Who is the current Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India?

Concept

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is the constitutional authority established under Article 148 of the Constitution. The CAG audits the accounts of the Union and the States and is the guardian of the public purse. The CAG is appointed by the President and holds office for a term of six years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.

Application

This question is from a 2017 examination, so the answer is the person serving as CAG during that period. Shashikant Sharma assumed the office of CAG on 23 May 2013 and served until 24 September 2017. Therefore, the CAG of India at the time of this 2017 exam was Shashikant Sharma.

Cross-check / Contrast

Placing the four names on the official timeline confirms only one of them was serving as CAG in 2017:

• Shashikant Sharma served as CAG from 2013 to 2017 — the serving CAG during this 2017 exam.

• Vinod Rai served as CAG earlier, from 2008 to 2013, immediately before Shashikant Sharma.

• V. N. Kaul served as CAG still earlier, from 2002 to 2008.

• Mukul Rohatgi held a different constitutional post — Attorney General of India — and was never CAG.

Note: As this is a previous-year question, 'current' refers to the position at the time of the 2017 exam.