Chief Justice of India Justice S.A. Bobde has recommended Supreme Court judge Justice N.V. Ramana as his successor in keeping with convention and norms of seniority, news reports said.

Justice Bobde’s recommendation marks the start of the process for appointment of the next CJI by the President.

As per norms, a written communication from the incumbent Chief Justice is sent a month before his retirement. 

Justice Bobde is due to retire on April 23.

Process for appointment of CJI

• The Chief Justice of India and the judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President under clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution.

• Appointment to the office of the Chief Justice of India should be of the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the office. 

• The Union minister of law, justice and company affairs would, at the appropriate time, seek the recommendation of the outgoing Chief Justice of India for the appointment of the next Chief Justice of India.

• Whenever there is any doubt about the fitness of the senior-most Judge to hold the office of the Chief Justice of India, consultation with other judges as envisaged in Article 124(2) of the Constitution would be made for appointment of the next Chief Justice of India.

• After receipt of the recommendation of the Chief Justice of India, the Union minister of law, justice and company affairs will put up the recommendation to the Prime Minister who will advise the President in the matter of appointment.

Justice Ramana set to take over as 48th CJI

• If the recommendation is approved by the government, Justice Ramana will take charge as the 48th Chief Justice of India on April 24. 

• Born on August 27, 1957 in Ponnavaram village of Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district, Justice Ramana was enrolled as an advocate on February 10, 1983.

• He was appointed as a permanent judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on June 27, 2000 and functioned as acting Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court from March 10, 2013 to May 20, 2013.

• Justice Ramana was elevated as the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court on September 2, 2013 and later as a Judge of the Supreme Court on February 17, 2014.

• Justice Ramana is due to retire on August 26, 2022.

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