WHO IS WHAT?

A. Solicitor General 

Tushar Mehta is the current and serving Solicitor General of INDIA.

• Re-appointment: He was re-appointed to the post for a three-year term starting July 1, 2023.
• Tenure End: His current term is scheduled to end on June 30, 2026, or until further orders.
• Background: He has held this position since October 10, 2018, and is the second-longest serving Solicitor General of India.
• Role: He is the second-highest-ranking law officer in the country, subordinate to the Attorney General of India (currently R. Venkataramani)
• is assisted by several Additional Solicitors General for the Supreme Court, including Vikramjit Banerjee, K.M. Nataraj, Suryaprakash V. Raju, N. Venkataraman, Aishwarya Bhati, and others
• B. Attorney General

The Attorney General of India is the highest law officer and chief legal advisor to the Government of India, appointed by the President under Article 76.

 R. Venkataramani is the current Attorney General (re-appointed until September 30, 2025).

• Name: R. Venkataramani
• Term: Appointed on 01.10.2022, reappointed in 2025, current term until 30.09.2027
• Role: Highest law officer in India and chief legal advisor to the Union Government.

 They represent the government in the Supreme Court, advise on legal matters, and hold office at the President's pleasure.

Key Aspects of the Attorney General of India (AGI):

• Appointment & Qualifications: Appointed by the President on the advice of the Union Cabinet. 
• The candidate must be qualified to be a Judge of the Supreme Court, requiring at least 5 years as a High Court judge or 10 years as a High Court advocate.
• Term & Removal: The Constitution does not specify a fixed term or remuneration, holding office during the pleasure of the President.
• Duties & Rights:
  • Advises the Union Government on legal matters referred by the President.
  • Represents the Government of India in the Supreme Court and high courts.
  • Has the right of audience in all courts in India.
  • Can participate in parliamentary proceedings without the right to vote.
• Restrictions: The AG is not a full-time government employee and is not part of the Union Cabinet, allowing private legal practice, but cannot defend cases against the Government.
• Distinction: The AG is assisted by the Solicitor General of India (Tushar Mehta as of 2024-2026) and several Additional Solicitor Generals. 

Key Differences: India vs. US

• India (AGI): Primarily a constitutional legal advisor.
• United States (AG): Head of the Department of Justice, a cabinet member, and the top law enforcement officer. 

State Level:

• Advocate General: Under Article 165, each state has an Advocate General, who serves as the chief legal advisor to the state government, mirroring the AGI's role at the state level. 
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C. Cabinet Secretary

Dr. T.V. Somanathan (IAS) is the current Cabinet Secretary of India, taking charge on August 30, 2024, succeeding Rajiv Gauba. He is the highest-ranking civil servant and top executive official, leading the Cabinet Secretariat and acting as the ex-officio chairman of the Civil Services Board, directly reporting to the Prime Minister.

Role & Function: Advises the Council of Ministers, handles crisis management, coordinates inter-ministerial efforts, and manages high-level government appointments.

• Precedence: Holds the 11th position in the Indian Order of Precedence, with a salary at pay level 18 (₹250,000 per month).
• Appointment:
   Usually appointed for a fixed two-year term, with potential extensions up to four years

https://www.scobserver.in/journal/the-next-eight-chief-justice-of-india-2025-to-

On 23 November 2025, Chief Justice B.R. Gavai retired as the 52nd Chief Justice of India after a tenure of six months. He was succeeded by Justice Surya Kant, who will be on the helm for over a year until February 2027.

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