📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Constitutional Bodies
| Body | Article | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| Election Commission of India | 324 | Set up 25 Jan 1950 (National Voters' Day); multi-member since 1989 (CEC + 2 ECs); 6 years or 65; CEC removed like a SC judge. CEC & EC Act 2023: selection committee = PM + LoP + Union minister nominated by PM. First CEC: Sukumar Sen; 26th CEC: Gyanesh Kumar (since Feb 2025) |
| UPSC | 315–323 | Appointed by President; 6 yrs or 65; removed by President (after SC inquiry, Art. 317); SPSC members: 62 years |
| CAG | 148–151 | "Guardian of the public purse"; 6 yrs or 65; removed like SC judge; reports to President → Parliament (PAC); state reports to Governor |
| Finance Commission | 280 | Quasi-judicial; every 5 years, chairman + 4; first: K.C. Neogy (1951); 16th: Arvind Panagariya (period 2026–31) |
| NCSC | 338 | Separated from ST commission by 89th Amendment (2003) |
| NCST | 338A | 89th Amendment 2003 |
| NCBC | 338B | 102nd Amendment 2018 |
| GST Council | 279A | Chair: Union Finance Minister; 101st Amendment |
| Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities | 350B | 7th Amendment 1956 |
| Attorney General / Advocate General | 76 / 165 | See chapters 11 and 14 |
📌 2. Statutory & Non-constitutional Bodies
| Body | Basis/Year | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| NHRC | Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 | Chair: retired CJI or SC judge (2019 amendment); term 3 years or 70 |
| CVC | Santhanam Committee 1964; statutory 2003 | CVC + 2 VCs; 4 years or 65 |
| CBI | 1963, DSPE Act 1946 | Not statutory; Director chosen by PM + LoP + CJI |
| Lokpal | Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 | Chair + 8 members (50% judicial); first chair Pinaki Chandra Ghose (2019); present chair A.M. Khanwilkar (since 2024) |
| CIC | RTI Act 2005 | Since 2019 amendment the Centre fixes term (3 years) |
| NITI Aayog | 1 Jan 2015, Cabinet resolution | Replaced Planning Commission (1950); neither constitutional nor statutory; chaired by PM |
| NCW | 1992 (1990 Act) | Statutory |
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- Constitutional (Article in Constitution): ECI, UPSC, CAG, FC, NCSC, NCST, NCBC. Statutory (Act of Parliament): NHRC, CVC, Lokpal, CIC, NCW. Executive: NITI Aayog, CBI (earlier Planning Commission).
- UPSC chair/members till 65, SPSC till 62 — both removed by the President.
📌 3. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. The Election Commission of India is under which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 324.
Art. 324.
Q2. National Voters' Day is observed on: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
ECI was set up on 25 Jan 1950.
ECI was set up on 25 Jan 1950.
Q3. Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Sukumar Sen (1950–58).
Sukumar Sen (1950–58).
Q4. Under the CEC & EC Act 2023, who is NOT on the selection committee? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The 2023 Act left the CJI out of the committee.
The 2023 Act left the CJI out of the committee.
Q5. Who is called the "guardian of the public purse"? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
CAG — Art. 148.
CAG — Art. 148.
Q6. To whom does the CAG submit reports relating to the Union? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
To the President → laid before Parliament → examined by PAC.
To the President → laid before Parliament → examined by PAC.
Q7. The Finance Commission is constituted under which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 280 — every 5 years.
Art. 280 — every 5 years.
Q8. Who chairs the 16th Finance Commission? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
16th FC (2026–31) — Arvind Panagariya; 15th — N.K. Singh.
16th FC (2026–31) — Arvind Panagariya; 15th — N.K. Singh.
Q9. Who chaired the First Finance Commission? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
K.C. Neogy (1951).
K.C. Neogy (1951).
Q10. Up to what age do UPSC members hold office? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
6 years or 65, whichever earlier.
6 years or 65, whichever earlier.
Q11. NCBC is under which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
102nd Amendment — 338B.
102nd Amendment — 338B.
Q12. Which amendment separated the national commissions for SC and ST? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The 89th Amendment added 338A.
The 89th Amendment added 338A.
Q13. Which of these is a constitutional body? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
FC is under Art. 280; others are statutory/executive.
FC is under Art. 280; others are statutory/executive.
Q14. NHRC was established under which Act? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The 1993 Act.
The 1993 Act.
Q15. The CVC was set up on the recommendation of which committee? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Santhanam Committee, 1964.
Santhanam Committee, 1964.
Q16. NITI Aayog replaced: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Replaced the Planning Commission on 1 Jan 2015.
Replaced the Planning Commission on 1 Jan 2015.
Q17. Who are on the committee selecting the CBI Director? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Since the Lokpal Act 2013 — PM, LoP (or leader of largest opposition party), CJI.
Since the Lokpal Act 2013 — PM, LoP (or leader of largest opposition party), CJI.
Q18. Who was the first chairperson of the Lokpal? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Pinaki Chandra Ghose, March 2019.
Pinaki Chandra Ghose, March 2019.
Q19. Who chairs the GST Council? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 279A — Union Finance Minister.
Art. 279A — Union Finance Minister.
Q20. Who is the 26th Chief Election Commissioner (since Feb 2025)? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Gyanesh Kumar took charge on 19 Feb 2025.
Gyanesh Kumar took charge on 19 Feb 2025.