Question

The head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, Comptroller and Auditor General of India is a constitutional authority created by

• A. the Constitution
• B. the Lok Sabha
• C. the Rajya Sabha
• D. the Supreme Court of India

Hint:

Any body or office mentioned in the articles of the Constitution of India (like CAG under Article 148, or Election Commission under Article 324) is a constitutional body.
Statutory bodies, on the other hand, are created by acts of Parliament.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks about the origin and nature of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, specifically whether it is a constitutional body or created by other branches of government.
We need to determine which authority created this independent auditing position.


Step 2: Key Principle / Approach:
An authority is classified as "constitutional" if it is directly established by the provisions of the Constitution of India, rather than by an act of Parliament or executive order.


Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• The CAG of India is the guardian of the public purse and heads the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.

• Article 148 of the Constitution of India provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

• The CAG is appointed by the President of India by warrant under his hand and seal.

• Since this office is established directly by the text of the Constitution under Part V, Chapter V, it is a constitutional authority.

• It is not a statutory body created by a parliamentary act (such as the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha alone), nor is it a judicial creation of the Supreme Court, making options (B), (C), and (D) incorrect.

• The duties and powers of the CAG are further elaborated under Article 149 and the CAG (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971.

• The independence of the CAG is safeguarded by constitutional provisions, such as security of tenure (removable only in a manner similar to a Supreme Court judge) and the fact that their salary and administrative expenses are charged to the Consolidated Fund of India.



Step 4: Final Answer:
The office of the CAG is a constitutional authority created directly by the Constitution, corresponding to Option (A).