Key Concepts & Self-Assessment22 Key Facts
Review key 5 Constitutional Bodies Every Student Should Know exam facts and rate your mastery to track revision.
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#1
A Constitutional Body is an entity established directly by an explicit article in the text of the Constitution of India.
#2
Constitutional bodies derive their powers directly from the Constitution and can only be altered or abolished via a Constitutional Amendment under Article 368.
#3
Constitutional bodies differ fundamentally from Statutory Bodies (created by ordinary parliamentary acts, such as NHRC or SEBI) and Extra-Constitutional Bodies (created by executive resolution, such as NITI Aayog).
#4
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is established under Article 324 to conduct elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice President.
#5
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) enjoys security of tenure and cannot be removed except in the manner and on the grounds of a Supreme Court Judge.
#6
The ECI does not conduct elections to Panchayats and Municipalities; these are administered separately by State Election Commissions under Articles 243K and 243ZA.
#7
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is constituted under Article 315 as the premier central recruiting agency for All India Services and Central Services.
#8
UPSC members are appointed by the President for a term of six years or until attaining the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier (Article 316).
#9
A UPSC member can be removed by the President only on grounds of misbehavior after an inquiry conducted by the Supreme Court of India under Article 317.
#10
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is established under Article 148 as the independent auditor of the Union and State accounts.
#11
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar declared the CAG to be "the most important officer under the Constitution of India" for upholding financial accountability.
#12
The CAG is removed in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court and is ineligible for further government office after retirement (Article 148(4)).
#13
The CAG prepares three audit reports annually (on Appropriation Accounts, Finance Accounts, and Public Undertakings) submitted to the President under Article 151.
#14
CAG audit reports are scrutinized by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, where the CAG acts as a "friend, philosopher, and guide."
#15
The Finance Commission of India is a quasi-judicial constitutional body constituted by the President every five years under Article 280.
#16
The primary duty of the Finance Commission is recommending the vertical sharing of net tax proceeds between Union and States and horizontal sharing among States.
#17
The Finance Commission also recommends principles governing statutory grants-in-aid of revenues to States under Article 275.
#18
The Attorney General for India is established under Article 76 as the highest law officer in the country, appointed by the President.
#19
To be appointed Attorney General, a person must be qualified to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
#20
The Attorney General holds office during the pleasure of the President and receives remuneration determined by the President rather than a fixed statutory salary.
#21
Under Article 88, the Attorney General has the constitutional right to speak and take part in proceedings of both Houses of Parliament, but possesses NO right to vote.
#22
The Attorney General possesses the right of audience in all courts of law across the territory of India while representing the Government of India.
Subject Specialist Commentary
Analytical perspective & practical exam advice from the Master10 academic board
Constitutional bodies in India derive their mandate directly from the Constitution, requiring a formal amendment under Article 368 for any structural change. Unlike statutory bodies created by ordinary laws, they maintain institutional autonomy. Five essential bodies include the Election Commission under Article 324, Union Public Service Commission under Article 315, Comptroller and Auditor General under Article 148, Finance Commission under Article 280, and Attorney General for India under Article 76.
Polity papers in UPSC, SSC, and State PSC exams frequently test the tenure and powers of these bodies. A classic prelims trap targets the Attorney General: remember that under Article 88, this officer can address Parliament but possesses no right to vote. For the Election Commission, remember that local panchayat and municipal elections are run by State Election Commissions, not the ECI. Memorizing their exact constitutional articles provides an easy scoring edge during exam revision.
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