Why in News?
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the reappointment of Tushar Mehta as Solicitor General of India (SGI) for a further term of three years from July 1.
Key Facts for Prelims: Solicitor General of India
- Position: Second-highest law officer of India (after Attorney General)
- Constitutional Status: NOT mentioned in the Constitution (unlike AG under Article 76)
- Governed by: Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987
- Appointed by: Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)
- Tenure: Fixed three years, renewable
- Parliamentary Rights: SGI does NOT have the right to participate in parliamentary proceedings
Attorney General vs Solicitor General
| Feature | Attorney General (AGI) | Solicitor General (SGI) |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Status | Created under Article 76 | Not in Constitution — statutory post |
| Parliamentary Rights | Can speak in both Houses (Article 88), no vote | No parliamentary rights |
| Tenure | At President’s pleasure — no fixed term | Fixed 3-year term |
| Removal | By President at any time | Under statutory executive rules |
| Rank | Highest law officer | Second-highest law officer |
Trap / Confusing Points
| Confusion | Correct Fact |
|---|---|
| SGI is a constitutional post | SGI is statutory — NOT in the Constitution |
| SGI can address Parliament | Only Attorney General has parliamentary rights (Article 88) |
| AGI has a fixed 3-year term | AGI serves at President’s pleasure; SGI has fixed 3-year term |
| ACC is chaired by Home Minister | ACC is chaired by the Prime Minister |
Practice MCQs
1. The Solicitor General of India is the _____ highest law officer.
a. First
b. Second
c. Third
d. Fourth
Ans: B
SGI is the second-highest law officer, directly subordinate to the Attorney General.
2. The SGI post is governed by which rules?
a. Article 76
b. Article 88
c. Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987
d. Supreme Court Rules, 2013
Ans: C
SGI is governed by Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987.
3. Which body approved Tushar Mehta’s reappointment?
a. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
b. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
c. Supreme Court Collegium
d. UPSC
Ans: B
ACC approved the reappointment for a further three-year term.
4. AG’s right to participate in Parliament is under which article?
a. Article 76
b. Article 79
c. Article 88
d. Article 124
Ans: C
Article 88 grants the AG right to speak in both Houses (without voting rights).
5. Standard tenure of the Solicitor General?
a. At President’s pleasure
b. Five years
c. Three years
d. Two years
Ans: C
SGI is appointed for a fixed 3-year term by ACC.
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