Indian Polity & Governance – Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
Assam Public Service Commission (APSC)
Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) – Preliminary Examination
General Studies Paper I (Objective, 200 Marks)
Topic: Indian Polity & Governance
Sub-Topic: Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
Constitutional & Statutory Bodies – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers & Explanations
Q1. Which of the following is a Constitutional Body?
A. Central Vigilance Commission
B. National Human Rights Commission
C. Election Commission of India
D. NITI Aayog
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is established directly by the Constitution under Article 324, making it a constitutional body.
Q2. Which Article of the Constitution provides for the Election Commission of India?
A. Article 320
B. Article 324
C. Article 326
D. Article 329
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Article 324 deals with the superintendence, direction, and control of elections by the Election Commission.
Q3. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is appointed by the:
A. Prime Minister
B. Chief Justice of India
C. President of India
D. Parliament
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The President appoints the CAG under Article 148 of the Constitution.
Q4. Which of the following is a statutory body?
A. Finance Commission
B. Union Public Service Commission
C. Central Vigilance Commission
D. Election Commission
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) was established by an Act of Parliament, making it a statutory body.
Q5. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is mentioned under:
A. Part XIII
B. Part XIV
C. Part XV
D. Part XVI
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Part XIV (Articles 315–323) deals with services under the Union and the States, including UPSC and State PSCs.
Q6. Which constitutional body recommends the distribution of central taxes between Centre and States?
A. NITI Aayog
B. Finance Commission
C. GST Council
D. Inter-State Council
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Finance Commission, under Article 280, recommends tax devolution and grants-in-aid.
Q7. How often is the Finance Commission constituted?
A. Every 3 years
B. Every 4 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Every 6 years
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Constitution mandates the establishment of a Finance Commission every five years.
Q8. Which of the following bodies conducts recruitment for All-India Services?
A. Staff Selection Commission
B. State Public Service Commission
C. Union Public Service Commission
D. Election Commission
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The UPSC conducts examinations for IAS, IPS, IFS, and other central services.
Q9. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a:
A. Constitutional body
B. Judicial body
C. Statutory body
D. Quasi-judicial body only
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
NHRC was established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, making it a statutory body.
Q10. Which Article provides for the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General?
A. Article 112
B. Article 148
C. Article 280
D. Article 324
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Article 148 provides for the appointment and duties of the CAG.
Q11. Which body audits the accounts of the Union and State governments?
A. Finance Commission
B. UPSC
C. CAG
D. Election Commission
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The CAG audits government accounts to ensure financial accountability.
Q12. The State Public Service Commission is appointed by the:
A. Chief Minister
B. Governor
C. President
D. State Legislature
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Governor appoints members of the State Public Service Commission under Article 316.
Q13. Which constitutional body supervises elections to Panchayats and Municipalities?
A. Election Commission of India
B. UPSC
C. State Election Commission
D. Finance Commission
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The State Election Commission conducts elections to local bodies under Articles 243K and 243ZA.
Q14. Which of the following is NOT a constitutional body?
A. Finance Commission
B. Election Commission
C. UPSC
D. Central Information Commission
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The Central Information Commission is a statutory body under the RTI Act, 2005.
Q15. Which body replaced the Planning Commission?
A. Finance Commission
B. GST Council
C. NITI Aayog
D. Inter-State Council
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission in 2015 as a policy think tank.
Q16. The Chief Election Commissioner enjoys security of tenure similar to:
A. Prime Minister
B. Attorney General
C. Judge of the Supreme Court
D. Cabinet Secretary
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The CEC can be removed only like a Supreme Court judge, ensuring independence.
Q17. Which body advises the President on civil service matters?
A. Election Commission
B. Finance Commission
C. UPSC
D. CAG
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The UPSC advises on recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary matters.
Q18. Which statutory body ensures transparency through the RTI Act?
A. CVC
B. CAG
C. Central Information Commission
D. NITI Aayog
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Central Information Commission (CIC) enforces the Right to Information Act.
Q19. Which constitutional body is responsible for safeguarding financial federalism?
A. GST Council
B. Finance Commission
C. Inter-State Council
D. NITI Aayog
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Finance Commission ensures fair financial relations between Centre and States.
Q20. The Attorney General of India is appointed under:
A. Article 124
B. Article 148
C. Article 76
D. Article 280
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Article 76 provides for the office of the Attorney General of India.
Q21. Which of the following bodies is advisory in nature?
A. Election Commission
B. UPSC
C. CAG
D. Finance Commission
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The UPSC’s recommendations are advisory, not binding on the government.
Q22. Which body ensures free and fair elections in India?
A. UPSC
B. CAG
C. Election Commission
D. State Legislature
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Election Commission of India ensures electoral integrity.
Q23. The GST Council is a:
A. Constitutional body
B. Statutory body
C. Executive body
D. Judicial body
Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
The GST Council was established under Article 279A by the 101st Amendment.
Q24. Which of the following bodies is NOT mentioned in the Constitution?
A. Election Commission
B. UPSC
C. Finance Commission
D. NITI Aayog
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
NITI Aayog is an executive body, not mentioned in the Constitution.
Q25. The tenure of members of the UPSC is:
A. 4 years
B. 5 years
C. 6 years or till 65 years
D. Till retirement
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
UPSC members hold office for 6 years or until 65 years, whichever is earlier.
Q26. Which body acts as the guardian of the public purse?
A. Finance Commission
B. CAG
C. UPSC
D. Election Commission
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The CAG ensures lawful and proper utilization of public funds.
Q27. Which statutory body deals with corruption in public offices?
A. NHRC
B. CVC
C. CIC
D. NITI Aayog
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
The Central Vigilance Commission addresses corruption in government institutions.
Q28. Which constitutional body can disqualify a Member of Parliament on defection grounds?
A. Election Commission
B. President
C. Supreme Court
D. Speaker of the House
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
The Speaker/Chairman decides disqualification under the Tenth Schedule.
Q29. Which body prepares electoral rolls for elections?
A. UPSC
B. State Election Commission
C. Election Commission of India
D. Census Commission
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Election Commission of India prepares and revises electoral rolls.
Q30. Constitutional and statutory bodies mainly aim to:
A. Centralize administration
B. Strengthen executive control
C. Ensure accountability and good governance
D. Reduce public participation
Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
These bodies ensure checks and balances, accountability, transparency, and democratic governance.
✅ APSC Prelims Smart Tip
For Constitutional & Statutory Bodies, focus on:
- Articles and constitutional provisions
- Appointment, tenure, and functions
- Difference between constitutional, statutory, and executive bodies
- Independence and accountability mechanisms
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Constitutional bodies MCQs APSC
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Statutory bodies questions APSC
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Election Commission UPSC CAG MCQs
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Indian Polity bodies prelims questions
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NHRC CVC CIC MCQs
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APSC GS Paper I polity MCQs
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Difference constitutional statutory bodies