UPSC Prelims 2022 Question:

Consider the following statements:

1. Attorney General of India and Solicitor General of India are the only officers of the Government who are allowed to participate in the meetings of the Parliament of India.
2. According to the Constitution of India, the Attorney General of India submits his resignation when the Government which appointed him resigns.
   
   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation:

• In the performance of his official duties, the Attorney General has the right of audience in all courts in the territory of India. Further, as per the Article 88, he has the right to speak and to take part in the proceedings of both the Houses of Parliament or their joint sitting and any committee of the Parliament of which he may be named a member, but without a right to vote. Solicitor General has no similar right to participate in the parliamentary meetings. So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  
• Attorney General holds office during the pleasure of the president. This means that he may be removed by the president at any time. He may also quit his office by submitting his resignation to the president. Conventionally, he resigns when the government (council of ministers) resigns or is replaced, as he is appointed on its advice. Thus, it is a convention and not mentioned in the Constitution of India. So, statement 2 is not correct. 
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity| Constitutional and Non-constitutional bodies