Question

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

Which of the following statements regarding the constitutional provisions and operational safeguards of Constitutional Bodies in India are correct?

  1. The administrative expenses of the Union Public Service Commission, including all salaries, allowances, and pensions of its members and staff, are charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India.Answer
  2. B
    The Comptroller and Auditor General of India can be removed from office by an executive order of the President following a resolution passed by a simple majority in both Houses of Parliament.
  3. The Finance Commission is a quasi-judicial constitutional body constituted by the President of India at the expiration of every fifth year or earlier.Answer
  4. D
    The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners hold office for a tenure of six years or until attaining the age of sixty-two years, whichever is earlier.

Answer

The statements confirming that the administrative expenses of the Union Public Service Commission are charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India and that the Finance Commission is constituted every fifth year by the President under Article 280 are correct.
The statement regarding the Union Public Service Commission is accurate because Article 322 charges its administrative expenses directly to the Consolidated Fund of India, rendering them non-votable. The statement regarding the Finance Commission is also accurate because Article 280 mandates its constitution by the President every five years or earlier to govern financial devolution.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the financial independence provisions of the Union Public Service Commission.
Article 322 specifies that expenses of the Union Public Service Commission are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.
Charging expenses on the Consolidated Fund ensures immunity from annual parliamentary vote and secures functional autonomy.
2
Evaluate the removal mechanism for the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Removal requires a special majority in both Houses of Parliament, identical to a Supreme Court judge.
A simple majority resolution is insufficient to remove the Comptroller and Auditor General.
3
Verify the constitutional mandate and periodic constitution of the Finance Commission.
Article 280 empowers the President to establish the Finance Commission every five years or earlier.
This requirement maintains a regular mechanism for fiscal federalism and tax devolution.
4
Examine the age limit prescribed for Election Commissioners.
The age limit for Election Commissioners is sixty-five years, not sixty-two years.
The sixty-two-year threshold applies to State Public Service Commission members.

Key Concept

Constitutional Safeguards and Mandates of Independent Bodies in India
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