Key Highlights
- First Chief Justice from the Buddhist community.
- Second Dalit Chief Justice following K.G. Balakrishnan.
- Appointed on 14 May 2025, serving until 23 Nov 2025.
- Over 14 years on the Bombay High Court before elevation to the Supreme Court (2019‑2025).
- Part of a trio of Scheduled Caste judges in the Supreme Court as of January 2025.
Detailed Insights
Early life and education – Born on 24 November 1960 in Amravati, he pursued schooling in local municipal institutions before advancing to commerce and law studies at Amravati University. His legal career commenced in 1985.
Judicial trajectory – From 1987 to 1990 he practiced before the Bombay High Court, later serving at the Nagpur Bench. He acted as standing counsel for varied government entities, culminating in roles as Assistant Government Pleader, Public Prosecutor, and eventually Government Pleader for the Nagpur Bench in 2000.
High Court appointment – Elevated to the Bombay High Court as an additional judge on 14 November 2003, he became a permanent judge on 12 November 2005, where he remained for fourteen years.
Supreme Court tenure – Appointed to the Supreme Court of India on 24 May 2019, he served until 13 May 2025 before being appointed Chief Justice on 14 May 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu.
Historical significance – Gavai’s appointment marked the first time the Supreme Court had two Buddhists on its bench simultaneously (the other being Justice Prasanna Varale) and exemplified the gradual diversification of India’s apex judiciary.