BackLAW
Vijay Narayan earns rare distinction of being Advocate General under two different governments
Vijay Narayan served as Tamil Nadu’s Advocate General from August 2017 to May 2021 under the AIADMK government. He has returned to the office after a five-year gap during DMK rule, marking a rare instance of serving under two different governments. He comes from a prominent legal lineage, being the nephew of former Attorney General K.K. Venugopal and the grandson of M.K. Nambyar.
Why It Matters
This event underscores a rare continuity of the role across different state governments, highlighting Narayan’s standing in the legal profession and the perceived continuity of constitutional law advocacy in Tamil Nadu.
Timeline
6 Events
Second tenure as Advocate General
May 13, 2026
Returned to the office as Advocate General, marking his second tenure under a different state government after five years of DMK rule.
End of first term and succession
May 2021
Resigned as Advocate General; succeeded by R. Shunmugasundaram and P.S. Raman.
First term as Advocate General
August 2017
Appointed Advocate General of Tamil Nadu for the first time under the AIADMK government.
Education: Madras Law College degree
1982
He obtained a law degree from Madras Law College in 1982.
Education: Loyola College graduation
1977
Narayan completed his graduation from Loyola College in 1977.
Panikkar's States Reorganisation Commission (ancestor context)
1953
Sardar K.M. Panikkar, Narayan's maternal grandfather, was one of the three members of the States Reorganisation Commission in 1953.