Attorney General of India – TNPSC Group 1 Polity Fact Card

The Attorney General of India is established under Article 76 of the Indian Constitution — the first article in Part V dealing with the Union Executive’s law officer.

The AG is appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Council of Ministers and holds office during the pleasure of the President — no fixed tenure is mentioned in the Constitution.

To be eligible, the person must be qualified to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court — i.e., must be a citizen of India and have been a High Court judge for 5 years OR a High Court advocate for 10 years OR an eminent jurist in the President’s opinion.

The AG is the highest law officer of India — distinct from the Solicitor General and Additional Solicitor General who are subordinate to the AG.

The AG has the right of audience in all courts across India, including the right to appear in any High Court and the Supreme Court on behalf of the Government of India.

The AG has the right to participate in proceedings of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and their joint sittings, but does NOT have the right to vote — a critical distinction for MCQs.

The AG can take up private legal practice but must not advise or hold briefs against the Government of India — this is a key limitation differentiating the AG from a full-time government servant.

The AG is entitled to the same privileges and immunities as a Member of Parliament under Article 105 when participating in parliamentary proceedings.

The remuneration of the AG is determined by the President of India; it is NOT charged to the Consolidated Fund of India as a fixed salary — unlike Supreme Court judges.

The AG advises the Union Government on legal matters, appears in cases involving the Government of India, and performs such other duties of a legal character as are assigned by the President under Article 76(2).