Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, on April 16, officially recommended the Central Government to appoint Justice BR Gavai as the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI).

"With this recommendation, Justice BR Gavai is set to become the next Chief Justice of India after Justice Sanjiv Khanna retires."

Once appointed, Justice BR Gavai will become the second CJI from the Scheduled Caste community, following Justice KG Balakrishnan, who held the position before retiring in 2010.

Justice Khanna is currently serving as the 51st Chief Justice of India and is scheduled to retire on May 13, 2025, after a brief tenure of around seven months.

"Justice Sanjiv Khanna assumed office as the 51st Chief Justice of India on November 10, 2024."

Justice Khanna was earlier a judge of the Delhi High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019.

If appointed, Justice BR Gavai will hold the position of CJI until his retirement on November 23, 2025.