India Gets a New Chief Justice – BR Gavai

Today, Justice BR Gavai became the new Chief Justice of India. He is the 52nd person to hold this big job. What makes it extra special? He is the first Buddhist and only the second person from a Scheduled Caste to ever become Chief Justice in India!

He will do this job until November 23, 2025.

Who is Justice BR Gavai?

Justice Gavai was born in Amravati, Maharashtra, in 1960. He became a lawyer in 1985, and worked very hard in courts in Mumbai and Nagpur.

Slowly, he moved up. He became a judge in Bombay High Court in 2003, and in 2019, he was chosen to be a judge in the Supreme Court, the highest court in India.

Now, in 2025, he has become the top judge of the country!

What Has He Done as a Judge?

Justice Gavai has made decisions in some very important cases:

• He said removing Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir was legal.

• He said Electoral Bonds (a way to give money to political parties) were not fair.

• He said the government’s note ban (demonetisation) in 2016 was okay.

• He gave bail to activist Teesta Setalvad in a riot-related case.

• He paused Rahul Gandhi’s punishment in a defamation case.

• He also spoke against bulldozer demolitions that were done unfairly.

He has written almost 300 important decisions in his six years in the Supreme Court.

Why Is This Important?

Justice Gavai becoming Chief Justice is important because it shows that people from all backgrounds can reach big positions in India. He is the first Buddhist to become the top judge — this makes many people proud.

Many believe he will bring fairness, kindness, and strong decisions to the court.

What Will He Do Now?

Now that he is the Chief Justice, Justice Gavai will lead the Supreme Court. He will work on big legal matters and help make important rules and decisions for the country.

People are hoping that under his leadership, the court will be even more fair, fast, and helpful to everyone.