Constitutional, Non-Constitutional Bodies

1. What is UPSC?

It is the central recruiting agency in India. It is an independent Constitutional body as it has been directly created by the Constitution.

2. Which articles contain the appointment and removal of members and powers and functions of UPSC?

Article 315 to 323 of part 14

3. What is the term of office of chairman and members of UPSC?

Hold office for 6yrs or until they attain the age of 65yrs whichever is earlier

4. Who can remove members of UPSC before their term expiry?

President

5. Which articles contain the appointment and removal of members and powers and functions of state PSC?

Article 315 to 323 of part 14

6. Who appoints the members of state PSC?

Governor of state.

7. What is the term of office of chairman and members of state PSC?

Hold office for 6yrs or until they attain the age of 62yrs whichever is earlier.

8. Who can remove members of state PSC before their term expiry?

President (not Governor)

9. What is Finance Commission?

Article 280 provides for Finance Commission as quasi judicial body. It is constituted by the President every fifth year. It consists of chairman and four other members appointed by the President. Functions of Commission is to make recommendations to the President for distribution of taxes, grants in aid of centre to state other financial matters referred by the President.

10. What are Zonal Councils?

They are non Constitutional statutory bodies created under act of Parliament. There are five Zonal Councils setup under part 3 of the State Reorganization Act 1956 – the northern Zonal Council (head quarter in New Delhi), the central Zonal Council (headquarter in Allahabad), the eastern Zonal Council (headquarter in Kolkata), the western Zonal Council (headquarter in Mumbai), the southern Zonal Council (headquarter in Chennai).

11. When were Cooperative Societies included in Constitution?

97th amendment 2011

12. In which part is Cooperative Societies?

Part 9b

13. What is Election Commission?

It is a permanent and independent body which supervises elections and decides symbols of political parties. It is established by Constitution of India. Election to panchayat and municipalities is done by the state Election Commission. It consists of one chief Election Commissioner and two other Commissioners whose powers are equal to Chief.

14. What is the term of chief Election Commissioner?

6yrs or 65yrs of age whichever is earlier.

15. How can Chief Election Commissioner removed?

In the same way as judge of Supreme Court is removed. He is not eligible for reappointment. He can’t hold any office of profit after retirement.

16. From where are the salaries of Election Commissioner done?

Consolidated Fund of India.

17. What do you know about National Human Rights Commission?

It is a statutory body and watchdog of human rights in country. It is established in 1993 by the Human Rights Act 1993. It is a multimember body containing chairman and four other members. Chairman should be retired Chief Justice of India and members should be a serving or retired judges of Supreme Court, a serving or retired Chief Justice of High Court, and two persons having knowledge and practical experience in human rights. The chairman and members hold office for term of five years or until they attain the age of 70yrs.

18. What do you know about Central Information Commission?

It was established in 2005 by central government through an official gazette notification under the provisions of the Right to Information Act 2005. It is an independent body which hears the complaints made to it for various public sector undertakings and financial institutions. The commission consists of Chief Information Commissioner and not more than ten Information Commissioners appointed by President for 5yrs or till 65yrs whichever is earlier.

19. What is Right to Information Act (RTI)?

It is a statutory and not a Constitutional act. It was passed in 2005 for citizens to access information under the control of public authorities. RTI act 2005 extends to the whole of India except Jammu and Kashmir.

20. What is Central Vigilance Commission?

It is the main agency for preventing corruption in central government. Established in 1964 by executive resolution of central government under recommendation of Santhanam Committee on prevention of corruption 1962. Originally it was neither statutory nor Constitutional body but in 2003 parliament made law making it statutory. It is multi member body containing Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioner appointed by President holding office for 4yrs or 65yrs whichever is earlier.

21. What is Central Bureau Of Investigation(CBI)?

Setup in 1963 by a resolution of Ministry of Home Affairs (later under ministry of personnel and now an attached office) under recommendation of Santhanam Committee on prevention of corruption 1962. It is not statutory body and draws power from Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946.

22. What are Lokpal and Lokayuktas?

The Administrative Reforms Committee 1966 recommended them for redressal of citizen’s grievances. The Lokpal deals with complaint against ministers and secretaries under central and state levels. Lokpal is appointed by President after consultation with Chief Justice of India, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Chairman of Rajya Sabha. First time Lokpal bill introduced in Parliament in May 1968 by Congress Government under Indira Gandhi. There is one Lokayukta at centre and one in every state dealing with complaints against other higher officials not included in Lokpal. Lokayukta first established in Maharashtra in 1971. Although Odisha passed the act in 1970 it came to force in 1983.