The Attorney General serves as the government’s top legal advisor in all legal matters within and beyond the courtroom, so their expertise should be highly esteemed juristically to be chosen to this position.
Constitutionally speaking, no fixed tenure exists for an Attorney General – they remain at the pleasure of the President until such time that another government takes power and they submit their resignation letter. Generally when that happens.
Article 76 of the Indian Constitution
The Attorney General of India serves as the highest law officer within the Union Government. Their main task is managing legal affairs of both the Union Government and its President before courts throughout India – especially the Supreme Court and any others that might arise.
Appointed by the President of India based on advice of the Appointment Committee of Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister, his/her appointment and duties are regulated by the Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules 1987.
As part of their eligibility criteria for becoming Supreme Court judges, individuals must first be citizens of India; have served five or ten years on a High Court bench or been identified by President as an eminent jurist.
Article 63 of the Indian Constitution
The Attorney General of India serves as the government’s principal legal advisor, providing advice to President on legal matters that pertain to him or are assigned by him and carrying out their legal responsibilities accordingly. They enjoy similar privileges and immunities as Members of Parliament while participating in their proceedings without casting votes themselves.
In order to become Attorney General of India, an individual must fulfill several qualifications. He/She must first be a citizen of India before serving five years or ten years on either high court bench or as advocate. Finally, their work as judge must have earned them recognition from President as an eminent jurist – this person will then become India’s highest law officer who may be removed at any time by him/herself or President himself.
Law Officer (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987
The Attorney General is India’s highest law officer and enjoys all the privileges and immunities available to Members of Parliament. Furthermore, they possess right of audience in every court in Indian territory as well as full authority to represent government interests in court proceedings.
He cannot accept private briefs; rather he should represent only the Central or State Government and any government-aided institution, local authority, or corporation owned by it. In certain circumstances this rule can be waived by the government.
Attorney Generals do not serve a fixed term and can be removed at any time by the President, while tradition dictates they offer their resignation when their appointed government falls – something which has happened many times since independence of India.
Statement 1
Attorney Generals play a pivotal role in our legal system and it’s vital that their role be upheld according to law. They shape and uphold national laws while remaining independent.
The term of the attorney general is undetermined and held at the pleasure of the president. Remuneration for his services will also be determined by him; typically when government contracts end he resigns.
He has extensive international legal experience and a keen passion for human rights law, making him the perfect candidate to replace K K Venugopal as acting Attorney-General of India. By performing his duties effectively, he will ensure the legal interests of government are safeguarded effectively.
Statement 2
Attorney General of India serves as chief legal advisor of central government, representing it before Supreme Court and other high courts, assisted by Solicitor General and additional Solicitors General. Although not directly participating in Parliament meetings, Attorney General provides advice and counsels members regarding various issues.
He or she receives a salary equivalent to that of a Supreme court judge and serves as law officer of the central government, not as full-time counsel or legal advisor. The first attorney general was M C Setalvad appointed in 1950; K K Venugopal succeeded Mukul Rohatgi who had resigned earlier. Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar served five years under UPA-1 as solicitor general.
