In Indian Polity and Civics, government organizations are classified based on how they were created. One of the most important classifications is the Statutory Body.
There is a third type called an 'Executive Body' (or Extra-Constitutional Body). These are created simply by a cabinet resolution (an executive order) without any Act of Parliament. Example: NITI Aayog.
A Statutory Body is an organization or agency that is created by passing an Act (a statute or law) in the Parliament or a State Legislature.
These bodies do not have their origins in the Indian Constitution. Instead, the government creates them later through specific laws when a need arises to regulate a sector or enforce certain rules.
| Feature | Constitutional Body | Statutory Body |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Specifically mentioned in the Constitution. | Created later by passing a Law/Act in Parliament. |
| Power source | Derives power directly from the Constitution. | Derives power from the specific Act that created it. |
| Examples | Election Commission, UPSC, Finance Commission. | SEBI, NHRC, RBI, NGT. |
| Changes | Hard to change (Requires a Constitutional Amendment). | Easier to change (Requires a simple amendment to the Act). |
No. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is NOT a statutory body. It derives its power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, but it is an executive agency.
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