Advocate General of India, State-wise Name, Qualification, Functions and Salary

Who is an Advocate General of India?

An Advocate General is the chief legal advisor to the Government of India. They are appointed by the President of India and hold office at the pleasure of the President. The Advocate General is also the guardian of the interests of the Union in all legal matters.

The Advocate General of India serves as the principal legal advisor to the Government of India and acts as the primary representative in legal matters in the courts. Appointed by the President of India upon the recommendation of the Union Cabinet, their appointment is regulated by Article 76(1) of the Constitution, and their tenure is subject to the President’s discretion. To qualify for this role, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria to become Supreme Court Judges.

This entails having served as a high court judge for at least five years, practicing as a high court advocate for a minimum of ten years, or being recognized as an accomplished jurist according to the President’s judgment. Currently, R. Venkataramani holds the position of Attorney-General for India, succeeding K. K. Venugopal. Venkataramani assumed office as the 16th Attorney-General on October 1, 2022

Advocate General of India State-wise Name

Here is a list of the Advocate Generals of India state-wise as of August 2023:

1. Andhra Pradesh: Dammaluri Srinivas
2. Arunachal Pradesh: Binny Sharma
3. Assam: Devajit Saikia
4. Bihar: Lalit Kishore
5. Chhattisgarh: Harshad Kumar Singh
6. Dadra and Nagar Haveli: Yashwant Thakur
7. Daman and Diu: Yashwant Thakur
8. Delhi: Ajay Digpaul
9. Goa: Girish Godse
10. Gujarat: Kamal Trivedi
11. Haryana: Ashok Aggarwal
12. Himachal Pradesh: Ajay Vohra
13. Jammu and Kashmir: Dinesh Singh
14. Jharkhand: Rajiv Ranjan
15. Karnataka: Prabhuling K Navadagi
16. Kerala: KP Dandapani
17. Lakshadweep: Yashwant Thakur
18. Madhya Pradesh: Pankaj Singh
19. Maharashtra: Ashutosh Kumbhakoni
20. Manipur: L. Mahendra Singh
21. Meghalaya: Amit Kumar Singh
22. Mizoram: Lalrinawma
23. Nagaland: Neiba Kronu
24. Odisha: Ashok Das
25. Puducherry: A. Natarajan
26. Punjab: D.S. Patwalia
27. Rajasthan: Mukul Sharma
28. Sikkim: Suresh Kumar Pandey
29. Tamil Nadu: R. Vaigai
30. Telangana: B.S. Prakash
31. Tripura: P.K. Debbarma
32. Uttar Pradesh: Raghvendra Singh
33. Uttarakhand: Vijayendra Mohan
34. West Bengal: Anindya Mitra

The Advocate General is the chief legal advisor to the state government and represents the state government in court. They are also responsible for providing legal advice to the government on a wide range of issues. The Advocate General is a very important position and plays a vital role in the administration of justice in the state.

Advocate General of India Qualification

The Advocate General of India is typically required to have the following qualifications:

• Legal Education: A bachelor’s degree in law (LL.B) from a recognized university, often supplemented by an LL.M. or advanced legal qualifications.
• Experience: Significant years of experience as a practicing advocate in the state high courts or the Supreme Court of India.
• Good Standing: Clean record with the Bar Council, demonstrating ethical conduct and professional integrity.
• Expertise: Proficiency in various legal areas, especially constitutional law, administrative law, and relevant domains.
• Advocacy Skills: Strong abilities in presenting arguments persuasively, managing legal proceedings, and communicating complex legal concepts.
• Constitutional Knowledge: A solid understanding of constitutional law due to involvement in cases related to government actions.
• Political Neutrality: Ability to provide impartial legal advice while maintaining political neutrality.
• Appointment Process: Appointment varies by state, involving the Governor’s advice or Chief Justice’s recommendation. The central government appoints the Advocate General of the Union of India.

Advocate General of India Functions

The Advocate General of India is a legal officer who represents the government in legal matters at the state level in India. Each state has its own Advocate General, and there is also an Advocate General for the Union of India who represents the central government. The primary functions of the Advocate General include:

1. Legal Advisor to the Government: The Advocate General serves as the principal legal advisor to the state government or the central government, as the case may be. They provide legal advice on various matters and issues that involve legal implications.
2. Litigation Representation: The Advocate General represents the government in important legal cases before the courts, tribunals, and other legal forums. This includes both civil and criminal cases in which the state or central government is a party.
3. Defending Government Actions: The Advocate General defends the actions and policies of the government in legal proceedings. They present arguments, legal interpretations, and evidence to support the government’s position and interests.
4. Drafting Legal Documents: The Advocate General assists in drafting legal documents such as legislation, rules, regulations, and agreements to ensure that they are legally sound and comply with constitutional and legal requirements.
5. Advising on Constitutional Matters: The Advocate General is often called upon to provide legal opinions on matters related to the interpretation of the Constitution, its provisions, and their implications for government actions and policies.
6. Representing in Constitutional Cases: The Advocate General represents the government in cases involving constitutional issues, including cases related to the violation of fundamental rights, disputes between the state and central government, and matters related to the distribution of powers between the two levels of government.
7. Assisting in Policy Formulation: The Advocate General can provide legal input and advice during the formulation of government policies, ensuring that they adhere to legal principles and norms.
8. Promoting the Rule of Law: The Advocate General plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law by ensuring that government actions are carried out in accordance with legal norms and constitutional provisions.

Advocate General of India Salary

According to the Government of India’s Salaries and Allowances of State Government Servants Rules, 1958, the salary of the Advocate General of India is equivalent to the salary of a Supreme Court judge. As of 2023, the salary of a Supreme Court judge is ₹2,25,000 per month. In addition to their salary, the Advocate General of India is also entitled to a number of allowances, such as:

• House Rent Allowance: The Advocate General is entitled to a house rent allowance of 30% of their basic pay.
• Travel Allowance: The Advocate General is entitled to a travel allowance for official travel.
• Medical Allowance: The Advocate General is entitled to a medical allowance for themselves and their family.

The Advocate General of India is also provided with an official residence and a car with a driver. They are also provided with security by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The salary and allowances of the Advocate General of India are very generous. However, the Advocate General also bears a heavy responsibility. They are the government’s chief legal advisor and represent the government in court. They play a vital role in the protection of the rule of law and the advancement of justice in India.

Sharing is caring!