POLITY GLOSSARY (P005)
#1 Basics of Polity
#2 Legislature
#3 Executive
#4 Judiciary
#5 Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
#6 Miscellaneous
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110005, New Delhi.
POLITY GLOSSARY (P005)
V. Constitutional and Statutory Bodies
S. No. Terms Explanation
1.
Constitutional Bodies Constitutional bodies are those bodies which are mentioned in the
constitution for running the government properly and any change in
provisions relating to these bodies requires an amendment in the
constitution.
2.
Statutory Bodies Statutory Bodies are those bodies whose existence is on the basis of
statute (act) of the Parliament. Any changes relating to these bodies
require an amendment through an ordinary bill passed in the
Parliament.
3.
Extra Constitutional Extra Constitutional Bodies are those bodies which are formed from
Bodies an executive decision. They neither are mentioned in the Constitution
nor are created by the statue of the Parliament.
4.
Comptroller and CAG is a constitutional authority established under article 148 which
Auditor General (CAG) is empowered to audit all the receipts and expenditure of the central
government, state governments as well as of those bodies and
authorities which are substantially financed by the government.
Based on audit reports of CAG, legislatures are able to hold the
executive accountable.
5.
Election commission Election commission is a constitutional body established under
article 324 which is responsible for holding free and fair elections in
the country at the level of the centre and state as well as elections to
the post of president and vice president.
6.
Finance commission The Finance Commission is a constitutional body established under
Article 280 which is expected to provide recommendations to the
President on such matters such as distribution of net proceeds of
taxes between the Centre and the states as well as between the states
and others.
7.
Inter-state councils Inter-state council is a non-permanent constitutional body under
Article 263 set-up to increase coordination between the states and
between Centre and states. The President can establish such a council
if at any time it appears to him that the public interest would be
served by its establishment.
8.
Union Public Service Union Public Service Commission is a multi-member high-level
Commission (UPSC) independent constitutional body that carries out recruitment for
posts and services under the Union government and also acts as a key
advisory body to the government in matters of disciplinary
proceedings, appointments, promotions etc.
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110005, New Delhi.
POLITY GLOSSARY (P005)
9.
State public service State Public Service Commissions are counterparts of the Union
commission (SPSC) Public Service Commission at State level. Their main function is to
carry out recruitment for certain posts and services under the State
government and to act as an advisory body in matters of
appointments, promotions, disciplinary proceedings etc.
10.
National Commission National Commission on Scheduled Castes is a multi-member
of Scheduled Castes constitutional body created under Article 338 that works to protect
(NCSC) and promote the rights and interests of Scheduled Castes. It
comprises expert members and has powers of a civil court to examine
complaints of violation of the rights of Scheduled Castes.
11.
National Commission National Commission on Scheduled Tribes is a multi-member
of Scheduled Tribes constitutional body created under Article 338A (after creation of
(NCST) NCSC) that works to protect and promote the rights and interests of
Scheduled Tribes. It comprises expert members and has powers of a
civil court to examine complaints of violation of the rights of
Scheduled Castes.
12.
National Commission National Commission on Backward Classes is a high-level
on Backward Classes multi-member constitutional body set up under Article 338B through
(NCBC) the recent 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act which provides it
similar status, functions and powers as those of the NCSC/ST. Its key
function is to recommend inclusion/exclusion of communities under
the OBC list, examine complaints of violation of their rights and
advise the government regarding promotion of well-being of OBCs.
13.
Special Officer for The Special Officer for Linguistic Minority is an officer appointed by
Linguistic Minority the President under Article 350B to investigate all matters relating to
linguistic safeguards provided under the Constitution and send
reports to the President upon those matters which shall be laid before
the Parliament/State Legislature, thereby upholding the cultural and
educational fundamental rights of linguistic minorities.
14.
NITI Aayog NITI (National Institute for Transforming India) Aayog is a successor
to the erstwhile Planning Commission acting as a think tank for the
Government of India chaired by the Prime Minister having several
experts as its members. It differs from its predecessor as it provides
participation to States, does not exercise financial powers and
incorporates certain 21st century objectives.
15.
Planning Commission Planning Commission was a non-statutory expert advisory body
created by the Central Government in 1950 for the purpose of
formulating five-year plans, overseeing their execution and also
transferring Central financial assistance to States.
16.
National Human National Human Rights Commission is an autonomous statutory
Rights Commission body created in 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993
(NHRC)
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110005, New Delhi.
POLITY GLOSSARY (P005)
that seeks to protect and promote human rights by inquiring into
violations, initiating inquiries, spreading awareness and so on.
17.
State Human Rights State Human Rights Commissions are the counterparts of NHRC
Commission (SHRC) created at State level under the PHR Act 1993 to perform similar
functions. Its members are appointed by the Governor and it inquires
into human rights violations in respect of matters that come under
the State government
18.
Central Information Central Information Commission is a statutory independent body
Commission (CIC) created under the Right to Information Act 2005 to act as an appellate
body for enforcement of the Right to Information, initiate inquiries
into violations and secure compliance of its decisions by issuing
necessary directions and advice.
19.
State Information State Information Commissions are counterparts of CIC at State level
Commission (SIC) whose members are appointed by the Governor and which exercises
powers and functions similar to CIC in respect of organizations and
matters under State government.
20.
Central Vigilance Central Vigilance Commission is an autonomous body created to
Commission (CVC) prevent and fight corruption under the Central government by
receiving complaints, giving recommendations in disciplinary
matters, monitor vigilance work and exercise superintendence over
CBI. It was given statutory status in 2003 under the Prevention of
Corruption Act.
21.
Central Bureau of The Central Bureau of Investigation is the apex investigative agency
Investigation (CBI) of the Government of India covering crimes like corruption, financial
crimes, cyber crimes, heinous crimes and so on. It was created as a
non-statutory body in 1963 on the recommendations of the
Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption and works under
the Department of Personnel and Training.
22.
Lokpal and Lokayukta The Lokpal (at Centre) and Lokayukta (in States) are the statutory
anti-corruption ombudsman institutions of India created under the
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 in the aftermath of the Jan Lokpal
movement. It is a collegial independent powerful body to receive
complaints of corruption, initiate inquiries and prosecute the accused
under its wide jurisdiction covering elected as well as appointed
public servants.
This document is created by ForumIAS Academy. ForumIAS Academy, 19, IAPL House, PUSA Road, Karol Bagh
110005, New Delhi.