Question 49 from UPSC CSE 2023 - Polity & Governanc e

Question

Consider the following organizations/bodies in India:
1. The National Commission for Backward Classes
2. The National Human Rights Commission
3. The National Law Commission
4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
How many of the above are constitutional bodies?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Only one

Strategy: The approach focuses on identifying the foundational source of power for each body: constitutional, statutory, or executive. The National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is unique among the given options due to its creation by a constitutional amendment (102nd Amendment, Article 338B). Since only one body strictly meets the definition of being constitutionally established, the correct answer is 'Only one'.

Key Info: Constitutional bodies are specifically mentioned in the Constitution of India or created via a constitutional amendment.

- **National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)**: Enshrined by the Constitution (102nd Amendment) Act, 2018, under Article 338B. This makes it a constitutional body designed to safeguard the interests of socially and educationally backward classes. Its powers and structure are constitutionally defined.

- **National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)**: A statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. It functions to protect and promote human rights but derives its authority from legislation, not directly from the Constitution.

- **Law Commission of India**: An executive/advisory body, periodically constituted by the Government of India for legal research and reform recommendations. It is not founded on a constitutional or statutory mandate but is set up through executive resolution.

- **National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC)**: Established under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, as a statutory quasi-judicial commission to adjudicate consumer disputes at the national level. Its authority originates from this statute.

India's core constitutional bodies include the Election Commission, Union/State Public Service Commissions, Comptroller and Auditor General, the Attorney General, and bodies like the NCBC if clearly specified by constitutional amendment.

Answer

Option B: Only two

Answer

Option C: Only three

Answer

Option D: All four

Consider the following organizations/bodies in India: The National Commission for Backward Classes The National Human Rights Commission The National Law Commission The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission How many of the above are constitutional bodies?

Consider the following organizations/bodies in India:

The National Commission for Backward Classes

The National Human Rights Commission

The National Law Commission

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
How many of the above are constitutional bodies?