Konakuppakattil Gopinathan Balakrishanan was Tuesday formally appointed the next Chief Justice of India. The ministry of law and justice issued the notification after President A P J Kalam gave his assent to the appointment on December 22 last.

He will take over the highest judicial post on Janaury 14 when Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal retires.

Known as "Bala" among his colleagues, Balakrishnan will be the 37th Chief Justice of India and the first Dalit to reach the pinnacle of judiciary. Since he is due to superannuate on May 12, 2010, his serving period will be comparatively longer.

Born in Thalayolaparambu village in Kerala's Kottayam district on May 12, 1945, Balakrishnan graduated in law from Maharaja Law College, Ernakulam and was enrolled as an advocate on March 16, 1968 in Kerala Bar Council, Kochi. He practiced on the civil and criminal sides.

Later on January 10, 1973 he was appointed as munsif in Kerala judicial service and promoted as Assistant Sessions Judge on July 23, 1982. In about a year's time he was appointed as deputy registrar (judicial) in the Kerala High Court.

Following his promotion as additional judge of Kerala High Court on September 26, 1985, and permanant judge on July 11, 1986, Balakrishnan was appointed Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court on July 16, 1998. Later he became Chief Justice of Madras high court on September 9, 1999, before being elevated as judge in the apex court.