A right of audience in every court, and no fixed term: Article 76 and the Attorney-General for India

National Constitution Law & Courts Polity & Governance

A right of audience in every court, and no fixed term: Article 76 and the Attorney-General for India

Background

Article 76 creates the office of Attorney-General for India. The President appoints someone who is qualified for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court. The duty of the office is to advise the Government of India on such legal matters, and to carry out such other duties of a legal character, as the President refers or assigns from time to time. The Attorney-General also discharges the functions given to the office by the Constitution or by any other law in force. While performing those duties the Attorney-General has a right of audience in all courts in the territory of India. The office is held during the pleasure of the President, and the remuneration is whatever the President determines. Because the Article fixes no term, the office continues only so long as the President is pleased to keep its holder in it.

Constitutional provision: Article 76 Appointed by: The President Qualification: Qualified for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court Right of audience: All courts in the territory of India Tenure: During the pleasure of the President

Why it matters for exams: Article 76 names the qualification for Attorney-General for India, the right of audience in all courts in the territory of India, and the pleasure doctrine in place of a fixed term.

Kerala PSCUPSCSSC

30 October 2026 Source: The Constitution of India, official text (Government of India, Ministry of Law and Justice) as on 9 September 2020, reproduced in full in Kamaraj College study

In plain words

Attorney-General for India The Union government's law officer created by Article 76 — The office advises the Government of India and appears for it in court.

Right of audience The right to appear and argue before a court — Article 76 extends it to every court in the territory of India.

During the pleasure of the President Holding office for as long as the President wills — There is no fixed term and no removal procedure laid down for the office.