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× #1 The Constitution: Foundation of Modern Governance #2 fundamental rights #3 preamble #4 union territory #5 prime minister #6 Cabinet Ministers of India #7 Panchayati Raj System in India #8 44th Constitutional Amendment Act... #9 UNION TERRITORY #10 CITIZENSHIP #11 Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) #12 Fundamental Duties #13 Union Executive #14 Federalism #15 Emergency Provisions #16 Parliament of India #17 Union Budget – Government Budgeting #18 State Executive. #19 State Legislature. #20 Indian Judiciary – Structure, Powers, and Independence #21 Tribunals #22 Local Government in India #23 Election #24 Constitutional Bodies #25 Statutory, Quasi-Judicial, and Non-Constitutional Bodies – The Backbone of Indian Governance #26 Regulatory Bodies in India #27 Pressure Group #28 Importance Supreme Court Judgements in India #29 Recent Bills Passed in Parliament #30 One Nation One Election proposal #31 Women’s Reservation Act 2023 #32 Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 #33 Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (IPC overhaul) #34 Electoral Bonds verdict 2024 #35 Same-Sex Marriage SC ruling 2023 #36 Uniform Civil Code (Uttarakhand) 2024 #37 GST Council vs States (Mohit Minerals 2022) #38 Internal Reservation for SC Sub-castes #39 Karnataka OBC Muslim quota litigation #40 Economic Weaker Sections (EWS) Review #41 Parliamentary Ethics Committee controversies 2024 #42 Speaker’s disqualification powers (10th Schedule) #43 Delimitation after 2026 freeze #44 Appointment of Election Commissioners Act 2023 #45 Judicial Accountability & Collegium transparency #46 Lokayukta & Lokpal performance audit #47 NJAC revival debate #48 Governor–State friction (TN, Kerala) #49 Tribal autonomy & Sixth Schedule expansion #50 Panchayat digital governance reforms #51 Urban Local Body finance post-15th FC #52 Police reforms and Model Police Act #53 Judicial infrastructure mission #54 National Education Policy (federal challenges) #55 Health federalism post-COVID #56 Gig-worker social security #57 Climate governance & Just Transition #58 India–Maldives tensions 2024 #59 India–Sri Lanka economic integration #60 India–Bhutan energy cooperation #61 India–Nepal border settlements #62 India–China LAC disengagement #63 India–US tech initiative (iCET) #64 Quad-Plus and Indo-Pacific law #65 BRICS expansion 2024 #66 UNSC reform negotiations #67 Global South after India’s G20 presidency #68 Israel–Hamas war & India #69 Afghanistan engagement #70 ASEAN–India trade upgrade #71 EU Carbon Border Mechanism #72 Arctic Policy & Svalbard Treaty #73 International Solar Alliance expansion #74 World Bank Evolution Roadmap #75 AI governance & global norms #76 Cybersecurity strategy 2024 #77 Deepfake regulation #78 Press freedom & defamation #79 RTI Act dilution concerns #80 Mission Karmayogi (Civil services reforms) #81 Citizen charters & Sevottam 2.0 #82 NITI Aayog SDG Localisation dashboards #83 NGT caseload & effectiveness #84 Judicial review of environmental clearances #85 Disaster Management Act post-cyclones #86 NCRB data transparency #87 Prison reforms & overcrowding #88 E-Courts Phase-III #89 Transgender Persons Act #90 Rights of Persons with Disabilities audit #91 Juvenile Justice Model Rules 2023 #92 Nutrition governance—Poshan Tracker #93 Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) export #94 FRBM review #95 Cooperative federalism—PM GatiShakti #96 Concurrent List disputes #97 Inter-State Council revival #98 River water disputes #99 Tribal rights vs forest conservation #100 Minority welfare schemes review #101 NGO roles & FCRA #102 Electoral roll & Aadhaar linkage #103 Model Code of Conduct digital enforcement #104 Parliamentary Committees backlog #105 State Legislative Council creation #106 Coastal zone governance (CRZ-II) #107 National Language Commission idea #108 Digital Commons & Open Source policy #109 Court-mandated mediation law #110 India’s refugee policy #111 Smart Cities Mission audit #112 Swachh Bharat Phase-II #113 One Health approach #114 National Research Foundation Bill #115 Internet shutdowns & proportionality #116 Caste census demand #117 Crypto-assets regulation draft #118 Public Sector Bank governance reforms #119 New Logistics Policy & ULIP #120 Labour Codes implementation #121 NaMo Drone Didi scheme #122 PM-JANMAN tribal mission #123 Vibrant Village Programme #124 Cyber-bullying legal framework #125 Plea bargaining expansion #126 UNHRC votes & India’s HR stance #127 Green Hydrogen Mission governance #128 Right to Digital Access (Fundamental Right) #129 Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill 2024 #130 National Commission for Minorities restructuring #131 Cooperative Federalism vs State Autonomy tensions #132 Governor’s Discretionary Powers—SC guidelines #133 Cybersecurity governance updates #134 Parliamentary Committee system reforms #135 AI governance framework #136 Inter-State Council effectiveness #137 Digital Public Infrastructure governance #138 Constitutional amendment procedure debates #139 Delimitation Commission & population freeze #140 Emergency provisions misuse concerns #141 Social media regulation & liability

indian polity

Introduction

While Constitutional Bodies derive their powers directly from the Indian Constitution, many other institutions serve vital roles in Indian democracy. These are Statutory Bodies, Quasi-Judicial Bodies, and Non-Constitutional Bodies.

These institutions are not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution but are created through Acts of Parliament, executive resolutions, or for specialized functions. They help ensure smooth administration, protection of rights, transparency in governance, and conflict resolution.

Statutory Bodies

Definition:

Statutory bodies are institutions that are created by a law passed by Parliament or a state legislature. These bodies are established to carry out specific duties and responsibilities that are prescribed under the statute (Act) that creates them.

Key Features:

  • Created by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature.

  • Derive their power and authority from that Act.

  • Perform regulatory, advisory, or administrative roles.

Examples of Statutory Bodies:

  1. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) – under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

  2. Central Information Commission (CIC) – under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

  3. National Commission for Women (NCW) – under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990.

  4. SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) – under the SEBI Act, 1992.

  5. National Green Tribunal (NGT) – under the NGT Act, 2010.

Quasi-Judicial Bodies

Definition:

Quasi-judicial bodies are those which have some powers of a court of law, but are not courts themselves. They are created to adjudicate disputes in specific areas and provide decisions that are binding in nature, similar to courts.

Key Features:

  • Have limited judicial authority delegated by law.

  • Can conduct hearings and pass orders.

  • Decisions are binding and appealable.

  • Not part of regular judiciary but provide legal remedies.

Examples of Quasi-Judicial Bodies:

  1. National Human Rights Commission (also quasi-judicial)

  2. Income Tax Appellate Tribunal

  3. Consumer Disputes Redressal Forums (Consumer Courts)

  4. Competition Commission of India (CCI)

  5. Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)

Non-Constitutional Bodies

Definition:

Non-Constitutional Bodies are not mentioned in the Constitution and are not created by a statute either. Instead, they are established by executive resolutions or decisions of the Union or State governments.

Key Features:

  • Created through government orders or resolutions.

  • No direct legal backing from the Constitution or a statute.

  • Function mainly in an advisory or planning capacity.

Examples of Non-Constitutional Bodies:

  1. NITI Aayog – successor of the Planning Commission.

  2. National Development Council (NDC)

  3. Zonal Councils

  4. Economic Advisory Council to the PM

  5. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) – a private body but performs public functions.

Comparison Table

Category Basis of Creation Power Source Examples
Constitutional Bodies Constitution Constitution Articles UPSC, ECI, CAG
Statutory Bodies Law (Act of Parliament) Specific Acts NHRC, SEBI, CIC
Quasi-Judicial Bodies Law or Executive Order Delegated Judicial Authority NGT, CAT, Consumer Forums
Non-Constitutional Bodies Executive Resolution/Order Executive Discretion NITI Aayog, NDC, BCCI

 

Why Are These Bodies Important?

  • Regulation & Oversight: They regulate key sectors like finance, environment, information, and human rights.

  • Decentralization: Eases the burden on judiciary and executive.

  • Specialized Expertise: Provide informed decision-making in technical fields.

  • Speedy Justice: Quasi-judicial bodies ensure quicker resolution of disputes.

  • Participatory Governance: Encourage planning and advisory roles involving citizens and states.

Challenges Faced by These Bodies

  • Lack of Independence: Some are under political influence.

  • Resource Constraints: Many lack adequate funding and staff.

  • Implementation Issues: Their recommendations/orders are sometimes ignored.

  • Overlapping Jurisdiction: Conflict with constitutional bodies or courts.

Reform Suggestions

  • Strengthen legal backing for non-constitutional bodies.

  • Ensure autonomy of statutory and quasi-judicial bodies.

  • Improve funding, staffing, and infrastructure.

  • Greater transparency and public accountability.

Conclusion

India’s governance system is supported not only by constitutional authorities but also by a wide range of statutory, quasi-judicial, and non-constitutional bodies. These institutions bring efficiency, specialization, and balance into administration and policymaking.

Understanding their role helps citizens participate more actively in democracy, demand accountability, and appreciate the checks and balances in our system. As India continues to evolve, these bodies will remain critical for addressing modern governance challenges and upholding justice.