Question

Difficulty: MediumConstitutional Bodies: Election Commission, UPSC, SPSC, CAG, and Finance Commission

With reference to the Finance Commission of India constituted under Article 280 of the Constitution of India, which of the following statements is correct?

  1. A
    The Chairman and members of the Finance Commission can only be removed from office by the President in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
  2. The Constitution authorizes Parliament to determine by law the qualifications required for appointment as members of the Commission and the manner of their selection.Answer
  3. C
    The Finance Commission submits its recommendations directly to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, who causes them to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.
  4. D
    The Chairman of the Finance Commission is constitutionally barred from re-appointment or any further employment under the Union or State governments after completing their term.

Answer

The Constitution authorizes Parliament to determine by law the qualifications required for appointment as members of the Commission and the manner of their selection.
The statement regarding Parliament's authority to determine qualifications is correct because Article 280(2) explicitly grants Parliament the power to prescribe qualifications and selection criteria by law.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Constitutional Provision under Article 280(2)
Article 280(2) states that Parliament may by law determine the qualifications which shall be requisite for appointment as members of the Commission and the manner in which they shall be selected.
The Constitution leaves the specific operational qualifications and selection procedure of Finance Commission members to parliamentary legislation (enacted via the Finance Commission Act, 1951).
2
Evaluate Reporting and Safeguard Provisions
Under Article 281, recommendations are submitted to the President (not the Speaker). Removal procedures and post-retirement eligibility differ from bodies like UPSC or CAG.
CAG and UPSC have strict constitutional post-retirement employment bars, whereas Finance Commission members are eligible for re-appointment under statutory provisions.

Key Concept

Powers of Parliament regarding Finance Commission Qualifications and Structure (Article 280)
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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