Question

Which of the following pairs is correctly matched regarding the Constitutional body and its Nodal Ministry?

• A. Attorney general of India - Ministry of Home Affairs
• B. National Commission for SCs - Ministry of Tribal Affairs
• C. Inter State Council - Ministry of Finance
• D. Union Public Service Commission - Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Union Public Service Commission - Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

• The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India's central agency for conducting examinations for all India services, Group A and Group B of the Central services.
• It is a constitutional body established by the Constitution of India under Article 315.
• The UPSC is responsible for recruiting candidates for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other civil services.
• The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is the nodal ministry for the UPSC. This ministry is responsible for the administration of the civil services of the country, including recruitment, training, and service conditions.
• The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is headed by a Minister of State (Independent Charge).

Other Constitutional Bodies and their Nodal Ministries (Illustrative Examples):

• Election Commission of India (ECI): While the ECI is an independent constitutional body, matters related to its administration and the conduct of elections often involve coordination with the Ministry of Law and Justice, particularly concerning electoral laws.
• Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG): The CAG is an independent constitutional authority. Its reports are submitted to the President, who causes them to be laid before Parliament. There isn't a direct 'nodal ministry' in the same sense as UPSC, as its independence is paramount. However, matters concerning its audit mandate might involve interaction with various ministries whose accounts it audits.
• Finance Commission: This is a quasi-judicial body constituted every five years. The Ministry of Finance is closely associated with its functioning, especially in providing data and context for its recommendations on fiscal matters.