Justice BV Nagarathna: The shortest reign, the longest wait-first woman CJI

Justice BV Nagarathna is set to create history in September 2027 as the first woman Chief Justice of India, 75 years after the Supreme Court's establishment. Despite her historic elevation, her tenure as CJI will last just 36 days, making it the third-shortest in India’s judicial history. Only Justices Kamal Narain Singh (17 days) and S Rajendra Babu (29 days) served shorter terms.

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Her appointment follows the unwritten seniority rule, where the senior-most judge is elevated regardless of how long they will serve. While this tradition ensures fairness in succession, it often results in very short terms at the top.

Justice Nagarathna’s elevation will also mark a unique legacy,her father, Justice ES Venkataramiah, was the 19th Chief Justice of India, making them the second-ever father-child duo to hold the post.

Currently one of only two women judges on the Supreme Court bench, she has already achieved the longest tenure for any woman judge in SC history, six years and two months. But women still make up only 14% of High Court judges, and unless structural changes are made, gender representation at the top is unlikely to see rapid improvement.