Question

Which among the following are not constitutional bodies?

1. EC
2. CVC
3. NHRC
4. UPSC

Correct code:

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 3 and 4 only
• D. All of the above

Hint:

Check which of these bodies are created by specific Articles of the Constitution versus by ordinary Acts of Parliament.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

This question tests knowledge of which bodies are set up directly by the Constitution of India and which are instead created by ordinary Acts of Parliament, known as statutory bodies.

1. EC (Election Commission): The Election Commission is established under Article 324 of the Constitution and is therefore a constitutional body.
2. CVC (Central Vigilance Commission): The CVC was set up in 1964 by a government resolution and later given statutory backing through the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003. It is not mentioned anywhere in the Constitution, so it is a statutory body, not a constitutional one.
3. NHRC (National Human Rights Commission): The NHRC was created under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, an ordinary law passed by Parliament. Like the CVC, it is a statutory body, not a constitutional body.
4. UPSC (Union Public Service Commission): The UPSC is established under Articles 315 to 323 of the Constitution, making it a constitutional body.

Since only CVC and NHRC lack a constitutional basis and rest instead on ordinary legislation, code 2 and 3 only is correct.

Let's summarize:

• EC and UPSC are constitutional bodies, created directly by Articles of the Constitution.
• CVC and NHRC are statutory bodies, created by ordinary Acts of Parliament, not by the Constitution itself.

So the correct code is 2 and 3 only, option (b).