Important Political Science Notes for UPSC, PSC, SSC Exams(Part-V)

Chapter 42: Election Commission

Summary:
The Election Commission ensures free and fair elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President.

Important Points:

  • Articles 324 to 329 → Deal with elections.
  • Composition:
    • One Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) + other Election Commissioners (fixed by President).
    • Initially single-member body; became multi-member in 1993.
  • Tenure:
    • 6 years or 65 years of age (whichever is earlier).
  • Powers and Functions:
    • Conduct elections of Parliament, State Legislatures, President and Vice-President.
    • Superintendence, direction, and control over the entire process.
    • Decides election disputes (recognized parties, symbols).
  • Independence Ensured by:
    • Fixed tenure.
    • Removal similar to that of SC judges (for CEC).
  • Model Code of Conduct:
    • Issued by ECI to regulate political parties and candidates during elections.

Key Highlight:
Election Commission = Guardian of Democracy.
Conducts the “Greatest democratic exercise” in the world.

Chapter 43: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Summary:
The UPSC conducts examinations and selections for appointments to the All-India Services and Central Services.

Important Points:

  • Article 315 to 323 → Deal with UPSC.
  • Composition:
    • Chairman + other members (decided by President).
  • Functions:
    • Conducts exams like Civil Services, Engineering Services, Combined Defence Services, etc.
    • Advises on promotions, transfers, disciplinary matters.
  • Independence:
    • Fixed service conditions.
    • Removal only by President on grounds of misbehavior after inquiry by SC.
  • Tenure:
    • 6 years or 65 years of age.
  • Annual Report:
    • Submitted to President, laid before Parliament.

Key Highlight:
UPSC is called the “Watchdog of meritocracy” in India.

Chapter 44: State Public Service Commission (SPSC)

Summary:
Each state has its own SPSC for recruitment to state services.

Important Points:

  • Similar structure and functions as UPSC, but for states.
  • Chairman and members appointed by Governor.
  • Removal by President (not Governor).
  • Sends annual report to the State Governor.

Key Highlight:
State PSCs ensure competitive merit-based recruitment at state level.

Chapter 45: Finance Commission

Summary:
The Finance Commission decides the distribution of financial resources between Centre and States.

Important Points:

  • Article 280 → Deals with Finance Commission.
  • Constitution:
    • Appointed every 5 years by the President.
  • Composition:
    • Chairman + 4 members.
  • Functions:
    • Recommend distribution of taxes between Centre and States.
    • Suggest grants-in-aid to states.
    • Any other financial matter referred by President.
  • Latest:
    • 15th Finance Commission headed by N.K. Singh.

Key Highlight:
Finance Commission ensures fiscal federalism — sharing financial powers fairly.

Chapter 46: Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council

Summary:
GST Council is a constitutional body that recommends rates and policies related to GST.

Important Points:

  • Constitutional Basis:
    • Article 279A (added by 101st Amendment Act, 2016).
  • Composition:
    • Chairperson: Union Finance Minister.
    • Members: State Finance Ministers and Union Ministers.
  • Function:
    • Recommend GST rates, exemptions, thresholds, model GST laws.
    • Promote consensus between Centre and States.
  • Voting System:
    • Centre → 1/3rd weightage.
    • States → 2/3rd weightage.

Key Highlight:
GST Council embodies cooperative federalism in India’s tax system.

Chapter 47: Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)

Summary:
The CAG audits the accounts of Central and State governments to ensure public money is used properly.

Important Points:

  • Article 148 to 151 → Deal with CAG.
  • Appointment:
    • By the President.
  • Functions:
    • Audits all receipts and expenditure of Centre and States.
    • Audits government-owned companies and corporations.
    • Reports to President and Governors (who place them before Parliament/Assembly).
  • Tenure:
    • 6 years or until 65 years of age.
  • Significance:
    • Known as “Guardian of the Public Purse.”
    • Ensures transparency and accountability.

Key Highlight:
CAG is critical for parliamentary control over finances.

Chapter 48: Attorney General of India

Summary:
The Attorney General (AG) is the chief legal advisor to the Government of India.

Important Points:

  • Article 76 → Deals with AG.
  • Appointment:
    • Appointed by President.
    • Must be qualified to be appointed as SC Judge.
  • Functions:
    • Advises the government on legal matters.
    • Appears in SC and HC on behalf of the Centre.
    • Can attend Parliament but without voting rights.
  • Tenure:
    • No fixed term; holds office during the pleasure of President.

Key Highlight:
Attorney General represents the Union Government in all Supreme Court cases.

Quick Recap:

Chapter No.Topic Covered
42Election Commission
43UPSC
44State PSC
45Finance Commission
46GST Council
47CAG
48Attorney General

Chapter 49: NITI Aayog

Summary:
NITI Aayog is the policy think tank of the Government of India, replacing the old Planning Commission.

Important Points:

  • Established:
    • 1 January 2015 (by Cabinet Resolution).
  • Full Form:
    • National Institution for Transforming India.
  • Chairperson:
    • Prime Minister.
  • Structure:
    • Vice-Chairperson (appointed by PM).
    • Governing Council (CMs + Lt. Governors).
    • Regional Councils for focused attention.
    • Full-time Members and part-time Members.
  • Key Functions:
    • Design policy frameworks and strategies.
    • Foster cooperative federalism (Centre-State coordination).
    • Monitor and evaluate government schemes.
    • Platform for innovation and technology missions.
  • Difference from Planning Commission:
    • Bottom-up planning (states have more say).
    • No power to allocate funds.

Key Highlight:
NITI Aayog = Think Tank + Policy Laboratory — not a fund-granting body!

Chapter 50: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

Summary:
NHRC protects and promotes human rights in India.

Important Points:

  • Established:
    • 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
  • Composition:
    • Chairperson (retired Chief Justice of India).
    • 4 Members (including judges, human rights experts).
    • Appointed by the President.
  • Functions:
    • Inquire into complaints of human rights violation.
    • Visit jails, recommend reforms.
    • Review constitutional and legal safeguards.
  • Powers:
    • Recommend compensation to victims.
    • Cannot enforce decisions — only advisory.
  • Limitations:
    • Cannot intervene in cases older than 1 year.
    • Cannot punish violators.

Key Highlight:
NHRC is India’s “watchdog of human rights” — but powers are recommendatory.

Chapter 51: Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

Summary:
CVC monitors corruption cases in government departments and public sector enterprises.

Important Points:

  • Established:
    • 1964 (based on Santhanam Committee’s recommendations).
    • Given statutory status in 2003 (CVC Act).
  • Composition:
    • Central Vigilance Commissioner (Head).
    • 2 Vigilance Commissioners.
  • Functions:
    • Inquire into offenses under Prevention of Corruption Act.
    • Supervise CBI investigations in corruption cases.
    • Advise central government agencies on vigilance matters.
  • Independence:
    • Appointed by President on recommendation of a committee (PM, HM, LoP).
  • Tenure:
    • 4 years or till 65 years of age.

Key Highlight:
CVC = “Integrity Watchdog” of the government!

Chapter 52: Central Information Commission (CIC)

Summary:
CIC ensures implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act).

Important Points:

  • Established:
    • 2005 under the RTI Act.
  • Composition:
    • Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) + up to 10 Information Commissioners.
  • Functions:
    • Handle second appeals regarding RTI.
    • Ensure public authorities comply with RTI Act.
    • Impose penalties for non-compliance.
  • Powers:
    • Can order disclosure of information.
    • Summon and examine officials.
  • Recent Change:
    • 2019 Amendment Act:
      • CIC’s tenure decided by Central Government (earlier fixed at 5 years).

Key Highlight:
CIC ensures “Transparency and Accountability” through Right to Information!

Chapter 53: Lokpal and Lokayuktas

Summary:
Lokpal (at Centre) and Lokayuktas (at States) investigate complaints of corruption against public servants.

Important Points:

  • Lokpal Act, 2013:
    • Passed after decades of demand (notably Anna Hazare movement).
  • Composition of Lokpal:
    • Chairperson (former CJI or SC Judge or eminent person).
    • Maximum 8 members (50% must be judicial).
  • Jurisdiction:
    • Prime Minister (with conditions).
    • Ministers, MPs, senior government officials.
  • Appointment:
    • By a committee (PM, CJI nominee, Lok Sabha Speaker, LoP, eminent jurist).
  • State Lokayuktas:
    • Set up under state laws.

Key Highlight:
Lokpal = “Ombudsman against corruption” — independent of government control.

Quick Recap:

Chapter No.Topic Covered
49NITI Aayog
50NHRC
51CVC
52CIC
53Lokpal and Lokayuktas
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