Statutory & Quasi-Judicial Bodies: UPSC, CVC, CBI, Lokpal

📚 This topic overlaps across exams — read our in-depth, shared write-up: Important Committees →

📋 UPSC (Art 315-323)

The Union Public Service Commission conducts recruitment examinations for All-India and Central Services (including the Civil Services Exam this site covers), and advises the government on service matters, disciplinary cases, and recruitment rules.

🕵️ CVC & CBI

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), a statutory body (not constitutional), oversees vigilance and anti-corruption activity in central government organisations. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India's premier investigating agency, functions under the CVC's superintendence for corruption-related cases but is administratively under the Department of Personnel & Training.

⚖️ Lokpal & Lokayuktas

The Lokpal (created by the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013) is a statutory anti-corruption ombudsman with jurisdiction over the Prime Minister (with safeguards), ministers, and public servants at the central level; Lokayuktas are the equivalent institutions at the state level.

💡 Key Facts

UPSC (Art 315-323) is a constitutional body for civil service recruitment.
CVC and CBI are statutory (not constitutional) anti-corruption/investigative bodies.
Lokpal (2013 Act) covers the Union level; Lokayuktas cover states.

🔖 60-Second Revision

UPSC (constitutional) — recruitment & service advice.
CVC + CBI (statutory) — vigilance & investigation.
Lokpal (Union) + Lokayuktas (states) — anti-corruption ombudsman, 2013 Act.