He will also be the chief advocate to represent the Central Government/ Union Government in the Supreme Court of India.
As per the constitution of India, there is no fixed tenure of AGI, he/ she shall hold the office as per the pleasure of the President. He/ she can be removed by the President at any time. However, there is no ground or procedure mentioned in the constitution for the removal of AGI. AGI is an important part of the Indian Polity as at least 1 to 2 questions can be easily seen in the SSC and Railway Exams. In this post, we have covered the complete details regarding the Attorney General of India such as appointment, list of AGIs so far, the role of AGI, limitations of AGI, and rights of AGI.
Important Highlights of Attorney General of India
The table below states some important points regarding the Attorney General of India:
Particulars | Details |
Post | Attorney General of India |
At Present AGI | KK Venugopal |
1st AGI | Motilal C Setalvad |
Appointed by | President of India on the advice of Union Government |
Responsibility | AGI is the chief legal advisor to the Government of India and acts as it |
Appointment of Attorney General of India
Attorney General of India is appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Government of India/ Union Government. To be appointed to this post, he/ she must fulfill the following criteria:
- He/ she must be a citizen of India
- He/ she should have either completed 5 years in High Court Judge of any state of India or 10 years as an advocate in High Court
- He/ she must be an eminent jurist in the eye of the President
List of All Attorney General of India [Updated]
Here is the list of all AGIs so far in India:
Attorney General of India | Name | Tenure |
1st AGI | MC Setalvad | 28th January 1950 to 1st March 1963 |
2nd AGI | CK Daftari | 2nd March 1963 to 30th October 1968 |
3rd AGI | Niren De | 1st November 1968 to 31st March 1977 |
4th AGI | SV Gupte | 1st April 1977 to 8th August 1979 |
5th AGI | LN Sinha | 9th August 1979 to 8th August 1983 |
6th AGI | K Parasaran | 9th August 1983 to 8th August 1989 |
7th AGI | Soli Sorabjee | 9th December 1989 to 2nd December 1990 |
8th AGI | J Ramaswamy | 3rd December 1990 to 23rd November 1992 |
9th AGI | Milon K Banerjee | 21st November 1992 to 8th July 1996 |
10th AGI | Ashok Desai | 9th July 1996 to 6th April 1998 |
11th AGI | Soli Sorabjee | 7th April 1998 to 4th June 2004 |
12th AGI | Milon K Banerjee | 5th June 2004 to 7th June 2009 |
13th AGI | Goolam Essaji Vahanvati | 8th June 2009 to 11th June 2014 |
14th AGI | Mukul Rohatgi | 12th June 2014 to 30th June 2017 |
15th AGI | KK Venugopal | 30th June 2017 – Till date |
Roles and Functions of Attorney General of India
- Attorney General of India (AGI) gives advice to the President of India on legal matters
- AGI gives advice to the Central Government/ Government of India on legal matters which are designated to him by the President of India
- AGI performs the functions bestowed to him by or under the constitution or any other law
- AGI appears on behalf Government of India (GOI) for all the cases that are held at the Supreme Court of India. Under Article 143 of the constitution of India, AG appears on behalf of GOI in any reference made by the President of India to the Supreme Court
- AGI also appears on behalf of GOI for any case in the high court where GOI is concerned
Limitations of Attorney General of India
- To avoid any conflict of duty, there are a few constraints that are posted on the Attorney General of India (AGI)
- AGI must not advise or hold a brief against the Union Government/ GOI
- AGI should not advise or hold a brief in cases in which he is called upon to advise or appear for GOI/ Union Government
- AGI must not defend persons in criminal prosecutions without permission from the Union Government/ GOI
- AGI must not accept his appointment as a director in any corporation or company without permission from the GOI/ Union Government
Rights of Attorney General of India
- AGI has the right of audience in all courts in the territory of India
- AGI has the right to take part in the joint sittings as well as proceedings of both the Houses of Parliament of India. However, he/ she does not have the right to vote
- AGI has the right to take part or to speak in the meeting of any committee of the Parliament of which he is named as a member
- AGI enjoys all the privileges and immunities that are offered to the Member of Parliament
- AGI can also practice privately as he is not debarred from private legal practice
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