Indian Polity / Constitutional Offices and Authorities

Powers of Attorney General of India

Regarding the powers of Attorney General of India, he is the highest law officer in India and is the chief legal advisor to the Government at the Centre. He appears and pleads before any court or authority in India on behalf of the Government at the Centre. He can take part in the Parliamentary proceedings without any right to vote.

According to Article 76, Attorney General of India is to be appointed by the President.
It is the Attorney General of India, who can appear before the Supreme Court of India on any reference that is made by the President of India under the Article 143 of the Constitution.
While performing his duties, the Attorney General shall have the right of audience in any court in the whole territory of India.
He will remain in the office during the pleasure of the President.
He should possess all the qualifications same as that of a judge of the Supreme Court.
He receives such fee or salary as decided by the President. He is not eligible for entitlement of pension.
Age of Attorney General should not exceed 65 years. There is no fixed tenure for him. He can be removed from the office at any time without any reason by the President. He can be appointed for other positions. Attorney General is accountable to the President, who can remove him.
To assist the Attorney General, two more law officers are present in the Union Government. These officers are Solicitor General and Additional Solicitor General of India. They do not have Constitutional authority as there is no reference for these two officers in the Constitution.
M. C. Setalvad is the first Attorney General of India.