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?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) Only one
Only the National Commission for Backward Classes is a constitutional body, since it works under Article 338B. The NHRC and the NCDRC are statutory bodies set up by Acts of Parliament, and the Law Commission is a non-statutory body set up by the Government.
- ✓ 1. The NCBC was given constitutional status under Article 338B, inserted in 2018, and functions like the National Commissions for SCs (Article 338) and STs (Article 338A).
- ✗ 2. The NHRC is statutory. Section 3 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 says the Central Government shall constitute it.
- ✗ 3. The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body, constituted by the Government of India from time to time, and is neither in the Constitution nor created by an Act.
- ✗ 4. The NCDRC is statutory. Section 53 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provides for the Central Government to establish it by notification.
Remember · Constitutional: NCBC (Art. 338B), NCSC (338), NCST (338A). Statutory: NHRC, NCDRC. Non-statutory: Law Commission.
Sources
- New NCBC to be constituted like the National Commissions for SCs and STs (PIB) ↗ “The new National Commission for Backward Classes will be constituted under Article 338B and will commence functioning as a constitutional authority”
- The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, section 3 (NHRC) ↗ “The Central Government shall constitute a body to be known as the National Human Rights Commission to exercise the powers conferred upon, and to perform the functions assigned to it, under this Act.”
- Cabinet approves Constitution of 22nd Law Commission of India (PIB) ↗ “The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body constituted by the Government of India from time to time.”
- The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, section 53 (NCDRC bare act) ↗ “The Central Government shall, by notification, establish a National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, to be known as the National Commission.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2023, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·