trajectory is a remarkable story of dedication to constitutional law. He remains widely discussed today for his pivotal bench rulings on constitutional rights, judicial reforms, and key national matters.
Justice Surya Kant Biography
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Justice Surya Kant Sharma |
| Known As / Nickname | Justice Kant |
| Date of Birth | February 10, 1962 |
| Age | 64 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Petwar, Hisar district, Haryana, India |
| Hometown | Petwar, Hisar district, Haryana, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism (Reported) |
| Ethnicity | Indian |
| Height | Approx. 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 72 kg (159 lbs) (Estimated) |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black (Now Grey due to age) |
| Profession | Jurist, Chief Justice of India |
| Current Position | Chief Justice of India |
| Education | Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) |
| Alma Mater | Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak |
| Debut / Career Milestone | Began legal practice as an Advocate at the District Court, Hisar (1984) |
| Years Active | 1984 – Present |
| Known For | Constitutional law, judicial reforms, landmark Supreme Court judgments, public interest litigation |
| Languages Known | Hindi, English, Punjabi |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse / Relationship Status | Married |
| Children | Not Publicly Disclosed |
| Father's Name | Not Publicly Disclosed |
| Mother's Name | Not Publicly Disclosed |
| Residence | New Delhi, India |
| Net Worth (Approx.) | Estimated ₹5 Crore – ₹10 Crore (Public servant disclosures) |
| Income Source | Judicial salary, government allowances, retirement benefits, and other official entitlements |
| Salary | As per Government of India norms for the Chief Justice of India |
| Awards & Honours | Various judicial recognitions and constitutional appointments |
| Hobbies | Reading law journals, public service, mentoring young lawyers |
| Favourite Quote | "Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done." (Widely associated judicial principle) |
| Social Media Presence | No official personal social media accounts publicly known |
| Current Status | Serving in the Indian judiciary |
Early Life And Family
Born into a middle-class family in Petwar village within Haryana’s Hisar district, Surya Kant grew up in an environment that prioritized learning and civic duty. His father, Madan Gopal Sharma, was a Sanskrit teacher whose emphasis on discipline and academic rigor shaped his early years.
Surya Kant completed his undergraduate studies in Geography at Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, in 1981. He went on to pursue a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from Maharishi Dayanand University in Rohtak, graduating in 1984. Driven by a desire for deeper legal expertise, he later earned his Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Kurukshetra University in 2011, securing the "First Class First" distinction.
Career
Surya Kant began his career in 1984 at the District Court of Hisar. Recognizing broader opportunities, he moved his practice to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh in 1985. Focusing primarily on civil, service, and constitutional matters, he quickly earned a reputation as a meticulous litigator.
- Historic Appointment as Advocate General: On July 7, 2000, at just 38 years old, he became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana. Shortly thereafter, in March 2001, he was designated as a Senior Advocate.
- High Court Bench Elevation: He was elevated as a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9, 2004. During his 14-year tenure there, he delivered significant rulings on public land protection, environmental conservation, and service laws.
- Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court: On October 5, 2018, he took oath as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.
- Supreme Court Elevation & Chief Justice of India: On May 24, 2019, he was elevated to the Supreme Court of India. His judicial journey reached its zenith on November 24, 2025, when he took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. Over his Supreme Court career, he served on key benches handling major cases—including the landmark rulings on the abrogation of Article 370 and the suspension of the colonial-era sedition law.
Lifestyle
As a member of the higher judiciary, Justice Surya Kant’s financial disclosures reflect standard constitutional public office salaries, allowances, and modest personal savings accumulated over four decades in law and public service. His estimated net worth falls in the range of ₹5 Crore to ₹10 Crore, comprised primarily of residential property and official retirement entitlements.
He maintains a simple, intellectual lifestyle centered around legal scholarship, institutional duties, and public service. Rather than corporate endorsements or luxury assets, his focus remains heavily committed to judicial administrative work, including serving as Patron-in-Chief of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
Lesser-Known Facts & Trivia
- Youngest State Law Officer: He holds the distinct record of becoming Haryana's youngest Advocate General in July 2000.
- Top Academic Ranker as a Sitting Judge: While serving as a High Court judge, he completed his Master's in Law via distance education in 2011 and topped the entire university with a "First Class First" rank.
- Environmental Rights Pioneer: He authored a notable ruling establishing that public water bodies like village ponds cannot be destroyed or converted, declaring them protected public utilities under Article 21.
- Two Terms at NALSA: He was nominated to the Governing Body of the National Legal Services Authority for two consecutive terms between 2007 and 2011 to help expand free legal aid across rural India.
- Deep Roots in Education: Coming from a family of educators, he regularly supports legal education and serves as the ex-officio President of the Indian Law Institute.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Justice Surya Kant?
Justice Surya Kant is an Indian jurist who currently serves as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. Before his appointment to the Supreme Court, he served as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and a judge on the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Where was Justice Surya Kant born?
He was born in Petwar village, located in the Hisar district of Haryana, India.
When will Justice Surya Kant retire as CJI?
Justice Surya Kant is scheduled to retire on February 9, 2027, upon attaining the constitutional retirement age of 65 years.
What are Justice Surya Kant's educational qualifications?
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, an LL.B. from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, and an LL.M. from Kurukshetra University.