Who is the Attorney General of India?
The Attorney General of India holds the prestigious position of the highest law officer in the country, as outlined in Article 76 of the constitution. This legal expert serves as the chief legal advisor to the government of India, providing counsel on all legal matters.
List of all Attorney Generals of India
| Attorney General | Term |
| M. C. Setalvad | 28 January 1950 – 1 March 1963 |
| C.K. Daftari | 2 March 1963 – 30 October 1968 |
| Niren de | 1 November 1968 – 31 March 1977 |
| S.V. Gupte | 1 April 1977 – 8 August 1979 |
| L.N. Sinha | 9 August 1979 – 8 August 1983 |
| K. Parasaran | 9 August 1983 – 8 December 1989 |
| Soli Sorabjee | 9 December 1989 – 2 December 1990 |
| J. Ramaswamy | 3 December 1990 – 23 November 1992 |
| Milon K. Banerji | 21 November 1992 – 8 July 1996 |
| Ashok Desai | 9 July 1996 – 6 April 1998 |
| Soli Sorabjee | 7 April 1998 – 4 June 2004 |
| Milon K. Banerji | 5 June 2004 – 7 June 2009 |
| Goolam Essaji Vahanvati | 8 June 2009 – 11 June 2014 |
| Mukul Rohatgi | 12 June 2014 – 30 June 2017 |
| K.K. Venugopal | 30 June 2017 – 22 September 2022 |
| R. Venkataramani | 1 October 2022 – Present |
More information about the Attorney General of India
Appointment of the Attorney General of India
The President of India appoints a qualified person for the post, who must meet specific criteria. The appointee should be an Indian citizen and either have completed 5 years as a judge in the High Court of any Indian state or have practiced as an advocate in the High Court for at least 10 years. Additionally, an eminent jurist, recognized by the President, may also be eligible.
Term of Office and Removal
Unlike other positions, the Attorney General of India does not have a fixed term. The constitution does not specify any particular tenure or grounds for removal. The President has the authority to remove the Attorney General at any time. Conversely, the Attorney General can resign by submitting a resignation letter to the President. Traditionally, the Attorney General is often replaced when the Council of Ministers is dissolved or changed since their appointment is based on the advice of the Council.
Role and Responsibilities
As the Chief Law Officer, the Attorney General’s duties encompass several essential functions:
- Providing advice to the Union government on any legal matters referred to by the President.
- Advising the Union government on legal issues of the President’s interest.
- Fulfilling obligations mentioned in the Constitution, which includes three specific duties: a. Representing the Union Government in Supreme Court proceedings involving the government of India. b. Acting as the legal representative of the Union Government in any reference made by the President to the Supreme Court under Article 143 of the Constitution. c. Appearing in High Court cases related to the Government of India.
Facts about the Attorney General of India for UPSC:
- Highest Law Officer: The Attorney General (AG) of India holds the esteemed position of being the highest law officer in the country and is part of the Union Executive.
- Participation in Parliament Proceedings: The Attorney General has the right to speak and participate in the proceedings of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as well as their joint sittings and any parliamentary committee where they may be appointed as a member.
- No Voting Rights: While the AG can take part in parliamentary discussions, they do not possess the right to vote during these proceedings.
- Immunities and Privileges: Similar to Members of Parliament, the Attorney General enjoys various powers related to immunities and privileges.
- Not a Government Servant: Despite being an integral part of the Union government, the AG is not considered a government servant.
- Private Legal Practice: The Attorney General is allowed to practice law privately, and there are no restrictions on their engagement in private legal matters alongside their official responsibilities.
- Appearance in Any Indian Court: The AG has the authority to appear in any court within the territory of India, reflecting their broad jurisdiction as the highest legal officer of the nation.
Solicitor General of India
The Solicitor General of India is an important law officer of the Government of India, who assists the Attorney General in performing their official duties. Similarly, there are Additional Solicitors General of India who also support the Attorney General.
It is important to note that Article 76 of the Constitution, which deals with the Attorney General, does not specifically mention the Solicitor General and Additional Solicitors General. These positions are created and appointed based on the requirements of the government and are not explicitly defined in the Constitution.
The Solicitor General and Additional Solicitors General play crucial roles in representing the government in legal matters, providing legal advice, and representing the government in court cases at various levels, including the Supreme Court and High Courts. They contribute significantly to the efficient functioning of the legal system and the government’s legal affairs.
FAQ
Ques. Who appoints the Attorney General for India?
Ans. The Attorney General of India is appointed by the President of India. The President selects a qualified candidate who fulfills the criteria to serve as a Supreme Court judge.
Ques. Who can remove the Attorney General of India?
Ans. The Attorney General of India is in office at the pleasure of the President. While there is no fixed term, the President has the authority to remove the Attorney General at any time. Additionally, the Parliament holds the power to impeach the Attorney General if deemed necessary. However, such instances are relatively rare in practice.
