Constitutional Bodies — Set 6

Correct Answer: A. State Election Commission

• **State Election Commission (SEC) conducts Panchayat and Municipality polls** = The State Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections to Panchayats and Municipalities. • **Articles 243K and 243ZA** — Art.243K vests superintendence over Panchayat elections in the SEC; Art.243ZA does the same for Municipalities (73rd and 74th Amendments, 1992). • 💡 Option B (District Collector) only provides local administrative support; Option C (State Legislature) frames laws but does not conduct polls; Option D (ECI) does Parliament/Assembly polls, not local bodies — only SEC conducts local elections.

Correct Answer: C. A Judge of the High Court

• **State Election Commissioner removed like a High Court Judge** = The State Election Commissioner can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of a High Court. • **Not at Governor's pleasure** — Although appointed by the Governor, the SEC cannot be removed at the Governor's pleasure; removal needs the High Court-judge procedure, giving tenure security (Art.243K). • 💡 Option A (Chief Secretary) is removable at pleasure; Option B (District Judge) is a lower standard; Option D (Governor) is removed by President at pleasure — only the HC Judge parallel is correct.

Correct Answer: D. Article 148

• **Article 148 = independent office of CAG** = Article 148 provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, appointed by the President. • **Safeguards bundle** — Salary charged on CFI, removal only like SC judge, ineligibility for further government office after tenure — these safeguards together ensure CAG independence. • 💡 Option A (Article 150) deals with form of accounts; Option B (Article 151) deals with audit reports; Option C (Article 149) deals with duties — only 148 establishes the CAG office.

Correct Answer: B. No

• **Planning Commission = NOT a constitutional body** = The Planning Commission of India was not a constitutional or statutory body; it was an extra-constitutional advisory body. • **Executive resolution, 1950 → NITI Aayog, 2015** — It was set up by a Cabinet resolution on 15 March 1950 and dissolved on 1 January 2015, replaced by NITI Aayog (also by executive resolution). • 💡 Option A (Yes — constitutional) is factually wrong; Option C (Only initially) is fabricated; Option D (Partially) has no basis — correct answer is No.

Correct Answer: B. No

• **NITI Aayog = NOT a constitutional body** = NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is neither a constitutional nor a statutory body; it is an extra-constitutional body. • **Formed by executive resolution, 2015** — It was created by a Union Cabinet resolution on 1 January 2015, replacing the Planning Commission; it functions as the government's policy think-tank. • 💡 Option A (Yes — constitutional) is wrong; Option C (under Article 300) — Art.300 is about government suits, unrelated; Option D (by amendment) is false — no amendment created NITI Aayog.

Correct Answer: C. Union Public Service Commission

• ** = constitutional body (Article 315)** = The Union Public Service Commission is a constitutional body established under Article 315; its authority flows directly from the Constitution. • **Others are statutory** — CVC, CIC and NHRC are statutory bodies created by Acts of Parliament (CVC Act 2003, RTI Act 2005, Protection of Human Rights Act 1993), not the Constitution. • 💡 Option A (CVC) is statutory; Option B (CIC) is statutory; Option D (NHRC) is statutory — only among the four is constitutional.

Correct Answer: A. Election Commission of India

• **Delimitation Commission works with the ECI** = The Delimitation Commission carries out its task in collaboration with the Election Commission of India; the ECI provides electoral data and logistical support. • **Orders have force of law** — Orders of the Delimitation Commission are final and have the force of law; they cannot be challenged in any court. • 💡 Option B (Supreme Court) cannot review delimitation orders; Option C (Planning Commission) is dissolved and unrelated; Option D (Parliament) enacts the law but does not collaborate operationally — only ECI collaborates.

Correct Answer: D. Election Commission of India

• **ECI sets conditions for National Party recognition** = The Election Commission of India lays down the conditions for recognition of a political party as a National Party or a State Party. • **Election Symbols Order, 1968** — The recognition criteria are in the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968; status is reviewed every general election based on vote-share and seats. • 💡 Option A (Supreme Court) only adjudicates disputes; Option B (President) has no role in recognition; Option C (Parliament) frames election law but not recognition rules — only ECI sets the conditions.

Correct Answer: D. Three

• **CAG submits 3 audit reports to the President** = The CAG submits three audit reports to the President on Union accounts — appropriation accounts, finance accounts, and public undertakings. • **Route to Parliament and PAC** — The President lays all three reports before Parliament; they are then. • 💡 Option A (Two) understates the count; Option B (Four) overstates; Option C (One) is incorrect — the accepted number is three.

Correct Answer: C. Consolidated Fund of India

• ** expenses — charged on Consolidated Fund of India** = The salaries, allowances and pensions of Chairman and members, plus administrative expenses, are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India. • **Non-votable by Parliament** — Being 'charged' expenditure, these cannot be voted upon by Parliament; this entrenches's financial independence from the executive. • 💡 Option A (Ministry of Personnel Budget) is incorrect — is not a ministry sub-head; Option B (Public Account) holds trust money only; Option D (Contingency Fund) is for emergencies — only CFI is correct.