• Senior advocate R Venkataramani has been appointed as the new Attorney General of India. The Ministry of Law and Justice in a notification said, the President has appointed Mr Venkataramani as the new Attorney General for a period of three years from 1st of October. He will succeed Mr K K Venugopal, whose term will be ending tomorrow.

Key Points

• The Attorney General (AG) of India is apart of the Union Executive. AG is the highest law officer in the country.
• Article 76of the Constitution provides for the office of AG of India.
• Appointment and Eligibility:

• • AG is appointed by the President on the advice of the government.
  • She/he must be a person who is qualified to be appointed a judge of the Supreme Court, i.e. s/he must be a citizen of India and must have been a judge of some high court for five years or an advocate of some high court for ten years or an eminent jurist, in the opinion of the President.

• Term of the Office:Not fixed by the Constitution.
• Removal:Procedures and grounds for the removal of AG are not stated in the Constitution. S/he holds office during the pleasure of the President (may be removed by the President at any time).
• Duties and Functions:

• • To give advice to the Government of India (GoI) upon such legal matters, which are referred to her/him by the President.
  • To perform such other duties of a legal character that are assigned to her/him by the President.
    • To appear on behalf of the GoI in all cases in the Supreme Court or in any case in any High Court in which the GoI is concerned.
    • To represent the GoI in any reference made by the President to the Supreme Court under Article 143 (Power of the President to consult the Supreme Court) of the Constitution.
  • To discharge the functions conferred on her/him by the Constitution or any other law.