Centre revises fees for Government Counsel and Deputy Solicitors General

The Union Ministry of Law and Justice has revised the professional fees payable to Central Government Counsel and Deputy Solicitors General (DSGs), issuing a formal Office Memorandum to this effect. The revised rates will come into force from February 1, 2026, marking the first structured revision in recent years.

The decision follows assurances made by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal at the 17th National Conference of the All India Advocates’ Council in Balotra, Rajasthan, where he had acknowledged concerns over fee adequacy and delays in payments. The move is significant because it affects panel counsel representing the Union Government across the Supreme Court, High Courts, tribunals, and district and subordinate courts nationwide.

Verified facts and timeline

• February 5, 2026: Law Ministry issues Office Memorandum revising fees.

• February 1, 2026: Date from which revised rates take effect.

• 17th National Conference of All India Advocates’ Council held recently in Balotra, Rajasthan.

• Revision applies to counsel in Supreme Court, High Courts, tribunals, and district courts.

Official statements and position

The February 5, 2026 Office Memorandum states: “In respect of appearances in court etc., advocates shall be paid fees at the old rates for work done prior to 01.02.2026, and at the revised rates for work done on or after 01.02.2026.”

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal had earlier said the government would both enhance fees and address delays in disbursement.

Legal and procedural clarity

Legal policy analysts note that fee revisions are typically issued through Office Memoranda rather than legislation, as remuneration of panel counsel falls under executive administrative powers of the Law Ministry.

The revision distinguishes between “retainer/holding fee” and “effective hearing fee,” a standard practice in government litigation.

Public and professional relevance

The change affects how the Union Government is represented in thousands of cases annually, including matters involving public policy, infrastructure, taxation, and public sector enterprises.

Timely and adequate remuneration is expected to reduce disputes over payments and improve continuity of legal representation.

What has changed in the fee structure

The retainer (holding) fee for Deputy Solicitors General has been increased to ₹14,400 per month. This is a fixed component paid for availability and overall responsibility.

For effective hearings in High Courts, the fee for DSGs and Senior Central Government Standing Counsel/Senior Panel Counsel has been raised to ₹14,440 per hearing.

For other panel counsel in High Courts, the effective hearing fee has been revised to ₹3,600 per hearing.

The revision covers appearances, drafting, conference, and other professional work undertaken on or after February 1, 2026. Work completed before that date will continue to be paid at the earlier rates.

Context of the decision

At the Balotra conference, the Law Minister publicly acknowledged that many government lawyers had complained about delayed payments, particularly from public sector entities such as Coal India.

Responding to this, he stated that the government was actively working to streamline payment processes to avoid recurring delays.

He also indicated that improving remuneration was necessary to ensure competent representation for the Union Government in complex litigation.

Insurance scheme for advocates

Alongside the fee revision, the Law Minister announced that the government is working on an insurance scheme for advocates.

The proposed scheme is expected to include medical insurance, group insurance, and accident coverage for enrolled lawyers.

He also noted that a proposed Advocates Protection Act is pending before the Law Commission of India, and that other concerns raised by the legal community would be addressed in due course.

What is confirmed vs. what is under verification

Officially confirmed: The revised fee rates, their effective date (February 1, 2026), and their applicability to counsel in the Supreme Court, High Courts, tribunals, and district courts.

Under verification/implementation details pending: The final design, coverage, and rollout timeline of the proposed insurance scheme for advocates.

Disclosure

This report is based on the Union Ministry of Law and Justice’s Office Memorandum dated February 5, 2026, and public statements made by the Law Minister at the All India Advocates’ Council conference. Information may evolve as further implementation guidelines are issued.

Expert / Legal Clarification

From a legal-administrative perspective, government counsel are not salaried employees but empanelled professionals paid through a combination of retainer fees and per-hearing fees. Fee revisions are therefore administrative decisions, not judicial ones.

Legal scholars note that periodic revisions are important to reflect inflation, workload, and complexity of cases, and to maintain a capable panel of counsel for the Union Government.