Who is the 51st Chief Justice?
Asked by: Gregorio Abernathy | Last update: February 10, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (58 votes)
The 51st Chief Justice refers to Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who was sworn in as the Chief Justice of India (CJI) on November 11, 2024, succeeding Justice DY Chandrachud and serving a brief tenure until May 13, 2025, before being succeeded by Justice BR Gavai.
Can the president remove the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
No, the President cannot fire the Chief Justice or any Supreme Court Justice; they hold office during "good Behavior," meaning life tenure, and can only be removed through the impeachment process by Congress (House impeaches, Senate convicts). This lifetime appointment ensures judicial independence, protecting judges from executive and legislative pressure, and they serve until death, resignation, or removal.
Is Sanjiv Khanna the 51st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India?
Sanjiv Khanna (born 14 May 1960) is a retired Indian jurist who served as the 51st Chief Justice of India from 11 November 2024 to 13 May 2025. He was the ex officio Patron-in-Chief of the National Legal Services Authority and the de facto Chancellor of the National Law School of India University.
Why didn't Obama get to nominate a Supreme Court judge?
With the death of Antonin Scalia in February 2016 in the beginning of a presidential election year, the Republican majority in the Senate made it their stated policy to refuse to consider any nominee to the Supreme Court, arguing that the next president should be the one to appoint Scalia's replacement.
Who is the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 2025?
The Chief Justice of the United States in 2025 is John G. Roberts, Jr., who has held the position since 2005 and continues to serve, issuing reports and presiding over the Supreme Court throughout 2025.
51st CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA - JUSTICE SANJIV KHANNA
What is the CJi's salary?
The salary for the Chief Justice of the United States (CJI) is approximately $286,700 annually as of January 2026, while Associate Justices earn around $274,200; however, some sources show higher figures like $320,700 for the Chief Justice in 2026, depending on the specific data source and potential adjustments for federal judges, but generally, it's in the high $200,000s to low $300,000s.
Who is the most powerful judge in the United States?
The most powerful judge in the United States is generally considered to be the Chief Justice of the United States, currently John G. Roberts, Jr., because he leads the Supreme Court, heads the entire federal judiciary, and holds significant influence in shaping legal precedent and the Court's direction, even if his vote is just one of nine. His power comes from judicial leadership, managing close cases, and influencing the institutional reputation of the Supreme Court.
Who appointed more judges, Trump or Obama?
While President Obama appointed more judges overall (around 330-334) across his two terms compared to Donald Trump's single term (around 226-245), Trump appointed a higher proportion of powerful appellate court judges and more Supreme Court justices (three vs. Obama's two), significantly shifting the courts' ideological balance, especially the circuit courts.
Has any president ignored a Supreme Court ruling?
Yes, presidents have ignored or defied Supreme Court rulings, most famously Andrew Jackson with the Cherokee Nation (Trail of Tears) and Abraham Lincoln by suspending habeas corpus, but this is rare and often leads to constitutional crises, with recent instances involving defiance in deportation cases under the Trump administration. Other examples include governors defying rulings on segregation (Faubus, Barnett) and FDR's stance on military tribunals, highlighting ongoing tensions between executive power and judicial authority.
How many judges did Biden appoint to the Supreme Court?
The total number of Article III judges nominated by Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate was 235, including one associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, 45 judges for the United States courts of appeals, 187 judges for the United States district courts and two judges for the United States ...
Can a CJI be removed from office?
The Constitution states that Justices "shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour." This means that the Justices hold office as long as they choose and can only be removed from office by impeachment.
Who has been recently appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India?
Justice Sanjiv Khanna is the 51st Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. He was elevated to the Supreme Court of India on 18th January, 2019 and presently, he is the Patron-in-Chief, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and Chairperson, National Judicial Academy, Bhopal (NJA).
Can Supreme Court decisions be overturned?
When the Supreme Court rules on a constitutional issue, that judgment is virtually final; its decisions can be altered only by the rarely used procedure of constitutional amendment or by a new ruling of the Court.
Can the President fire the vice president?
The Constitution of the United States gives Congress the authority to remove the vice president of the United States from office in two separate proceedings. The first one takes place in the House of Representatives, which impeaches the vice president by approving articles of impeachment through a simple majority vote.
What is the salary of the Chief Justice?
The salary for the U.S. Chief Justice is set by Congress, with the rate for 2024 being $312,200 annually, increasing to $317,500 in 2025, while Associate Justices earn slightly less. State chief justices have different salaries, such as Maryland's Chief Justice earning $255,433 as of July 1, 2025, and Nebraska's Chief Justice earning $231,857.65 as of July 1, 2026, highlighting significant variations across jurisdictions.
Can the President fire a judge?
Only Congress has the authority to remove an Article III judge. This is done through a vote of impeachment by the House and a trial and conviction by the Senate.
What are three things the president can't do?
A PRESIDENT CANNOT . . .
make laws. declare war. decide how federal money will be spent. interpret laws.
Can a Supreme Court judge overrule the president?
Courts may strike down executive orders not only on the grounds that the president lacked authority to issue them but also in cases where the order is found to be unconstitutional in substance.
Did President Obama appoint any Supreme Court Justices?
President Barack Obama made two successful appointments to the Supreme Court of the United States. The first was Judge Sonia Sotomayor to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice David H. Souter. Sotomayor was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 6, 2009, by a vote of 68–31.
Who is the best judge of all time?
The Greatest Judges of All Time: the Titans who defied history
- RUTH BADER GINSBURG (UNITED STATES, 1933-2020)
- THURGOOD MARSHALL (UNITED STATES, 1908-1993)
- LOUIS BRANDEIS (UNITED STATES, 1856-1941)
- JEAN-JACQUES CAMBACÉRÈS (FRANCE, 1753-1824)
- SALADIN (MIDDLE EAST, 1137-1193)
- THE ENDURING LEGACY: WHEN COURAGE CONQUERS FEAR.
Is John Roberts an American citizen?
Roberts is a dual Canadian and American citizen.
Who ranks higher than a judge?
Chief Justice of the United States. The chief justice of the United States is the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States and is the highest-ranking officer of the U.S. federal judiciary.