Which one of the following statements about the Attorney General of India is not correct?
- (a)He has the right of audience only in the Supreme Court of India.
- (b)He shall receive such remuneration as the President may determine.
- (c)He shall be qualified to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
- (d)He shall give advice to the Government of India on all legal matters.
Correct — A, He has the right of audience only in the Supreme Court of India. Under Article 76, the Attorney General has the right of audience in all courts throughout the territory of India, not just the Supreme Court, so statement (a) is the incorrect one. The other three are accurate — he is paid a remuneration the President determines, must be qualified to be a Supreme Court judge, and advises the Government of India on legal matters referred to him.
- (b)He shall receive such remuneration as the President may determine. — This is correct — the Attorney General receives such remuneration as the President may determine — so it is not the wrong statement.
- (c)He shall be qualified to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court. — This is correct — to be appointed he must have the qualifications of a Supreme Court judge — so it does not fit an incorrect answer.
- (d)He shall give advice to the Government of India on all legal matters. — This is correct — advising the Government of India on legal matters is a core duty of the Attorney General.
The Attorney General of India, under Article 76, is the country's highest law officer, appointed by the President and holding office during the President's pleasure. He advises the government on legal matters, appears in cases involving the Union, and has the right of audience in all courts across India. He may take part in the proceedings of either House of Parliament but cannot vote.
Three statements restate the constitutional position accurately, so the exception is the one that overstates a limit. Recalling that the Attorney General can appear in every court in India, not merely the Supreme Court, flags statement (a) as the incorrect one.
- The Attorney General is appointed by the President under Article 76 and is the highest law officer of India.
- He has the right of audience in all courts in the territory of India.
- He must be qualified to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court.
- He can speak in either House of Parliament but has no right to vote.
- Assuming the Attorney General appears only in the Supreme Court — he has audience in all courts in India.
- Confusing the Attorney General of the Union with the Advocate General of a State.
Asked as a 'not correct' statement test on the Attorney General's powers and qualifications.
Consider the following statements about the Attorney General of India: I. He is appointed by the President of India. II. He must have the same qualifications as are required for a Judge of the Supreme Court. III. He must be a member of either House of Parliament. IV. He can be removed by impeachment by Parliament. Which of these statements are correct?
- (a) I and II
- (b) I and III
- (c) II, III and IV
- (d) III and IV
Answer(a) I and II
Same office — the Attorney General. That UPSC item tests his appointment and qualifications; this one tests his right of audience and duties.
Consider the following statements: 1. The duties of the Attorney General of India are to give advice to the Government of India upon such legal matters, and to perform such other duties of a legal character, as may from time to time be referred to or assigned to him by the President of India 2. The Solicitor General of India is the secondary Law Officer of the country, who assists the Attorney General, and is himself assisted by several Additional Solicitor Generals of India Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer(c) Both 1 and 2
Same office — the Attorney General and the law officers. That NDA item tests his duties and the Solicitor General; this one asks which statement about him is not correct.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The Attorney General of India is appointed under which Article of the Constitution?
- (a)Article 76
- (b)Article 148
- (c)Article 165
- (d)Article 324
Answer(a) Article 76.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The Attorney General of India holds office
- (a)for a fixed term of five years
- (b)during the pleasure of the President
- (c)until 65 years of age
- (d)until removed by Parliament
Answer(b) during the pleasure of the President.