Attorney General of India (Article 76)
- Highest law officer of India
- Appointed by President
- Holds office during President’s pleasure
- Qualification → eligible to be Supreme Court Judge
Duties
- Advise Government on legal matters
- Represent GoI in Supreme Court
- Appear in High Court when required
Rights
- Right of audience in all courts
- Can participate in Parliament
- No voting right
- Enjoys privileges of MP
- 1st AG → M.C. Setalvad
- Current AG → R. Venkataramani
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
Article 148 – CAG
- Guardian of public purse
- Head of Audit & Accounts Department
- Appointed by President
- Term → 6 years / 65 years
- Removal → same as SC Judge
- Not eligible for reappointment
Article 149 – Functions
- Audits:
- Consolidated Fund of India
- Contingency Fund of India
- Certifies net proceeds of taxes
- Maintains State accounts
Article 150
- Accounts format prescribed by President (on CAG advice)
Article 151
- Reports submitted to President
Election Commission (Article 324)
- Permanent & independent body
- Conducts elections for:
- Parliament
- State Legislatures
- President & Vice President
Composition
- Chief Election Commissioner + other Commissioners
- Appointed by President
Term
- 6 years / 65 years
Powers
- Administrative
- Advisory
- Quasi-judicial
Removal
- Same as SC Judge
- CEC has security of tenure
Finance Commission (Article 280)
- Quasi-judicial body
- Constituted by President
- Composition → Chairman + 4 members
Qualifications
- Experience in:
- Public affairs
- Judiciary (HC Judge level)
- Finance & Accounts
- Economics
Functions
- Recommend (not binding):
- Tax distribution (Centre ↔ States)
- Grants to States
- Funds distribution to Panchayats & Municipalities
- 1st FC → K.C. Neogy
- 15th FC → N.K. Singh
Public Service Commissions (UPSC / SPSC / JPSC)
Article 315
- Establishes:
- UPSC
- SPSC
- JPSC
Article 316 – Appointment & Term
- UPSC & JPSC → appointed by President
- SPSC → appointed by Governor
- Term:
- UPSC → 6 years / 65 years
- SPSC/JPSC → 6 years / 62 years
- Resignation:
- UPSC/JPSC → President
- SPSC → Governor
Article 317 – Removal
- By President on:
- Insolvency
- Paid employment
- Unsound mind
- Misbehaviour
Article 318 – Service Conditions
- UPSC/JPSC → President decides
- SPSC → Governor decides
Article 319
- Restriction on future employment
Article 320 – Functions
- Conduct exams:
- CSE, CDS, NDA, CAPF etc.
Article 321
- Functions can be extended by:
- Parliament (UPSC)
- State Legislature (SPSC)
Article 322
- Expenses:
- UPSC → Consolidated Fund of India
- SPSC → Consolidated Fund of State
Article 323
- Reports submitted to:
- UPSC → President
- SPSC/JPSC → Governor
National Commissions
Article 338 – NCSC
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Article 338A – NCST
- National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
Article 338B – NCBC
- National Commission for Backward Classes
Composition
- Chairman + Vice Chairman + 3 Members
- Appointed by President
Memory Tricks 🧠
- AG → Legal Head
- CAG → Money Watcher
- EC → Election Manager
- FC → Fund Divider
- PSC → Exam Body
- NCSC/NCST/NCBC → Social Justice Bodies