What is UPSC and how is it different from TNPSC?

UPSC (Union Public Service Commission, Article 315) conducts recruitment for Central Government services — including the IAS, IPS, and IFS through the Civil Services Examination. TNPSC (Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission) conducts recruitment for Tamil Nadu State Government services. UPSC also advises the President on service matters.

What is the Finance Commission and when is it constituted?

The Finance Commission (Article 280) is a constitutional body constituted by the President every 5 years. It recommends the distribution of taxes between the Centre and States, and grants-in-aid to states. The 16th Finance Commission was constituted in 2023.

Who is the Attorney General of India?

The Attorney General (Article 76) is the chief legal adviser of the Government of India. Appointed by the President, the AG must be qualified to be a Supreme Court judge. The AG has the right of audience in all courts in India and represents the Union in legal proceedings.

What is the National Human Rights Commission?

The NHRC was established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 (not a constitutional body — a statutory body). It investigates complaints of human rights violations by state or central government actions. Chaired by a retired Chief Justice of India.

Constitutional Bodies — TNPSC Group 4 Polity Notes

Overview

The Constitution creates several independent bodies to ensure accountability, fair governance, and separation of powers. These Constitutional Bodies are directly established by the Constitution and cannot be abolished or modified without a constitutional amendment. TNPSC Group 4 tests appointments, powers, and removal procedures of these bodies.

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)

Feature	Detail
Article	Article 148
Appointed by	President
Removal	By Parliamentary impeachment (like a SC judge)
Term	6 years or until age 65, whichever earlier
Independence	Salary charged to Consolidated Fund of India
First CAG	V. Narahari Rao

Functions of CAG

Audits all receipts and expenditure of Union and State Governments
Audits accounts of all bodies and authorities that receive government grants
Reports submitted to Parliament (Union Audit Reports) and State Legislatures (State Audit Reports)
Audit reports examined by Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called the CAG "the most important officer in the Constitution of India."

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

Feature	Detail
Article	Article 315–323
Composition	Chairman + members (determined by President)
Appointment	By President
Removal	By President on grounds stated in Article 317 (proven misbehaviour after SC inquiry)
Term	6 years or until age 65, whichever earlier

Functions of UPSC

Conducts Civil Services Examination (IAS, IPS, IFS, and Group A/B Central Services)
Advises Central Government on appointments, promotions, and transfers
Conducts Combined Defence Services Exam, NDA Exam, etc.
Advises on disciplinary matters relating to civil servants

State Public Service Commission (SPSC/TNPSC)

Each State must have a PSC under Article 315
TNPSC = Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission
Members appointed by Governor
Removed by President (not Governor) — to ensure independence
Conducts Group 1, 2, 3, 4 exams, VAO, Departmental tests

Election Commission of India

(Covered in detail in the Elections topic)

Article	324
Appointed by	President
Removal (CEC)	Parliamentary impeachment

Finance Commission

Feature	Detail
Article	Article 280
Constituted	By President, every 5 years
Composition	Chairman + 4 members
Key Role	Distribution of Central taxes between Centre and States; grants-in-aid

15th Finance Commission (2020–2025): Chaired by N.K. Singh. Recommended 41% devolution to States from Central taxes. 16th Finance Commission (2026–2031): Currently being constituted.

Attorney General of India

Feature	Detail
Article	Article 76
Appointed by	President
Qualifications	Must be qualified as a SC judge
Role	Chief legal adviser of Government of India
Audience rights	All courts in India
Status	Not a government employee; paid fees (not salary)
Holds office	At pleasure of President

Advocate General of State

State equivalent of Attorney General
Appointed by Governor (Article 165)
Chief legal adviser of State government
Right of audience in all courts of the State

National Commission for Scheduled Castes (Article 338)

Article 338: A National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Investigates and monitors all matters relating to safeguards for SC
Reports to President annually
102nd Amendment (2018) gave constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes (Article 338B)

Important Statutory Bodies (not Constitutional — but tested)

These are created by Acts of Parliament, not by the Constitution directly:

Body	Established	Role
NHRC	Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993	Human Rights violations
CBI	Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946	Central investigation agency
CVC	Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003	Anti-corruption; supervises CBI
Lokpal	Lokpal & Lokayuktas Act, 2013	Anti-corruption ombudsman (Central)
NITI Aayog	Executive resolution, 2015	Replaced Planning Commission; policy advisory
RBI	RBI Act, 1934	Central bank; monetary policy
SEBI	SEBI Act, 1992	Regulates capital markets

Important for Exam - CAG = Article 148; appointed by President; removed by Parliament impeachment; salary from Consolidated Fund - UPSC = Article 315; conducts Civil Services; members removed by President - TNPSC members appointed by Governor; removed by President - Finance Commission = Article 280; every 5 years; chaired by President-appointed Chairman - Attorney General = Article 76; appointed by President; chief legal adviser - NHRC = statutory body (not constitutional); chaired by retired CJI - NITI Aayog replaced Planning Commission in 2015

Previous Year TNPSC Questions

Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is appointed by:

TNPSC members are appointed by the Governor but can only be removed by:

The Finance Commission of India is constituted every:

The Attorney General of India is the:

NITI Aayog replaced which body in 2015?

The NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) is chaired by:

Frequently Asked Questions

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is the guardian of the public purse. Under Article 148, the CAG audits all receipts and expenditures of the Union and State governments and reports to Parliament/Legislatures. The CAG is appointed by the President and can be removed only by Parliamentary impeachment.