Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

• Established by: Article 315 of the Constitution
• Function: Conducts examinations for recruitment to the Union services and advises the Government on appointments
• Composition:
  • Chairperson: Appointed by the President
  • Members: It contains 9-12 members along with Chairperson., all appointed by the President
• Key Functions:
  • Conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE)
  • Conducts the Indian Forest Service Examination
  • Conducts the Combined Defence Services Examination
• Important Date: Established through Government of India Act 1935 in 1937, and constitutionalized in 1950
• Difference from State PSC: UPSC is for Union services, while State PSCs are for State services

State Public Service Commission (SPSC)

• Established by: Article 315 of the Constitution
• Function: Conducts examinations for recruitment to the State services and advises the Government on appointments
• Composition:
  • Chairperson: Appointed by the Governor
  • Members: 2 members appointed by the Governor
• Key Functions:
  • Conducts examinations for recruitment to State services
  • Advises the State Government on appointments
• Important Date: Established in 1954
• Difference from UPSC: SPSC is for State services, while UPSC is for Union services

Election Commission of India (ECI)

• Established by: Article 324 of the Constitution
• Function: Conducts elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures, and offices of President and Vice-President
• Composition:
  • Chief Election Commissioner (CEC): Appointed by the President
  • Election Commissioners: 2 members appointed by the President
• Key Functions:
  • Conducts free and fair elections
  • Ensures electoral roll updates
  • Enforces model code of conduct
• Important Date: Established in 1950
• Key Term: Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is enforced by ECI
• Example: ECI conducted the 2019 Lok Sabha elections

Finance Commission

• Established by: Article 280 of the Constitution
• Function: Recommends the distribution of financial resources between the Union and States
• Composition:
  • Chairperson: Appointed by the President
  • Members: 2 other members appointed by the President
• Key Functions:
  • Recommends grants-in-aid to States
  • Reviews the financial position of the Union and States
• Important Date: First Finance Commission established in 1951
• Key Term: Grants-in-aid are financial assistance provided to States
• Example: 14th Finance Commission (2010-2020) recommended 14% share of taxes to States

Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)

• Established by: Article 148 of the Constitution
• Function: Audits the accounts of the Union and States and ensures proper expenditure of public funds
• Composition:
  • CAG: Appointed by the President
• Key Functions:
  • Audits the accounts of the Union and States
  • Submits audit reports to the President and Governor
• Important Date: Established in 1950
• Key Term: CAG is the constitutional auditor of India
• Example: CAG audits the expenditure of the Ministry of Defence

National Commissions for SC, ST, Backward Classes

National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)

• Established by: 1989 (by an Act of Parliament)
• Function: To protect the rights and interests of Scheduled Castes
• Composition:
  • Chairperson: Appointed by the President
  • Members: 10 members (including 1 woman and 1 SC person)
• Key Functions:
  • Investigates complaints of discrimination
  • Recommends measures for social and economic upliftment
• Important Date: Established in 1989

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

• Established by: 1990 (by an Act of Parliament)
• Function: To protect the rights and interests of Scheduled Tribes
• Composition:
  • Chairperson: Appointed by the President
  • Members: 10 members (including 1 woman and 1 ST person)
• Key Functions:
  • Investigates complaints of discrimination
  • Recommends measures for social and economic upliftment
• Important Date: Established in 1990

National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)

• Established by: 2002 (by an Act of Parliament)
• Function: To protect the rights and interests of Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
• Composition:
  • Chairperson: Appointed by the President
  • Members: 10 members (including 1 woman and 1 OBC person)
• Key Functions:
  • Investigates complaints of discrimination
  • Recommends measures for social and economic upliftment
• Important Date: Established in 2002

Attorney General of India

• Established by: Article 165 of the Constitution
• Function: The highest law officer of the Government of India, advises the Government on legal matters
• Appointment:
  • Appointed by the President
  • Usually a person who has been a judge of the Supreme Court or High Court
• Key Functions:
  • Represents the Government in Supreme Court and High Courts
  • Advises the Government on legal matters
• Important Date: First AG appointed in 1950
• Key Term: AG is the legal advisor to the Government

Goods and Services Tax Council (GST Council)

• Established by: Article 279A of the Constitution (added by 122nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2015)
• Function: To determine the rates, exemptions, and other aspects of GST
• Composition:
  • Chairperson: Union Finance Minister
  • Members: Union Minister of State for Finance, 3 State Governments, and 2 members nominated by the President
• Key Functions:
  • Determines the rates of GST
  • Decides on exemptions and thresholds
  • Makes recommendations on the structure of GST
• Important Date: Established in 2017
• Key Term: GST Council is a constitutional body for intergovernmental coordination on GST
• Example: GST Council decided on the 5% and 12% tax rates for various goods and services