Indian Polity — Central Vigilance Commission, CIC, Lokpal, Lokayukta & NITI Aayog
1. Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
Establishment
- It was established in 1964 by an executive resolution of the Central government.
- It was conferred statutory status by the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003.
- Its establishment was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964).
Major Objective
- It has been designated as the agency to receive and act on complaints or disclosure on any allegation of corruption or misuse of office from whistle-blowers under the "Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers' Resolution" (PIDPI), 2004, which is popularly known as "Whistle Blowers" Resolution.
Composition
- Central Vigilance Commissioner & Other Vigilance Commissioners (Not more than 2)
Appointment
- By the President.
- Selection Committee (3 Members): PM (As its head), Leader of Opposition (LS) and Union Home Minister.
Tenure and Salary
- Term: 4 Years or the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
- Salary: Allowances of the Central Vigilance Commissioner are similar to those of the Chairman of UPSC and that of the Vigilance Commissioner are similar to those of a member of UPSC.
- Not eligible for further appointment under State or Central Government.
Removal
- Removed by President and procedure is similar to NHRC.
- Can resign by writing to the President.
CVC — KEY FACTS
- Established: 1964 (executive resolution) — Statutory status: 2003 (CVC Act)
- Recommended By: Santhanam Committee (1962-64)
- Composition: Central Vigilance Commissioner + 2 Vigilance Commissioners
- Appointment: President — Selection Committee: PM + LoP (LS) + Home Minister
- Tenure: 4 years / 65 years
- Salary: CVC = UPSC Chairman; VC = UPSC Member
- Whistle Blowers: PIDPI Resolution, 2004
2. Central/State Information Commission (CIC/SIC)
Establishment
- Under an act of Parliament — Right to Information Act, 2005.
Major Objective
- It is the duty of the Commission to receive and inquire into a complaint from any person regarding information requested under RTI, 2005.
- It entertains complaints and appeals pertaining to offices, financial institutions, public sector undertakings, etc., under the Central Government/State Government and the Union Territories.
Composition
- Chief Information Commissioners / State Information Commissioners & Other ICs (Not more than 10).
Qualifications
- Persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in law, science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration and governance.
- Not be a Member of Parliament or Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory.
Appointment
- By the President / Governor.
- CIC Selection Committee (3 Members): PM (As Chairperson), Leader of Opposition (LS) and Union Cabinet Minister nominated by PM.
- SIC Selection Committee (3 Members): CM (As Chairperson), Leader of Opposition (SLA) and State Cabinet Minister nominated by CM.
Tenure
- Term as prescribed by the Central Government or age of 65 years.
- Not eligible for reappointment (Information commissioners are eligible for respective Chief IC but total term not more than 5 years).
Removal
- Removed by President and procedure is similar to NHRC in case of Chief Information Commissioners.
- Removed by Governor and procedure is similar to SHRC in case of State Information Commissioners.
CIC/SIC — KEY FACTS
- Act: Right to Information Act, 2005
- Composition: Chief IC + Other ICs (max 10)
- CIC Appointment: President — Selection Committee: PM + LoP (LS) + Cabinet Minister
- SIC Appointment: Governor — Selection Committee: CM + LoP (SLA) + State Cabinet Minister
- Tenure: 65 years (max 5 years total)
- Not eligible for reappointment
3. Lokpal
Establishment
- Under an act of Parliament — Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 (Lokpal at Centre and Lokayukta at State).
Major Objective
- They perform the function of an "ombudsman" and inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for related matters.
Composition
- Chairperson with a maximum of 8 members (50% judicial members).
- Minimum 50% of members shall be from SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities and Women.
Qualifications
- Judicial Member: Current or former judges of SC or CJ of HC.
- Non-Judicial Member: Eminent person min. 25 years of expertise & special knowledge of Anti-corruption Policy, Public Administration, Vigilance, Finance, Insurance, Banking, Law & Management.
Appointment
- By the President of India.
- Selection Committee (5 Members): PM, Speaker, Leader of the Opposition (LS), the CJI or CJI Nominee from SC and an eminent jurist to be nominated by the President of India on the recommendations of the first four members of the selection committee.
- Search Committee: To assist the Selection Committee (50% of the members shall be from SCs, STs, OBCs, Minorities and women).
Tenure and Salary
- Term: 5 Years or the age of 70 years.
- Salary Allowance: Chairperson equivalent to CJI and Member — Judge of SC.
Resignation
- Can resign by writing to the President.
Others
- Lokpal's jurisdiction will cover all categories of public servants, including PM except armed forces.
- Lokpal will have the power of superintendence and direction over any investigating agency, including the CBI, for cases referred to them by the Lokpal.
- Institutions which are financed fully or partly by the Government are under the jurisdiction of Lokpal, but institutions aided by the Government are excluded.
- Jurisdiction includes foreign donations in excess of ₹10 Lakhs/year under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.
LOKPAL — KEY FACTS
- Act: Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013
- Composition: Chairperson + max 8 members (50% judicial)
- Selection Committee: PM + Speaker + LoP (LS) + CJI + Eminent Jurist
- Tenure: 5 years / 70 years
- Salary: Chairperson = CJI; Members = SC Judge
- Jurisdiction: All public servants including PM (except armed forces)
- Power over CBI: Superintendence and direction for referred cases
4. Lokayukta
Establishment
- Under an act of Parliament — Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013 (Lokpal at Centre and Lokayukta at State).
Composition
- The structure varies from state to state.
Qualifications
- Judicial qualifications are prescribed for the Lokayukta in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka and Assam.
- But no specific qualifications are prescribed in the states of Bihar, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Appointment
- The Lokayukta and Upalokayukta are appointed by the Governor of the state.
- While appointing, the Governor in most of the states consults:
- (a) the Chief Justice of the state high court
- (b) the Leader of Opposition in the state legislative assembly
Tenure and Salary
- In most of the states, the term of office fixed for Lokayukta is of 5 years duration or 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.
- He is not eligible for reappointment for a second term.
Resignation
- By writing to the Governor.
LOKAYUKTA — KEY FACTS
- Act: Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013
- Structure: Varies from state to state
- Appointment: Governor (consults HC CJ + LoP)
- Tenure: 5 years / 65 years (most states)
- Not eligible for reappointment
- Judicial Qualifications: In UP, HP, AP, Gujarat, Odisha, Karnataka, Assam
- No Specific Qualifications: In Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
5. NITI Aayog
Establishment
- NITI Aayog is a premiere policy think tank of the Government of India.
- It was established in 2015 via an executive resolution by replacing the Planning Commission of India.
Composition
- Chairperson: Prime Minister
- Vice-Chairperson: To be appointed by Prime Minister. He/She enjoys the rank of a Cabinet Minister.
- Governing Council: Chief Ministers of all the States, Chief Ministers of Union Territories with Legislatures (i.e., Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir) and Lt. Governors of other Union Territories.
- Full-time Members: They enjoy the rank of a Minister of State.
- Regional Council: To address specific regional issues, comprising Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors chaired by the Prime Minister or his nominee.
- Ex-Officio Member: Maximum four from the Union Council of Ministers to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
- Chief Executive Officer: Appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed tenure, in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.
- Special Invitees: Experts and specialists with domain knowledge nominated by the Prime Minister.
NITI Aayog Hubs
- Team India Hub: Acts as an interface between States and Centre.
- Knowledge and Innovation Hub: Builds the think-tank acumen of NITI Aayog.
NITI AAYOG — KEY FACTS
- Established: 2015 (replaced Planning Commission)
- Nature: Premiere policy think tank
- Chairperson: Prime Minister
- Vice-Chairperson: Appointed by PM (Cabinet Minister rank)
- Governing Council: All CMs + UTs with legislature + Lt. Governors
- CEO: Secretary to Government of India rank
- Team India Hub: Interface between States and Centre
- Knowledge and Innovation Hub: Think-tank acumen
6. Summary: Bodies at a Glance
| Body | Establishment | Appointment | Tenure | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVC | 1964 (2003 Act) | President (PM + LoP + HM) | 4 yrs / 65 yrs | Santhanam Committee |
| CIC | RTI Act, 2005 | President (PM + LoP + Cabinet Minister) | 65 yrs (max 5 yrs) | Information Commission |
| SIC | RTI Act, 2005 | Governor (CM + LoP + State Cabinet Minister) | 65 yrs (max 5 yrs) | State Information Commission |
| Lokpal | 2013 Act | President (PM + Speaker + LoP + CJI + Jurist) | 5 yrs / 70 yrs | Ombudsman — PM included |
| Lokayukta | 2013 Act | Governor (consults HC CJ + LoP) | 5 yrs / 65 yrs | State Ombudsman |
| NITI Aayog | 2015 | Executive resolution | - | Think tank — replaced Planning Commission |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- CVC: 1964 (Santhanam Committee) → Statutory: 2003 — President appoints (PM + LoP + HM) — 4 yrs / 65 yrs
- CIC: RTI Act, 2005 — President appoints (PM + LoP + Cabinet Minister) — 65 yrs (max 5 yrs)
- SIC: RTI Act, 2005 — Governor appoints (CM + LoP + State Cabinet Minister) — 65 yrs (max 5 yrs)
- Lokpal: 2013 Act — President appoints (PM + Speaker + LoP + CJI + Jurist) — 5 yrs / 70 yrs — Jurisdiction: PM included
- Lokayukta: 2013 Act — Governor appoints (consults HC CJ + LoP) — 5 yrs / 65 yrs — State Ombudsman
- NITI Aayog: 2015 — PM is Chairperson — Vice-Chairperson (Cabinet Minister rank) — Governing Council: All CMs
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (CVC, CIC, Lokpal, Lokayukta & NITI Aayog)
Q1. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) was established on the recommendation of which committee?
Correct Answer: C. The CVC was established on the recommendation of the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964).
Q2. The CVC was conferred statutory status by which Act?
Correct Answer: C. The CVC was conferred statutory status by the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003.
Q3. The Central Information Commission (CIC) was established under which Act?
Correct Answer: A. The Central Information Commission (CIC) was established under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
Q4. The CIC Selection Committee consists of:
Correct Answer: B. The CIC Selection Committee consists of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM.
Q5. The Lokpal was established under which Act?
Correct Answer: C. The Lokpal was established under the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013.
Q6. The Lokpal Selection Committee consists of how many members?
Correct Answer: C. The Lokpal Selection Committee consists of 5 members: PM, Speaker, LoP (LS), CJI (or nominee), and an eminent jurist.
Q7. The tenure of Lokpal Chairperson is:
Correct Answer: B. The Lokpal Chairperson holds office for 5 years or till the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
Q8. NITI Aayog was established in which year?
Correct Answer: C. NITI Aayog was established in 2015 via an executive resolution, replacing the Planning Commission of India.
Q9. The Chairperson of NITI Aayog is:
Correct Answer: B. The Prime Minister is the Chairperson of NITI Aayog.
Q10. The salary of the Central Vigilance Commissioner is equivalent to:
Correct Answer: B. The salary and allowances of the Central Vigilance Commissioner are similar to those of the Chairman of UPSC.