Constitutional and Statutory Bodies
Constitutional and Statutory Bodies
Some bodies are created by the Constitution itself (constitutional), others by a law of Parliament (statutory) or by an executive decision. NTPC asks the article, the composition, the term and the head of each body, and whether it is constitutional or not.
1. Constitutional Bodies
| Body | Article | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| Election Commission | 324 | Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners; conducts elections to Parliament, state legislatures, President and Vice-President; National Voters' Day 25 January (EC founded 1950) |
| Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) | 148 | Appointed by the President; term 6 years or up to 65 years of age, whichever is earlier; reports go to the PAC |
| UPSC | 315-323 | Members hold office for 6 years or up to 65 years of age |
| Finance Commission | 280 | Set up every 5 years by the President; recommends sharing of taxes; 16th Finance Commission chaired by Arvind Panagariya |
| Attorney General | 76 | Highest law officer |
| National Commission for SCs | 338 |
2. Non-Constitutional Bodies
| Body | Basis | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| NITI Aayog | Executive resolution, 1 January 2015 | Replaced the Planning Commission (1950); chaired by the Prime Minister |
| National Human Rights Commission | Protection of Human Rights Act 1993 | Chairperson a former Chief Justice or judge of the Supreme Court |
| National Commission for Women | Act of 1990 | Set up in 1992 |
| Central Vigilance Commission | CVC Act 2003 (set up 1964 on the Santhanam Committee's advice) | |
| CBI | Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946 (set up 1963) | |
| Lokpal | Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 | First Lokpal Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose (2019) |
✗ NITI Aayog is a constitutional body | ✓ It was set up by an executive resolution in 2015
✗ The CAG holds office for 5 years | ✓ The term is 6 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier
हिंदी नोट: संवैधानिक निकाय: निर्वाचन आयोग (अनुच्छेद 324), नियंत्रक एवं महालेखा परीक्षक (148, कार्यकाल 6 वर्ष या 65 वर्ष की आयु), संघ लोक सेवा आयोग (315) और वित्त आयोग (280)। नीति आयोग 1 जनवरी 2015 को कार्यकारी संकल्प से बना और योजना आयोग की जगह लिया।
Exam Pointer: Verified NTPC pattern: the term of office of the CAG (August 2025 UG CBT-1). Questions on articles, constitutional status and heads of other bodies are tagged syllabus-based.
Pariksha Pattern: Every Way NTPC Asks This Topic
Pattern 1: Terms and appointments
[PYQ: NTPC UG CBT-1 13-Aug-2025 Shift-1]
EXAM LEVEL
Q. What is the term of office of the Comptroller and Auditor General?
6 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
Answer: 6 years or 65 years of age
EXAMATLAS LEVEL
Q. Under which article is the CAG appointed, and to which parliamentary committee do CAG reports go for examination?
Article 148; the Public Accounts Committee.
Answer: Article 148; Public Accounts Committee
Pattern 2: Articles of constitutional bodies
[Pattern: syllabus-based, PYQ-style]
EXAM LEVEL
Q. Which article provides for the Election Commission?
Article 324.
Answer: Article 324
EXAMATLAS LEVEL
Q. Which article provides for the Finance Commission, how often is it set up, and who chairs the 16th Finance Commission?
Article 280; every 5 years; Arvind Panagariya.
Answer: Article 280; every 5 years; Arvind Panagariya
Pattern 3: Constitutional or not
[Pattern: syllabus-based, PYQ-style]
EXAM LEVEL
Q. When was NITI Aayog set up, and what did it replace?
On 1 January 2015, replacing the Planning Commission.
Answer: 1 January 2015; Planning Commission
EXAMATLAS LEVEL
Q. Which of these are not constitutional bodies: Election Commission, NITI Aayog, CAG, NHRC, Finance Commission?
NITI Aayog (executive resolution) and the NHRC (statutory, 1993). The others are created by the Constitution.
Answer: NITI Aayog and NHRC
Pattern 4: Anti-corruption and rights bodies
[Pattern: syllabus-based, PYQ-style]
EXAM LEVEL
Q. Under which Act was the Lokpal set up?
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013.
Answer: Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013
EXAMATLAS LEVEL
Q. Who was India's first Lokpal, and on whose recommendation was the Central Vigilance Commission set up in 1964?
Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose (2019); the Santhanam Committee.
Answer: Pinaki Chandra Ghose; Santhanam Committee
60-Second Revision
- EC Art 324; CAG Art 148 (6 years/65); UPSC 315; Finance Commission 280.
- NITI Aayog: 1 Jan 2015, executive, replaced the Planning Commission.
- NHRC 1993 Act; NCW 1992; CVC 1964 (Santhanam); CBI 1963.
- Lokpal Act 2013; first Lokpal P.C. Ghose.