Tushar Mehta Reappointed Solicitor General, ASGs Get Extended Tenures
Tushar Mehta has been reappointed as the Solicitor General of India for another three-year term, effective July 1, 2026. The Centre also extended the tenures of five Additional Solicitors General for the Supreme Court and one for the Delhi High Court, ensuring continuity in the Union Government's legal representation.
Key Highlights
- Tushar Mehta reappointed as India's Solicitor General for three years.
- Appointments Committee of Cabinet approved the extension effective July 1, 2026.
- Five Supreme Court Additional Solicitors General also received three-year extensions.
- Chetan Sharma's tenure as Delhi High Court ASG extended for six months.
- Mehta's reappointment marks him among India's longest-serving law officers.
- Appointments ensure continuity in government's crucial legal representation.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has officially approved the re-appointment of Senior Advocate Tushar Mehta as the Solicitor General of India for a fresh term of three years. This significant decision ensures Mehta's continued tenure as the country's second-highest law officer, effective from July 1, 2026, or until further orders, whichever comes earlier. An order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on June 20, 2026, formalized this reappointment.
Mehta's re-appointment underscores his pivotal role in representing the Union Government in numerous high-profile constitutional, policy, and criminal matters before the Supreme Court and various High Courts across the nation. His initial appointment as Solicitor General was in October 2018, following a stint as an Additional Solicitor General. He was subsequently re-appointed for a three-year term effective July 1, 2020, and again in 2023. With this latest extension, Mehta is poised to complete approximately eleven years in the post by the end of his fresh tenure, cementing his position as one of the longest-serving law officers in India's legal history.
In addition to Mehta's extension, the ACC also sanctioned the re-appointment of several Additional Solicitors General (ASGs), vital for the government's legal representation. Five ASGs for the Supreme Court have had their terms extended for a further period of three years. These include Vikramjit Banerjee and K.M. Nataraj, whose fresh terms will commence on July 1, 2026. Furthermore, Suryaprakash V. Raju, N. Venkataraman, and Aishwarya Bhati have also been re-appointed for a three-year term, with their extensions taking effect from June 30, 2026. These reappointments are crucial for maintaining continuity and expertise in the government's legal team, especially with numerous important matters continually coming up for adjudication before the Supreme Court.
A separate decision by the ACC extended the tenure of Chetan Sharma as Additional Solicitor General for the Delhi High Court. His term has been prolonged for a period of six months, with effect from July 1, 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. This comprehensive extension of tenures for both the Solicitor General and several ASGs reflects the Centre's aim to ensure stability and experienced legal counsel in critical government cases. The news was widely reported by credible Indian legal and news portals, including Live Law, The New Indian Express, The Hindu, GKToday, Deccan Chronicle, and The Tribune, all corroborating the details of the reappointments. These appointments are integral to the functioning of the Indian legal system and the government's ability to effectively pursue and defend its positions in court. Mehta's long and distinguished service as Solicitor General has seen him lead the government's arguments in a diverse range of complex legal battles, establishing his prominence in the Indian legal landscape. The continuity provided by these reappointments is expected to benefit the government's ongoing and future legal strategies. The decisions underscore the government's trust in the capabilities and experience of these law officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tushar Mehta?
Tushar Mehta is a prominent Indian senior advocate who currently serves as the Solicitor General of India, the second-highest law officer of the Union Government, representing it in various courts, particularly the Supreme Court.
For how long has Tushar Mehta been reappointed as Solicitor General?
Tushar Mehta has been reappointed as the Solicitor General of India for a further term of three years.
When does Tushar Mehta's new term as Solicitor General begin?
His new term as Solicitor General is effective from July 1, 2026.
Which other law officers had their tenures extended?
The tenures of five Additional Solicitors General (ASGs) for the Supreme Court – Vikramjit Banerjee, K.M. Nataraj, S.V. Raju, N. Venkataraman, and Aishwarya Bhati – were extended for three years. Additionally, Chetan Sharma's term as ASG for the Delhi High Court was extended for six months.
What is the significance of these reappointments?
These reappointments ensure continuity and stability in the Union Government's legal representation before the Supreme Court and High Courts. The Solicitor General and ASGs play crucial roles in handling significant constitutional, policy, and criminal matters.