The Central Government has extended the tenure of Shri R. Venkataramani as the Attorney General for India for a further period of two years. The reappointment will be effective from October 1, 2025, ensuring continuity for the Union government’s top law officer.
A notification to this effect was issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice (Department of Legal Affairs) on September 26, 2025. The gazette notification, bearing the number F. No. J-11011/1/2022-Judicial, stated, “The President is pleased to re-appoint Shri R. Venkataramani, Senior Advocate as Attorney General for India for a further period of two years with effect from 01.10.2025.”
Background of the Appointment
Senior Advocate R. Venkataramani was first appointed as the 16th Attorney General for India on October 1, 2022, for a term of three years. He succeeded Shri K. K. Venugopal, who had held the office since 2017. Mr. Venkataramani’s initial term was set to conclude on September 30, 2025.
A veteran lawyer with a distinguished career spanning over four decades, Mr. Venkataramani was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court of India in 1997. He has served as a member of the Law Commission of India in 2010 and 2013 and has represented the Union government, various state governments, and public sector undertakings in crucial matters before the Supreme Court and several High Courts.
Constitutional Mandate of the Attorney General
The office of the Attorney General for India is a constitutional post established under Article 76 of the Constitution of India. As the highest law officer in the country, the Attorney General is the chief legal advisor to the Government of India.
The key duties of the Attorney General include:
- Advising the government on legal matters referred by the President.
- Representing the Government of India in all cases in the Supreme Court and in any reference made by the President to the Supreme Court under Article 143 of the Constitution.
- Appearing in any high court in any case in which the Government of India is concerned.
The Attorney General is appointed by the President and must be a person qualified to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court. They hold office during the pleasure of the President.
Decision and Continuation
The decision to reappoint Mr. Venkataramani ensures that he will continue to lead the government’s legal team in significant constitutional and legal matters before the apex court and other judicial forums. The extension provides stability in the government’s legal representation on a wide array of complex issues. With this extension, Shri R. Venkataramani will now serve as the Attorney General for India until at least September 30, 2027.
