Two days before he assumes office as the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant outlined two core priorities for his 16-month term: reducing judicial pendency and strengthening mediation as a mainstream dispute-resolution mechanism.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Justice Kant said the Supreme Court is currently burdened with more than 90,000 pending cases, a challenge he intends to confront “head-on” once he takes charge.

To ease backlogs across the judiciary, the incoming CJI said he plans to immediately constitute Constitution Benches to settle long-pending questions of law that have stalled decisions in both high courts and subordinate courts. He also called for healthier judicial practices, noting the increasing trend of litigants bypassing lower courts and directly approaching the Supreme Court.

Justice Kant identified mediation as his second major priority, emphasising its potential to significantly reduce pendency. “The entire country is talking about mediation today,” he said, adding that several corporate firms have approached the Supreme Court seeking training programmes for their officers. He said a number of MoUs related to mediation and cooperation are ready to be signed with international dignitaries who will be in New Delhi for his oath-taking ceremony.

More than a dozen foreign judges and chief justices are expected to attend Justice Kant’s swearing-in at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. He will serve as the 51st Chief Justice of India and is set to retire in February 2027.