Constitutional & Non-Constitutional Bodies of India
Delhi Police Exams – GK Section
Introduction
For accountability, fairness, and transparency in governance, the Constitution of India created several independent bodies. They perform constitutional, advisory, financial, and regulatory functions to uphold democracy and rule of law.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Bodies | Election Commission, UPSC, CAG, Finance Commission |
| Non-Constitutional | NITI Aayog, NHRC, NCSC, NCST |
Election Commission of India (ECI)
| Article | 324 |
| Established | 25 January 1950 |
| Type | Constitutional Body |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
Composition
- Chief Election Commissioner + Two Election Commissioners
- Appointed by President
- Equal powers; majority decision
Functions & Powers
- Conducts free, fair elections for Parliament, States, President & VP
- Prepares electoral rolls; supervises polling
- Allots symbols, registers parties, issues Model Code of Conduct
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
| Articles | 315–323 |
| Type | Constitutional Body |
| Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Chairman | Appointed by President |
Functions
- Conducts exams for All India & Central Services
- Advises President on recruitment, promotion, discipline
- Submits annual report to President
- Articles 315–323 apply
- Appointed by Governor, removed by President
Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
| Article | 148–151 |
| Appointed By | President |
| Tenure | 6 years or up to 65 years age |
- Audits receipts & expenditure of Union/States/PSUs
- Ensures no misuse/public money protection
- Submits reports to President/Governor, laid before legislature
Finance Commission of India
| Article | 280 |
| Constituted By | President every 5 years |
| Composition | 1 Chairman + 4 Members |
- Recommends Centre-State tax sharing
- Grants-in-aid, reviews State finances
- Measures to improve fiscal discipline
NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India)
| Established | 1 January 2015 |
| Type | Executive/Non-Constitutional |
| Chairperson | Prime Minister |
| Vice-Chairperson | Appointed by PM |
- Policy think tank of Government
- Promotes cooperative federalism, innovation (AIM)
- Prepares strategies, SDGs focus
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
| Established | 12 Oct 1993 |
| Act | Protection of HR Act 1993 |
| Type | Statutory/Non-Constitutional |
| Chairperson | Retired Chief Justice |
- Investigates HR violations
- Inspects jails/detention
- Reviews laws, promotes awareness
National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)
| Article | 338 |
| Type | Constitutional Body |
| Chairperson | Appointed by President |
| HQ | New Delhi |
- Safeguards SC interests
- Investigates discrimination complaints
- Monitors reservation schemes
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
| Article | 338A |
| Created By | 89th Amendment, 2003 |
| Separated From | NCSC (earlier together) |
- Protects ST rights (land, forest, culture)
- Ensures legal protection; welfare advice
Summary Table – Constitutional & Non-Constitutional Bodies
| Body | Article / Year | Type | Main Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Election Commission | Art. 324 | Constitutional | Conducts Elections |
| UPSC | Art. 315–323 | Constitutional | Recruitment & Advice |
| CAG | Art. 148–151 | Constitutional | Audits Govt. Accounts |
| Finance Commission | Art. 280 | Constitutional | Revenue Distribution |
| NITI Aayog | 2015 | Non-Constitutional | Policy Planning & Fed. Coop. |
| NHRC | 1993 Act | Statutory | Human Rights Protection |
| NCSC | Art. 338 | Constitutional | Safeguard SC Interests |
| NCST | Art. 338A | Constitutional | Protect ST Rights |
PYQs (Delhi Police, SSC & State Exams)
Q1. Which Article deals with the Election Commission?
A) 280 B) 324 C) 315 D) 148
Answer
B) 324
Q2. The UPSC is established under which Article?
A) 280 B) 315 C) 324 D) 148
Answer
B) 315
Q3. Who audits the accounts of the Government of India?
A) Finance Minister B) CAG C) NITI Aayog D) RBI
Answer
B) CAG
Q4. The Finance Commission is constituted every —
A) 3 years B) 5 years C) 7 years D) 10 years
Answer
B) 5 years
Q5. NITI Aayog replaced which institution?
A) Planning Commission B) Finance Commission C) RBI D) EC
Answer
A) Planning Commission
Q6. NHRC was established under which Act?
A) Human Rights Act, 1985 B) Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 C) Social Justice Act, 1992 D) None
Answer
B) Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993
Q7. The NCSC is constituted under which Article?
A) 338 B) 338A C) 340 D) 342
Answer
A) 338
Q8. The NCST was created by which Amendment?
A) 42nd B) 73rd C) 89th D) 101st
Answer
C) 89th
Q9. Who is called the “Guardian of the Public Purse”?
A) Finance Minister B) Comptroller and Auditor General C) RBI Governor D) NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman
Answer
B) Comptroller and Auditor General
Q10. The NITI Aayog aims to promote —
A) Competitive Federalism B) Cooperative Federalism C) Judicial Federalism D) Fiscal Federalism
Answer
B) Cooperative Federalism
Final Concept Recap
- Election Commission (Art. 324): Free & Fair Elections
- UPSC (Art. 315–323): Recruitment for Civil Services
- CAG (Art. 148–151): Audits Government Accounts
- Finance Commission (Art. 280): Tax Distribution
- NITI Aayog (2015): Think Tank for Policy Planning
- NHRC (1993): Protects Human Rights
- NCSC (Art. 338): Safeguards SCs
- NCST (Art. 338A): Safeguards STs
Master Constitutional Bodies for Delhi Police Exam!
Join Courage Library for study materials and expert guidance.
Be a Couragian!