Home > Recent Judgements > GOVERNMENT REAPPOINTS SOLICITOR GENERAL TUSHAR MEHTA FOR THREE MORE YEARS: CONTINUITY IN INDIA’S TOP LAW OFFICE
Jun-18- 2026
GOVERNMENT REAPPOINTS SOLICITOR GENERAL TUSHAR MEHTA FOR THREE MORE YEARS: CONTINUITY IN INDIA’S TOP LAW OFFICE
Official Notification and Effective Date
According to the order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on June 20, 2026, Mehta’s renewed tenure will commence on July 1, 2026.
The notification states that the appointment shall remain valid:
“For a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.”
This standard clause gives the Central Government flexibility to review appointments if administrative requirements so demand.
Understanding the Role of the Solicitor General of India
The Solicitor General of India is the second-highest law officer in the country after the Attorney General for India.
Unlike the Attorney General, whose office is constitutionally recognised under Article 76 of the Constitution of India, the Solicitor General’s position is a statutory and executive appointment governed by the Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules.
The Solicitor General assists the Attorney General in:
- Representing the Union Government before the Supreme Court and High Courts;
- Advising ministries and departments on complex legal issues;
- Defending legislation challenged before constitutional courts;
- Appearing in matters involving national security, taxation, federal disputes, and public policy;
- Coordinating litigation strategy across various government agencies.
The office plays a pivotal role in shaping India’s constitutional jurisprudence and public law framework.
Tushar Mehta: Career and Legal Journey
Born in Gujarat, Tushar Mehta enrolled as an advocate in 1987 and built a successful practice primarily in constitutional, taxation, and commercial law.
Some important milestones in his legal career include:
- Designated as a Senior Advocate by the Gujarat High Court;
- Served as Additional Advocate General for the State of Gujarat;
- Appointed as Additional Solicitor General of India in 2014;
- Elevated as Solicitor General of India on October 10, 2018.
With the latest extension, Mehta will continue to serve in the office beyond eight years, making him one of the longest-serving Solicitors General in contemporary Indian legal history.
Key Cases Handled by Tushar Mehta
Over the years, Mehta has represented the Union Government in several landmark matters involving constitutional interpretation, governance, and national policy.
Some of the major cases in which he has appeared include:
- Challenges to the abrogation of Article 370;
- The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 litigation;
- Matters concerning the Electoral Bonds Scheme;
- Proceedings relating to digital platforms and intermediary liability;
- The Pegasus spyware controversy;
- Cases concerning demonetisation;
- Challenges involving data protection and digital governance;
- Various disputes concerning central investigative agencies;
- Centre-State conflicts involving constitutional powers;
- Significant tax and economic regulation matters.
His tenure has coincided with a period of extensive constitutional litigation involving questions of federalism, privacy, technology regulation, and executive power.
Additional Solicitors General Re-Appointed for the Supreme Court
The ACC has also approved fresh terms for five Additional Solicitors General before the Supreme Court.
The following Senior Advocates have been re-appointed:
- Vikramjit Banerjee – effective July 1, 2026;
- K. M. Nataraj – effective July 1, 2026;
- Suryaprakash V. Raju – effective June 30, 2026;
- N. Venkataraman – effective June 30, 2026;
- Aishwarya Bhati – effective June 30, 2026.
Their appointments will remain valid for three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Previous Tenures
- Banerjee was first appointed ASG on March 5, 2018.
- Nataraj joined as ASG on January 14, 2019.
- Raju, Venkataraman, and Bhati were first appointed on June 30, 2020.
All five officers were previously re-appointed in 2023, and their continued tenure reflects the government’s preference for maintaining consistency in its legal representation.
Chetan Sharma Continues as ASG for Delhi High Court
The ACC has also approved the re-appointment of Senior Advocate Chetan Sharma as Additional Solicitor General for the Delhi High Court.
Unlike the Supreme Court appointments, Sharma’s extension has been granted for a shorter duration of six months, effective from July 1, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Sharma was initially appointed as ASG for the Delhi High Court in July 2020 and has represented the Union Government in several important cases involving:
- Information technology regulation;
- Criminal investigations;
- Public interest litigation;
- National security matters;
- Regulatory disputes.
Why These Re-Appointments Matter
The re-appointment of the Solicitor General and key Additional Solicitors General comes at a crucial juncture.
The Union Government is currently defending multiple high-profile matters before constitutional courts involving:
- Digital governance and online regulation;
- Data protection laws;
- Electoral reforms;
- Federal disputes between the Centre and States;
- Economic legislation;
- Artificial intelligence regulation;
- National security concerns.
Retaining an experienced legal team ensures continuity in legal strategy and institutional memory, especially in long-pending constitutional matters that often span several years.
Frequent changes in law officers can disrupt the government’s litigation approach. Therefore, extending the tenure of existing officers is widely viewed as an effort to preserve consistency and efficiency in the handling of complex cases.
Appointment Process for Law Officers
Law officers such as the Solicitor General and Additional Solicitors General are appointed by the Central Government through executive orders.
The appointments are approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, which is headed by the Prime Minister and includes the “Union Home Minister”.
These officers:
- Hold office during the pleasure of the government;
- Are generally appointed for fixed terms;
- Continue private practice subject to restrictions imposed by the Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules;
- Cannot advise or appear against the Government of India in specified matters.
Significance for the Indian Legal System
The re-appointment of senior law officers reflects the government’s emphasis on continuity and institutional expertise in handling complex litigation before constitutional courts. The Solicitor General and Additional Solicitors General serve as the principal advocates for the Union Government, often appearing in cases that have far-reaching implications for governance, public policy, and constitutional interpretation.
Given the increasing volume of litigation involving issues such as digital regulation, data privacy, economic reforms, environmental governance, and Centre-State relations, retaining experienced law officers ensures consistency in legal arguments and effective coordination among various ministries and departments. Their familiarity with ongoing matters also helps avoid disruptions in cases that often continue for several years.
Conclusion
The re-appointment of Tushar Mehta as Solicitor General for another three-year term underscores the Central Government’s confidence in its current legal leadership.
With several constitutionally significant disputes pending before the Supreme Court, the continuation of Mehta and the re-appointed Additional Solicitors General is expected to provide stability, continuity, and strategic consistency to the Union Government’s legal representation.
As India’s legal landscape becomes increasingly shaped by issues involving technology, federalism, economic reforms, and constitutional governance, the role of the Solicitor General’s office will remain central to the evolution of Indian public law.
Key Takeaway
The ACC’s decision signals not merely an extension of tenure but a broader commitment to continuity in the government’s legal strategy during a transformative period for India’s constitutional and regulatory framework.