Constitutional Bodies

290

Q5. Which institution was established in pursuance of an express constitutional Article?

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2006]

1. University Grants Commission
2. National Human Rights Commission
3. Election Commission
4. Central Vigilance Commission

Answer: (C) Election Commission

Explanation: The Election Commission derives directly from Article 324. The other organizations named were established under ordinary legislation or executive measures rather than a specific founding constitutional provision.

Q4. Which are Election Commission functions:
1 conducting free elections,
2 preparing electoral rolls,
3 recognising parties/allotting symbols,
4 finally deciding election litigation?

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2004]

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 2, 3 and 4
3. 1 and 3
4. 1, 2 and 4

Answer: (A) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: The Election Commission supervises elections and electoral rolls and handles party recognition and symbols. Courts determine the final outcome of election petitions, so adjudicating all election disputes is not its function.

Q3. Which are Finance Commission functions:
1. allowing Consolidated Fund withdrawals;
2. dividing tax shares among States;
3. considering State grants-in-aid;
4. overseeing whether taxes comply with budgets

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2003]

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3
3. 3 and 4
4. 1, 2 and 4

Answer: (B) 2 and 3

Explanation: The Finance Commission advises on sharing Union tax proceeds and principles for State grants-in-aid. It cannot authorize withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund and is not a tax-administration audit agency.

Q2. Which statements were correct in 2002:
I. CEC and ECs have equal powers but different pay;
II. CEC paid like a Supreme Court judge;
III. CEC removed like a Supreme Court judge;
IV. EC tenure five years or age 62

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2002]

1. I and II
2. II and III
3. I and IV
4. II and IV

Answer: (B) II and III

Explanation: At the time, the salary equivalence and Supreme Court judge-equivalent removal safeguard applied to the Chief Election Commissioner. Commissioners shared powers and salary arrangements, and the proposed five-year/age-62 tenure was wrong.

Q1. Which body recommends principles governing grants-in-aid to States from the Consolidated Fund of India?

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary 2002]

1. Finance Commission
2. Inter-State Council
3. Union Finance Ministry
4. Public Accounts Committee

Answer: (A) Finance Commission

Explanation: Article 280 requires the Finance Commission to recommend the principles governing such grants to States. Its advice supports fiscal balancing and is distinct from the Public Accounts Committee’s legislative examination of expenditure.