Question

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

Match the Constitutional Authorities/Officers in List-I with their corresponding Constitutional Safeguards/Conditions of Service in List-II:

  • Chief Election CommissionerRemoved from office by the President in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court
  • Comptroller and Auditor General of IndiaIneligible for any further office either under the Government of India or under the Government of any State after ceasing to hold office
  • Chairman of a State Public Service CommissionAppointed by the Governor of the State, but removable from office only by the President of India
  • Member of the Union Public Service CommissionEligible for appointment as the Chairman of UPSC or a State PSC, but not for any other government employment upon ceasing to hold office

Answer

The Chief Election Commissioner pairs with removal in like manner as a Supreme Court Judge; the Comptroller and Auditor General of India pairs with total ineligibility for further government employment; the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission pairs with appointment by the Governor but removal exclusively by the President; and a Member of the Union Public Service Commission pairs with eligibility to become Chairman of UPSC or SPSC while being barred from other government jobs.
The correct pairings accurately reflect constitutional provisions: Article 324(5) protects the Chief Election Commissioner with Supreme Court Judge removal parity; Article 148(4) completely debars the CAG from subsequent public employment; Article 316/317 creates a federal safeguard where the Governor appoints but only the President can remove an SPSC Chairman; and Article 319(c) restricts UPSC members to chairmanships of UPSC/SPSC only.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the removal security of the Chief Election Commissioner.
Article 324(5) explicitly equates the removal process and grounds of the CEC to those of a Supreme Court Judge.
Ensures independence of conduct of elections from political executive control.
2
Determine post-retirement restrictions for the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Article 148(4) imposes a complete ban on future government employment under Union or State governments.
Prevents executive inducement or conflict of interest during audit oversight.
3
Analyze appointment vs removal authority for the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission.
The Governor appoints the SPSC Chairman, but removal authority rests solely with the President under Article 317(1).
Guarantees functional independence from state executive interference.
4
Evaluate career progression rules for a UPSC member under Article 319.
A member can only be elevated to Chairman of UPSC or Chairman of an SPSC; all other public employment is prohibited.
Maintains strict neutrality while preserving internal promotion avenues within public service commissions.

Key Concept

Constitutional safeguards, appointing authorities, removal procedures, and post-retirement eligibility rules for constitutional officers.
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