Previous Year Question

The Planning Commission was not a constitutional body. It was not created by any Article of the Constitution; it was established through a Cabinet Resolution of the Government of India on 15 March 1950. It was therefore regarded as a non-constitutional and non-statutory body.

The Finance Commission is a constitutional body. Article 280 provides for the constitution of a Finance Commission by the President. Its principal functions include recommending the distribution of taxes between the Union and the States and dealing with related financial matters.

The Public Service Commission is also a constitutional body. Union and State Public Service Commissions are provided for under Article 315 of the Constitution. They perform constitutional functions relating primarily to recruitment to public services and related service matters.

The Election Commission is also a constitutional body. Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President in the Election Commission.

A useful current fact is that the Planning Commission was replaced by NITI Aayog from 1 January 2015. NITI Aayog is also not created by the Constitution; it too was constituted through an executive resolution.

Thus—

Finance Commission → Constitutional
Planning Commission → Non-Constitutional
Public Service Commission → Constitutional
Election Commission → Constitutional