Constitutional bodies in India

Dear Sehpaathians,
We come up with an important topic for the upcoming SSC Examinations i.e. “Constitutional bodies in India”.You can expect 2 to 3 sure shot questions from this topic

Constitutional bodies in India are the bodies or institutes that have its name mentioned in Indian constitution. It derives power directly from the constitution. Any type of change in mechanism of these bodies needs constitutional amendment.

Attorney General:

• Tenure and Removal:Holds office during the pleasure of President.
• Further Appointment:YES
• Powers:Has privileges of a MP,
• Right of audience in all courts in the territory of India,
• Can attend both houses of parliament, joint sitting of parliament (but NOT entitled right to vote)

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG):

• Tenure and Removal:Holds office for 6yrs or 65 years age(whichever is earlier)
• Removal : as same as that of SC Judge
• Further Appointment:NO
• Powers:Audits the accounts related to Consolidated fund of India and states (UTs with legislative assemblies), Contingency fund as well as Public accounts fund of centre and states.
• Advisory  role regarding accounts to president
• Additional Information:His certification regarding net proceeds of any tax or duty is final.

Election Commission:

• Composition: Chief Election Commissioner + Other commissioners (appointed by President)
• Tenure and Removal:Determined by President (presently 65 yrs age or 6yrs, whichever is earlier.)
• Further Appointment :YES
• Powers:Conducting free and fair elections.
• Limits on poll expenses
• Registration of political parties.

Finance Commission:

• Composition:Chairman (Experience in public affairs) + 4 members (Judges of HC, specialized knowledge of economics, accounts and finances of Govt.)
• Further Appointment:YES
• Powers:Distribution of net proceeds of taxes between Centre and the States, to be divided as per their respective contributions to the taxes.
• Determine factors governing Grants-in Aid to the states and the magnitude of the same.
• To make recommendations to president as to the measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats and municipalities in the state on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the state.
• Additional Information:It takes into consideration both capital and revenue requirements of state in formulating devolution

National Commission for SC’s:

• Composition Chairman: , Vice Chairman, Three others
• Tenure and Removal:For a term of three years. Pleasure of president
• Further Appointment:YES
• Powers:Quasi-judicial body
• It  Monitors and reports working of constitutional safeguards for SC’s (including OBC’s and ST’s)
• While investigation and inquiry, has all the powers of a civil court

National Commission for ST’s:

• Composition:Chairman , Vice Chairman, Three others
• Tenure and Removal:For a term of three years. Pleasure of president
• Further Appointment:YES
• Powers:Quasi-judicial body
• It  Monitors and reports working of constitutional safeguards for ST’s (including OBC’s and SC’s)
• While investigation and inquiry, has all the powers of a civil court

Special officer for Linguistic Minorities:

• Composition:Commissioner assisted by deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner
• Tenure and Removal:Not mentioned by Constitution. Pleasure of president.
• Further Appointment:YES
• Powers:Monitors and reports working of constitutional safeguards for linguistic minorities

Union Public Service Commission:

• Composition: 9 – 11 members including Chairman.
• Tenure and Removal:65 yrs of age / 6 yrs of service (whichever is earlier).
• Further Appointment:They are eligible only for appointment within SPSC and UPSC (Chairman of UPSC is not eligible for another term)
• Powers:Advisory powers, recruitment of All India Services, Central services, public services of centrally administered territories.

State Public Service Commission:

• Tenure and Removal:62yrs of age/6 yrs.’ of service (whichever is earlier) Appointed by Govt