The Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions through its notification of June 2020 has extended the term of Mr. Tushar Mehta as the Solicitor General (SG) for another three years. As per the notification, the Appointments Committee of Cabinet approved the re- appointment of Mr. Tushar Mehta as Solicitor General of India with effect from July 1 for a period of three years or until further orders.
About Solicitor General of India
- Law Officer (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987 provides for the functions of Law Officer which includes the Attorney-General for India, the Solicitor- General for India, Additional Solicitor-General for India. Unlike the AG, Solicitor General’s duties and functions are not provided in the Constitution of India
- He is the secondary law officer of India after then attorney General of India and assists the AG in performing his responsibilities.
- Under the Conditions of Service Rules, Law Officer including the Solicitor General is appointed for a period of 3 years and can be re-appointed.
Duties of Solicitor General Law Officer of India
- Give advice to the Government of India upon such legal matters, and perform legal duties which may be referred or assigned by the Government of India.
- Appear in the Supreme Court or in any High Court on behalf of the Government of India in cases including suits, writ petitions, appeal and other proceedings in which the Government of India is concerned as a party or is otherwise interested.
- Represent the Government of India in any reference made by the President to the Supreme Court under Article 143 of the Constitution.
- Discharge such other functions as are conferred on a Law Officer by or under the Constitution or any other Law for the time being in force.
