Tushar Mehta Reappointed as Solicitor General for Three-Year Term

Why in News? 

The Union Government has reappointed Tushar Mehta as the Solicitor General of India (SGI) for a further term of three years with effect from July 1, 2026. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved this reappointment through an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training on June 20, 2026.  

Background 

• Tushar Mehta has been serving as Solicitor General of India since October 10, 2018, making him the second-longest serving SGI after C. K. Daphtary, who was also the first holder of the post from January 28, 1950. 
• Mehta was previously reappointed with effect from July 1, 2023, for a term running until June 30, 2026. 
• He enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Gujarat in 1987 and was designated Senior Advocate by the Gujarat High Court in 2008. He was appointed Additional Solicitor General of India in 2014 before being elevated to Solicitor General in 2018. 
• The SGI is the second-highest law officer of the country, subordinate to the Attorney General for India, and is assisted by Additional Solicitors General.

Key Appointments Approved by the ACC 

• Solicitor General — Supreme Court: Tushar Mehta reappointed for three years w.e.f. July 1, 2026. 
• Additional Solicitors General — Supreme Court (w.e.f. July 1, 2026): Vikramjit Banerjee and K.M. Nataraj. 
• Additional Solicitors General — Supreme Court (w.e.f. June 30, 2026): Suryaprakash V. Raju, N. Venkataraman, and Aishwarya Bhati. 
• Additional Solicitor General — Delhi High Court: Chetan Sharma reappointed for six months w.e.f. July 1, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. 

What is the Solicitor General of India? 

• The Solicitor General of India is the second-highest law officer of the Union, subordinate to the Attorney General for India and assisted by Additional Solicitors General. 
• Unlike the Attorney General, whose office is a constitutional post under Article 76 of the Constitution, the posts of the SGI and ASGs are neither constitutional nor statutory in character. 
• The conditions of service are governed by the Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987, framed under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution. 
• The ACC recommends and approves the appointment of the SGI; the proposal is typically moved at the level of the Joint Secretary or Law Secretary in the Department of Legal Affairs, with the approval of the Minister of Law & Justice, before proceeding to the ACC and the President. 
• Duties of the SGI include:  
  • Advising the Government of India on legal matters referred to him. 
  • Appearing in the Supreme Court or any High Court on behalf of the Union in cases to which it is a party or has an interest. 
  • Representing the Government in presidential references under Article 143 of the Constitution. 
  • Discharging other functions assigned by or under the Constitution or applicable law. 
• Restrictions on private practice: A law officer may not hold briefs for private parties, advise any party against the Government of India or a Public Sector Undertaking, defend an accused in criminal proceedings without government permission, or accept any corporate appointment without prior sanction.