Constitutional Bodies
Constitution Special · संवैधानिक निकाय
📋Quick Overview
The Indian Constitution establishes several independent constitutional bodies to ensure free, fair and impartial governance. These include the Election Commission (Art 324), Comptroller & Auditor General (Art 148), Union Public Service Commission (Art 315–323), Finance Commission (Art 280), and Attorney General (Art 76). These bodies derive their authority directly from the Constitution and cannot be abolished by ordinary legislation. Their independence is protected through security of tenure and removal processes similar to Supreme Court judges.
Constitutional bodies are created by the Constitution itself (cannot be abolished by Parliament). Statutory bodies are created by Acts of Parliament (e.g., NHRC, NCW, NHB). Key difference for exams: Election Commission = Constitutional; Human Rights Commission = Statutory.
📖Key Constitutional Bodies — Table
| Body | Article | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|
| Election Commission of India (ECI) | Art 324 | Independent body; CEC + 2 Election Commissioners (since 1993 — multi-member); CEC cannot be removed except by same process as SC judge (impeachment by Parliament); term: 6 years or age 65 (whichever earlier) |
| Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) | Art 148 | Audits all accounts of Union and State governments; reports to President/Governor; appointed by President; term 6 years or age 65; removed like SC judge |
| Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) | Art 315–323 | Conducts Civil Services exams (IAS, IPS, IFS); advisory body; Chairman + members appointed by President; Chairman cannot be reappointed after retirement; 6-year term or age 65 |
| Finance Commission | Art 280 | Constituted by President every 5 years; recommends tax devolution to states (vertical + horizontal); recommends grants-in-aid; 15th FC (2021–26): N.K. Singh Chairman; 41% tax to states (14th FC had 42%) |
| Attorney General of India (AG) | Art 76 | India's highest law officer; advises government on legal matters; appears before SC and all courts; appointed by President; holds office at pleasure of President; not a government employee; receives fees, not salary |
| Solicitor General (SG) | Not in Constitution (statutory) | Second highest law officer; assists AG; appears before SC; appointed by Government of India |
| National Commission for SC (NCSC) | Art 338 | Constitutional body; investigates safeguards for SCs; presents annual report to President |
| National Commission for ST (NCST) | Art 338A | Constitutional body (89th Amendment 2003 — separated from NCSC); safeguards for Scheduled Tribes |
| National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) | Art 338B (102nd Amendment 2018) | Constitutional status given by 102nd Amendment 2018; safeguards for OBCs; reports to President |