Solicitor General of India (SGI) is the Second highest law officer after the Attorney General in India. The Attorney General is assisted by the Solicitor General of India. Its main Headquarters is in New Delhi.

About SGI

• Statutory Body thus Constitution of India does not mention the offices of the Solicitor General of India and Additional Solicitors General of India.
• Current Solicitor General of India – Tushar Mehta.
• First Solicitor General of India – Chander Kishan Daphtary.

Structure of SGI

• 1 Solicitor General and other Additional Solicitors General of India.
• He/She shall hold office for a term of 3 years from the date on which he enters his office.

Appointment of SGI

• Solicitor General is appointed after the Appointments Committee of Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister.
• Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) recommends the appointment and officially appoints the Solicitor General.
  • The proposal for appointment of Solicitor General, Additional Solicitor General is generally moved at the level of Joint secretary (or Law Secretary) in the Department of Legal Affairs and after obtaining the approval of the Minister of Law & Justice, the proposal goes to the ACC and then to the president.

Functions of SGI

• To represent the Government of India in any reference made by the President to the Supreme Court under Article 143 of the Constitution.
• To advise the Union Government and appear on behalf of the Union of India in the Supreme Court and High Courts.
• To 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.