ConstitutionConstitutional bodies
The independent bodies created by the Constitution itself: the CAG, UPSC, Finance Commission, Election Commission and the national commissions.
A constitutional body is one that is created by the Constitution itself. Its powers come directly from an article of the Constitution, and it cannot be abolished or changed except by a constitutional amendment. This gives such bodies independence from the government of the day. A body set up by an ordinary law of Parliament is a statutory body; one set up by a government order is an executive body.
The main constitutional bodies
| Body | Article | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Election Commission of India | 324 | Conducts elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President |
| Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) | 148 | Audits the accounts of the Union and the states |
| Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) | 315 | Recruits officers for the All India and central services |
| State Public Service Commissions | 315 | Recruit officers for the state services |
| Finance Commission | 280 | Recommends the sharing of taxes between the Union and the states |
| Goods and Services Tax Council | 279A | Recommends GST rates and rules |
| National Commission for Scheduled Castes | 338 | Monitors the safeguards for Scheduled Castes and inquires into complaints |
| National Commission for Scheduled Tribes | 338A | Does the same for Scheduled Tribes |
| National Commission for Backward Classes | 338B | Does the same for socially and educationally backward classes |
| Attorney General for India | 76 | Chief legal adviser to the Government of India |
| Advocate General of a state | 165 | Chief legal adviser to the state government |
| Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities | 350B | Reports on the safeguards for linguistic minorities |
| State Election Commission | 243K | Conducts elections to panchayats and municipalities |
| State Finance Commission | 243I | Recommends the sharing of money between a state and its local bodies |
The Comptroller and Auditor General
The CAG (Article 148) is the guardian of the public purse. Appointed by the President, the CAG holds office for six years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier, and can be removed only in the manner of a Supreme Court judge. The CAG audits all receipts and expenditure of the Union and state governments and of bodies financed by them, and submits reports to the President and the Governors, who place them before the legislatures. There the reports are examined by the Public Accounts Committee.
The Union Public Service Commission
The UPSC (Articles 315 to 323) conducts examinations for appointment to the services of the Union, including the well-known Civil Services Examination. Its chairman and members are appointed by the President and hold office for six years or until the age of 65. Each state has its own Public Service Commission, whose members hold office until the age of 62. The commissions advise the government on recruitment, promotion and disciplinary matters; their independence protects the merit system.
The Finance Commission
The President appoints a Finance Commission (Article 280) every five years, or earlier. It has a chairman and four other members. It recommends how the net proceeds of central taxes should be divided between the Union and the states and among the states, the principles for grants to the states, and measures to support panchayats and municipalities.
Bodies that are not constitutional
Many well-known bodies are not mentioned in the Constitution. The National Human Rights Commission, the Central Information Commission, the Central Vigilance Commission, the National Commission for Women and the Lokpal are statutory bodies, created by Acts of Parliament. NITI Aayog, which replaced the Planning Commission in 2015, was created by a resolution of the Union Cabinet and is an executive body. Examinations often ask students to tell these apart.
Services under the Union and the states
Part XIV also protects civil servants. Under Article 311, a member of a civil service cannot be dismissed or reduced in rank by an authority lower than the one that appointed him or her, and not without an inquiry and a reasonable opportunity to be heard. Part XIVA (Articles 323A and 323B), added in 1976, allows Parliament to set up tribunals, such as the Central Administrative Tribunal, to decide service matters and other disputes quickly.
Key articles on this page
| Article | What it says, in short |
|---|---|
| 148 | Comptroller and Auditor General of India. |
| 311 | Safeguards for civil servants against dismissal, removal or reduction in rank. |
| 315 | Public Service Commissions for the Union and for the states. |
| 320 | Functions of Public Service Commissions. |
| 323A | Administrative tribunals. |
| 338 | National Commission for Scheduled Castes. |
| 338A | National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. |
| 338B | National Commission for Backward Classes. |
Quick questions
Think of the answer first, then tap to check.
What is a constitutional body?
A body created by the Constitution itself, whose powers come from an article of the Constitution.
Which article provides for the Comptroller and Auditor General?
Article 148.
Is NITI Aayog a constitutional body?
No. It was created by a Cabinet resolution and is an executive body.
How often is a Finance Commission appointed?
Every five years, or earlier.
This page explains the Constitution in simple words for students and general readers. It is not the official text and is not legal advice. The official text is published by the Legislative Department, Government of India (legislative.gov.in). Last checked: 11 November 2026.