Born in 1950, R. Venkataramani is a senior advocate and constitutional lawyer who became India’s 16th attorney-general on 1 October 2022. He studied at Loyola College and at Dr Ambedkar Government Law College (Madras Law College), was designated senior advocate in 1997, and served on the Law Commission of India in 2010 and 2013.
What’s new: re-appointment
The Union government has re-appointed Mr Venkataramani for a further two-year term with effect from 1 October 2025 — the day after his initial three-year term ends — running to 30 September 2027.
Track record before becoming attorney-general
- Supreme Court receiver, Amrapali (since 2019). Appointed by the Supreme Court to manage stalled real-estate projects and protect homebuyers’ interests; he has filed periodic updates with the Court.
- Public-law and government work. Longstanding appearances for the Union and several states; advisory roles including indirect-tax matters; member, Law Commission of India.
First term as attorney-general (2022–2025): selected notes
- Constitutional and statutory matters. Led or assisted the Union in high-profile cases before the Supreme Court while continuing his court-appointed receiver duties in Amrapali.
- On ED summons to lawyers. In July 2025 told the Supreme Court that investigative agencies had been instructed not to summon lawyers for legal opinions — acknowledging an earlier error by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and reinforcing professional privilege.
Reputation and professional style
Media and institutional profiles describe Mr Venkataramani as a widely experienced courtroom lawyer with more than four decades’ practice, noted for constitutional work, steady advisory roles for government and careful stewardship of complex litigation such as Amrapali.
Why the re-appointment matters
- Continuity. Ensures stability at the Union’s top law office as major litigation and policy defence continue through 2026–27.
Institutional memory. Preserves leadership in long-running matters (including Amrapali) where the attorney-general also holds court-appointed responsibilities.
