Justice Sanjiv Khanna Appointed as 51st Chief Justice of India
Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been officially appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI), succeeding the incumbent.
2-Minute Summary (TL;DR)
- Justice Sanjiv Khanna appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI).
- He succeeds Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who retired on November 11, 2024.
- The appointment follows the established seniority convention for CJI selection.
- Justice Khanna was elevated to the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019.
- His tenure is expected to focus on reducing case pendency and enhancing judicial efficiency.
- The e-Courts project is likely to see further implementation under his leadership.
- Article 124(2) of the Constitution governs the appointment of Supreme Court judges.
- Justice Khanna's term as CJI is approximately 1 year and 2 months, concluding in May 2026.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 4–6 | Questions on constitutional amendments, Parliament, and schemes appear in every SSC paper. |
| UPSC / State PCS | Very High | 15–25 | Polity is a core UPSC subject. Both Prelims and Mains test constitutional provisions in depth. |
| Railway (RRB NTPC / Group D) | High | 3–5 | Government schemes and constitutional bodies are standard Railway GK questions. |
Key Facts to Remember: Justice Sanjiv Khanna Appointed as 51st Chief Justice of India
- Justice Sanjiv Khanna appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India (CJI).
- He succeeds Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who retired on November 11, 2024.
- The appointment follows the established seniority convention for CJI selection.
- Justice Khanna was elevated to the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019.
- His tenure is expected to focus on reducing case pendency and enhancing judicial efficiency.
- The e-Courts project is likely to see further implementation under his leadership.
- Article 124(2) of the Constitution governs the appointment of Supreme Court judges.
- Justice Khanna's term as CJI is approximately 1 year and 2 months, concluding in May 2026.
Practice Questions
Q1. Who has been appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India?
- Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
- Justice Sanjiv Khanna
- Justice Hrishikesh Roy
- Justice Abhay S. Oka
Explanation: Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been officially appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India, succeeding Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
Q2. Which article of the Indian Constitution is primarily related to the appointment of Supreme Court judges, including the Chief Justice of India?
- Article 124(1)
- Article 124(2)
- Article 125
- Article 126
Explanation: Article 124(2) of the Constitution of India outlines the process for the appointment of judges of the Supreme Court, which includes the Chief Justice of India, involving consultation between the President and senior judges.
Q3. What is the convention traditionally followed for the appointment of the Chief Justice of India?
- Appointment of the seniormost judge of the High Courts
- Appointment based on seniority of puisne judges of the Supreme Court
- Appointment through a direct election by Parliament
- Appointment based on recommendations from the Bar Council of India
Explanation: The established convention in India is to appoint the seniormost puisne judge of the Supreme Court as the next Chief Justice of India, ensuring continuity and stability.
Q4. Justice Sanjiv Khanna succeeded which former Chief Justice of India?
- Justice U.U. Lalit
- Justice N.V. Ramana
- Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
- Justice S.A. Bobde
Explanation: Justice Sanjiv Khanna assumed the role of the 51st Chief Justice of India following the retirement of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
Q5. Which of the following is a key focus area expected during Justice Sanjiv Khanna's tenure as CJI?
- Reducing the pendency of cases in the higher judiciary
- Increasing the retirement age of Supreme Court judges
- Establishing new High Courts across all states
- Reducing the number of judges in the Supreme Court
Explanation: Justice Sanjiv Khanna's tenure as CJI is anticipated to prioritize reducing the significant backlog of cases in the Indian judicial system and enhancing overall judicial efficiency.
How to Prepare Indian Polity & Governance for Government Exams — Justice Sanjiv Khanna Appointed as 51st Chief Jus…
Map every news item to an Article or provision in the Constitution. This is what UPSC Prelims directly tests.
For SSC and Railway, focus on the practical side — who appoints whom, term lengths, and what each body does.
Note the date and context of any constitutional amendment or ordinance. Questions are often framed around the 'first time' or 'most recent' event.
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