The correct option is 1973 and 1977.
Explanation
The appointment of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is governed by Article 124 of the Constitution. Over time, a convention was established whereby the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court was appointed as the Chief Justice. However, this convention was disregarded by the executive on two specific occasions in the 1970s.
Instances of Violation:
- 1973: Justice A.N. Ray was appointed as the Chief Justice of India, superseding three senior judges: J.M. Shelat, K.S. Hegde, and A.N. Grover. This occurred shortly after the Supreme Court's judgment in the Kesavananda Bharati case.
- 1977: Justice M.U. Beg was appointed as the Chief Justice of India, superseding the then senior-most judge, Justice H.R. Khanna. This followed Justice Khanna's dissenting opinion in the ADM Jabalpur case (Habeas Corpus case) during the Emergency.
Following these controversies, the Supreme Court, in the Second Judges Case (1993), curtailed the executive's discretion in this matter. The Court ruled that the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court should alone be appointed to the office of the Chief Justice of India.
Key Takeaway: The convention of appointing the senior-most judge as CJI was violated in 1973 and 1977. Since the Second Judges Case (1993), strict adherence to the seniority principle has been legally mandated.