Constitutional Bodies of India
A comparative analysis of key independent bodies created by the Constitution to ensure democratic functioning, accountability, and fairness.
Overview
Constitutional bodies are explicitly mentioned in the text of the Constitution of India. They derive their power, functions, and structure directly from the Constitution, making them highly independent and immune to easy legislative interference.
Independence
To ensure their autonomy, the Constitution provides safeguards such as security of tenure, charging their expenses on the Consolidated Fund of India, and strict removal procedures (similar to a Supreme Court judge).
Key Constitutional Bodies
| Body | Article | Appointment | Key Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Election Commission | Art 324 | President | Conducting free and fair elections (Parliament, State Legislatures, President, VP). |
| UPSC | Art 315-323 | President | Conducting examinations for appointment to the services of the Union. |
| Finance Commission | Art 280 | President (every 5 years) | Distribution of tax revenues between Union and States. |
| CAG | Art 148 | President | Auditing accounts of the Union and States. Guardian of the public purse. |
| Attorney General | Art 76 | President | Highest law officer in the country. Gives legal advice to the Govt of India. |
Prelims Trap Areas
NITI Aayog vs Finance Commission
NITI Aayog is an extra-constitutional, non-statutory body (created by executive resolution). The Finance Commission is a constitutional body (Art 280).
CAG's Role
Unlike the UK, India's CAG is an Auditor General but not a Comptroller. The CAG audits after the expenditure is made, and does not control the release of money.