Justice Surya Kant takes oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI), marking the beginning of his 14-month tenure in the country's highest judicial office. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Justice Kant, who succeeds incumbent CJI Bhushan R. Gavai. The President had earlier appointed Justice Surya Kant as the next Chief Justice of India "in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution", following the recommendation of CJI Gavai.