Tushar Mehta is an Indian lawyer and senior advocate who serves as the Solicitor General of India, the country’s second-highest law officer. He represents the Union government in important legal proceedings and has appeared in cases involving constitutional interpretation, national security, citizenship, electoral matters and disputes between the central and state governments.
Mehta began his legal career in Gujarat before moving into government law offices. He served as Additional Advocate General of Gujarat, became an Additional Solicitor General of India in 2014 and assumed the Solicitor General’s position in October 2018. In June 2026, the government approved his reappointment for another three-year term beginning July 1, 2026.
Alongside his courtroom work, Mehta has written about legal practice and the experiences of lawyers and judges. His book, The Bench, the Bar, and the Bizarre and The Lawful and the Awful, was released in May 2026 at an event attended by senior government and judicial figures.
Who Is Tushar Mehta?
Tushar Mehta is an Indian legal professional known for representing the Union government in major cases before the Supreme Court of India and other courts. As Solicitor General, he is responsible for presenting the government’s legal position in matters assigned to him and working alongside the Attorney General and other law officers.
His work has brought him into proceedings involving constitutional law, public administration, national security, religious institutions, taxation and civil liberties. The cases he handles often involve questions about how legislation should be interpreted, whether government action complies with the law and how constitutional provisions apply to particular disputes.
Mehta is a senior advocate with a career spanning private legal practice and public service. His appointment as Solicitor General in 2018 marked a major step in his career, and successive reappointments have kept him in the role through 2026.
How Old Is Tushar Mehta?
Tushar Mehta was born on September 11, 1964, according to widely published biographical records. He is 62 years old as of October 2026.
He was born in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. His professional career developed in Gujarat before he took on national responsibilities in the central government’s legal team.
Where Is Tushar Mehta From?
Mehta is from Jamnagar in the western Indian state of Gujarat. He studied law at Gujarat University and began practising as an advocate in the state.
Gujarat remained an important part of his early professional life. He practised before the Gujarat High Court, later received designation as a senior advocate and eventually served in the state’s law office as Additional Advocate General.
His experience in state-level litigation preceded his appointment to national government positions in New Delhi.
Tushar Mehta’s Education
Mehta studied law at Gujarat University. Published biographical accounts state that he earned his law degree and received five gold medals during his academic career.
His legal education provided the foundation for a career in litigation, government representation and constitutional cases. After graduating, he enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Gujarat in 1987.
He subsequently developed his practice through work before the Gujarat High Court and other legal forums. His professional advancement included designation as a senior advocate in 2008, a recognition associated with experience and standing at the Bar.
How Tushar Mehta Started His Legal Career
Mehta began practising law in the late 1980s after enrolling with the Bar Council of Gujarat in 1987. He initially built his career in Gujarat, where he worked on litigation and developed experience in the state’s legal system.
His early professional years provided the groundwork for later appointments involving government representation. He went on to become a senior advocate at the Gujarat High Court in 2008.
A senior advocate designation recognizes a lawyer’s professional standing and experience. It is separate from appointment to a government law office, which involves representing the state or Union government in specified legal proceedings.
Mehta’s career subsequently moved from state-level responsibilities to national legal service, culminating in his appointment as Solicitor General of India.
Tushar Mehta’s Career in Government Law Offices
Mehta’s public legal career has included several senior positions.
Additional Advocate General of Gujarat
Mehta served as Additional Advocate General of Gujarat from 2008 to 2014. In this role, he represented the state government in legal proceedings and worked on matters involving state administration and public law.
The position gave him experience in government litigation before he moved to a central government law office.
Additional Solicitor General of India
In June 2014, Mehta was appointed Additional Solicitor General of India. The position placed him among the Union government’s senior legal representatives and involved appearing in significant cases on its behalf.
He held the position until October 2018, when he became Solicitor General.
Solicitor General of India
Mehta assumed office as Solicitor General on October 10, 2018. He became one of the principal lawyers representing the Union government in the Supreme Court and other courts.
His appointment was renewed in 2023 and again in 2026. The 2026 reappointment took effect on July 1 and was for three years or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.
The Solicitor General is the second-highest law officer of the Government of India, below the Attorney General. The role involves presenting legal arguments for the Union government, advising on assigned matters and assisting in the conduct of important cases.
Tushar Mehta’s Major Court Cases
Mehta’s position has brought him into several high-profile legal disputes. His role in these cases is to present the government’s legal position, not to act as a judge or make the final decision.
Constitutional and Government Policy Cases
Mehta has represented the Union government in cases concerning constitutional interpretation, government policy and the relationship between the central government and the states.
Such proceedings can involve challenges to legislation, disputes over administrative authority and questions about how constitutional protections apply. The outcome depends on the arguments presented by the parties and the court’s interpretation of the law.
Citizenship and National Security
His work has also included cases involving citizenship, national security and related government measures. These proceedings can raise questions about statutory powers, procedural safeguards and the legal responsibilities of public authorities.
Because the cases may be politically contentious, it is important to distinguish the government’s arguments from the final judgments issued by courts.
Religious Institutions and Public Law
Mehta has appeared for the Union government in disputes involving religious institutions and questions of public law. These cases can require courts to consider constitutional rights, statutory rules and the legal boundaries of government intervention.
His role in these proceedings has contributed to his public profile as one of the central government’s principal courtroom representatives.
Same-Sex Partners and Tax Benefits in 2026
In September 2026, Mehta presented the Union government’s position in a case involving a same-sex couple seeking recognition of the term “spouse” for tax-benefit purposes under the Income Tax Act.
The government’s position opposed the petitioners’ challenge to the statutory definition. The matter formed part of a wider legal discussion about how existing tax legislation applies to same-sex partners.
The submission was the government’s argument in court, not a judicial ruling on the issue. Any final legal position depends on the relevant court’s decision.
Tushar Mehta’s Books and Writing Career
Mehta is also an author. In May 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah released his book, The Bench, the Bar, and the Bizarre and The Lawful and the Awful, at an event in New Delhi.
The book draws on courtroom experiences and explores the people, situations and unusual moments that can arise in legal practice. Its title combines the formal world of law with the unexpected and sometimes humorous aspects of life in court.
The launch was attended by senior figures, including Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, according to the government’s Press Information Bureau report.
The publication adds a writing dimension to Mehta’s career. His main professional responsibilities, however, remain connected to legal practice and government representation.
Tushar Mehta’s Latest News in 2026
Several developments have kept Mehta in the news during 2026.
Reappointed as Solicitor General in June 2026
In June 2026, the government approved Mehta’s reappointment as Solicitor General for another three years. His new term began on July 1, 2026, or will continue until further orders, whichever occurs earlier.
The reappointment maintained his position as one of the Union government’s principal legal representatives before the Supreme Court and other courts.
Book Released in May 2026
On May 10, 2026, Amit Shah released Mehta’s book The Bench, the Bar, and the Bizarre and The Lawful and the Awful. The event brought attention to his writing alongside his legal career.
Supreme Court Hearing on Jharkhand’s DGP Appointment Rules in October 2026
In October 2026, Mehta represented the Centre in proceedings concerning a Jharkhand government rule that removed a six-month residual-service requirement for appointing a Director General of Police.
The Supreme Court questioned whether the state rule conflicted with the standards established in the Prakash Singh case on police reform. Mehta argued that the rule was inconsistent with the Court’s guidelines and had been introduced without the Court’s approval.
The proceedings concerned the legality of the state rule and its relationship with existing judicial directions. The arguments made by Mehta and other lawyers should be distinguished from the Court’s eventual determination.
Tushar Mehta’s Wife and Family
Mehta’s public profile focuses mainly on his legal career. Published biographical accounts state that he has two children, but reliable information about his spouse and other family details is limited in the professional sources consulted for this biography.
For that reason, details about his wife’s name, occupation or private life should not be stated without a reliable source confirming them. His professional record provides a clearer account of his public career than the information available about his family.
Tushar Mehta’s Achievements and Career Milestones
Mehta’s career includes several significant milestones:
- Enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council of Gujarat in 1987.
- Designated a senior advocate by the Gujarat High Court in 2008.
- Served as Additional Advocate General of Gujarat from 2008 to 2014.
- Appointed Additional Solicitor General of India in 2014.
- Became Solicitor General of India on October 10, 2018.
- Reappointed to the Solicitor General’s position in 2023 and again in 2026.
- Published The Bench, the Bar, and the Bizarre and The Lawful and the Awful, released in May 2026.
These milestones show the progression of his career from legal practice in Gujarat to one of the most senior government law offices in India.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tushar Mehta
What is Tushar Mehta’s full name?
He is publicly known as Tushar Mehta. The professional sources consulted identify him by that name.
How old is Tushar Mehta?
He is 62 years old as of October 2026, based on a reported birth date of September 11, 1964.
Where was Tushar Mehta born?
He was born in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
What is Tushar Mehta’s educational qualification?
He studied law at Gujarat University. Published biographical accounts state that he received five gold medals during his legal studies.
Is Tushar Mehta a senior advocate?
Yes. The Gujarat High Court designated him a senior advocate in 2008.
What is Tushar Mehta’s current position?
As of October 2026, he serves as Solicitor General of India. His latest reappointment began on July 1, 2026, for a further three-year term or until further orders, whichever occurs earlier.
When did Tushar Mehta become Solicitor General?
He assumed office on October 10, 2018.
What did Tushar Mehta do before becoming Solicitor General?
He served as Additional Advocate General of Gujarat and later as Additional Solicitor General of India.
Has Tushar Mehta written a book?
Yes. His book The Bench, the Bar, and the Bizarre and The Lawful and the Awful was released in May 2026.
Who is Tushar Mehta’s wife?
Reliable professional biographies consulted for this article do not clearly establish his wife’s name. It is best not to publish an unverified name.
What is Tushar Mehta known for?
He is known for representing the Union government in major court cases, serving as Solicitor General of India and writing about legal practice.
Conclusion
Tushar Mehta’s career has moved from legal practice in Gujarat to senior positions representing state and central governments. His work as Additional Advocate General, Additional Solicitor General and Solicitor General has placed him in significant legal proceedings involving constitutional questions, public policy and government authority.
His reappointment in 2026 and the release of his book that year have kept his professional work in the public eye. As Solicitor General, his role is to present the Union government’s legal position, while the courts remain responsible for deciding the cases before them.
His biography is therefore best understood through his legal training, public appointments, courtroom work and writing, with clear distinctions between government arguments and judicial outcomes.