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Home The Constitution Part V Article 76
Art. 76 Part V: The Union

Attorney General for India

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) The President shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court to be Attorney-General for India. (2) It shall be the duty of the Attorney-General 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 or assigned to him by the President, and to discharge the functions conferred on him by or under this Constitution or any other law for the time being in force. (3) In the performance of his duties the Attorney-General shall have right of audience in all courts in the territory of India. (4) The Attorney-General shall hold office during the pleasure of the President...

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article establishes the Attorney General for India as the Union's chief legal officer — someone qualified to be a Supreme Court judge (a genuinely senior legal figure), who advises the government on legal matters and represents it in court, with the right to appear in ANY court across India.
Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

The Attorney General is the government's top lawyer, appearing in the most significant constitutional cases on the government's behalf, and providing formal legal opinions on major questions of law the government faces — a position of considerable legal and constitutional importance.

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Read alongside this one

Art. 88 — Rights of Ministers and the Attorney-General as Respects Houses of Parliament
Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 76

Is the Attorney General a government employee like a civil servant?
No — it's a distinct constitutional office, held 'during the pleasure of the President' (in practice, the government of the day), typically filled by a senior, eminent lawyer rather than a career civil servant.
Can the Attorney General also have a private legal practice?
Historically, India's Attorneys General have generally been permitted to maintain some private practice alongside the role, unlike some other countries' equivalent offices, though this has been a subject of occasional debate.
← PreviousArticle 75: Other Provisions as to MinistersNext →Article 77: Conduct of Business of the Government of India

The text above reproduces Article 76 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.