Constitutional Bodies

Article 324 of the Constitution provides for the superintendence, direction, and control of elections to be vested in an Election Commission.

The Chairman and members of the UPSC hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is known as the 'Guardian of the Public Purse' as they control the entire financial system of the country at both the Centre and the State levels.

Under Article 280, the President of India constitutes a Finance Commission every five years or at such earlier time as they consider necessary.

The National Commission for Women was established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, making it a statutory body, not a constitutional one.

Although the members of the State Public Service Commission are appointed by the Governor, they can only be removed by the President of India.

Article 76 provides for the office of the Attorney General for India, who is the highest law officer in the country.

The administrative expenses of the office of the CAG, including all salaries and allowances, are charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India.

Article 338 deals with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, while Article 338A deals with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

As per the Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, the Chairman should be a person having experience in public affairs.

Election Commissioners can be removed by the President of India on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

The Attorney General of India is appointed by the President and holds office during the pleasure of the President.

The Election Commission is responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President.

Article 350B provides for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities to be appointed by the President of India.

The GST Council, a constitutional body under Article 279A, makes recommendations to the Union and States on issues related to Goods and Services Tax.

All these measures are provided in the Constitution to ensure the CAG performs his duties without external pressure.

Article 165 provides for the office of the Advocate General for the States, who is the highest law officer in the state.

The 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes by inserting Article 338B.

The President of India has the power to fix the number of Election Commissioners from time to time.

Under Article 88, the Attorney General has the right to speak and participate in the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament but does not have the right to vote.

Article 165 provides for the office of the Advocate General, who is the highest law officer in the state.

The Chairman and members of the UPSC hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Under Article 318, the President of India has the power to make regulations to determine the number of members of the Commission and their conditions of service.

The Attorney General of India, appointed under Article 76, acts as the chief legal advisor and primary lawyer for the Government of India.

The 89th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, bifurcated the former National Commission for SCs and STs into two separate bodies, creating Article 338-A for the NCST.

Unlike the CAG or the Supreme Court judges, the administrative expenses of the Election Commission are not charged upon the Consolidated Fund; they are subject to parliamentary vote.

Under Article 280, the Finance Commission is tasked with making recommendations regarding the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States.

Article 350-B was inserted by the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956, providing for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities to be appointed by the President.

Though the Governor appoints members of the SPSC, they can only be removed by the President after an inquiry by the Supreme Court as per Article 317.

The CAG is provided with security of tenure and can only be removed by the President on grounds of proved misbehavior or incapacity in the same manner as a Judge of the Supreme Court.

The GST Council was created by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016, and is mandated under Article 279-A.

The Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951, specifies qualifications including judicial experience or specialized knowledge in economics/finance, but does not include holding a Cabinet position.

As per Article 151, the CAG submits the audit reports relating to the accounts of the Union to the President, who then causes them to be laid before each House of Parliament.

The NCBC investigates and monitors all matters relating to the safeguards provided for socially and educationally backward classes under the Constitution.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (under Article 338) is vested with the powers of a civil court to summon witnesses and enforce the production of documents.

Although the Chairman and members of the SPSC are removed by the President, they are appointed by the Governor of the concerned state.

The Attorney General holds office during the pleasure of the President, meaning they can be removed by the President at any time without specific grounds.

Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction, and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President in the Election Commission.

As per Article 319, upon ceasing to hold office, the Chairman of the UPSC is ineligible for further employment either under the Government of India or the Government of a State.

As per Article 279-A, the Union Finance Minister acts as the Chairperson of the GST Council.

Article 323 provides that the Union Public Service Commission shall present annually to the President a report as to the work done by the Commission.

Under Article 76, the Attorney General has the right of audience in all courts in the territory of India in the performance of his official duties.

Article 146 states that administrative expenses of the Supreme Court shall be determined by the Chief Justice of India or such other judge as he may appoint.

Article 321 provides that an Act of Parliament may provide for the exercise of additional functions by the UPSC regarding the services of the Union or the State.

The Finance Commission is constituted every five years by the President, whereas others like the Election Commission, UPSC, and CAG are permanent.

The 89th Amendment Act, 2003, bifurcated the erstwhile National Commission for SCs and STs into two separate bodies under Article 338 and 338-A respectively.

According to Article 324(5), the President determines the conditions of service and tenure of office of the Election Commissioners.

The CAG does not have the constitutional mandate to audit local bodies; the State Legislature provides for the audit of local government accounts.

The Attorney General is assisted by the Solicitor General of India and several Additional Solicitor Generals in the performance of his duties.

Under Article 350-B, the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities submits reports to the President, who lays them before each House of Parliament.