Previous Year Question

An Extra-Constitutional body is an institution whose establishment is not directly provided for in the Constitution. NITI Aayog was constituted through a resolution of the Union Cabinet on 1 January 2015; therefore, it does not derive its existence from a specific Article of the Constitution.

NITI Aayog is also not a statutory body, because it was not established through an Act passed by Parliament. It is therefore generally classified as both an Extra-Constitutional and Non-Statutory body.

NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission. The Cabinet Resolution of 1 January 2015 constituted NITI Aayog and superseded the earlier resolution relating to the Planning Commission. Its major role is to provide strategic and policy direction, long-term policy and programme inputs, and technical advice to the Centre and the States.

The other three options derive directly from the Constitution. The Union Public Service Commission is provided for beginning with Article 315; the Finance Commission is constituted under Article 280; and the constitutional basis of the Election Commission is Article 324.

The important examination distinction is that a Constitutional body derives its authority directly from the Constitution; a Statutory body is created by a law enacted by the legislature; whereas an Executive/Extra-Constitutional body such as NITI Aayog may be established through an executive or Cabinet resolution.