A Commission is a body of people or an organization which is appointed or formed to carry out some subordinate administrative or executive task. It could be a fact-finding or investigating organization which gathers information, collects facts, presents data, makes reports and submissions to enable a Judicial or Legislative or Quasi-Judicial body to make an informed decision or adjudicate on a particular matter. It could also be an organization which carries out regular executive or routine activities of the government.
A commission is typically a body created to investigate, recommend, or oversee specific issues, often with a defined mandate. It can be temporary (e.g., an inquiry commission) or permanent (e.g., a constitutional commission). Commissions are often advisory or supervisory in nature, focusing on policy recommendations, dispute resolution, or ensuring compliance with laws and rights.
How is a Commission different from a Tribunal? How is it different from an Agency or Authority or Council or Committee or a Board?
A board is a collective body established to manage, administer, or regulate specific activities, often with a more operational or executive role compared to a commission. Boards typically focus on day-to-day management, implementation of policies, or governance of a specific sector or organization.
An authority is a body vested with specific powers to regulate, enforce, or implement laws and policies in a particular sector, often with greater autonomy and decision-making capacity than a commission or board. Authorities are designed to execute and enforce rules, often acting as quasi-judicial or independent regulators.
A committee is a group of individuals formed to deliberate, investigate, or advise on specific matters, often as a subset of a larger organization or legislative body. Committees are typically tasked with detailed examination, consultation, or drafting recommendations on specific issues.
An agency is an organization or department, often under a government ministry, responsible for implementing policies, delivering services, or executing specific programs. Agencies focus on operational execution rather than policy-making or regulation.
A council is a deliberative or advisory body, often representing diverse stakeholders, tasked with coordination, consultation, or governance in a specific domain. Councils facilitate dialogue, set standards, or provide strategic direction, often with a broader scope than committees.
Committee: A parliamentary committee might review a bill, but it doesn’t enforce laws.
Agency: The CBI investigates corruption cases but doesn’t set anti-corruption policy.
Council: The NSC coordinates security policy but doesn’t implement it directly.
Commission: The NHRC investigates human rights abuses and recommends action.
Board: The CBSE sets exam standards and conducts them.
Authority: The NHAI builds highways and enforces contracts.
Which are the various commissions in India?
- Law Commission
- Human Rights Commission
- Police
- National Commission for Women and Children
- Advocate Commissioners appointed by the Court
- Central Information Commission (CIC)
- Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
- Competition Commission of India (CCI)
- Election Commission (ECI)
- University Grants Commission (UGC)
- Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- State Public Service Commission
- National Consumer Disputes Commission
- Mandal Commission
- 8th Pay Commission
- Settlement Commission
- Judicial Commission under the The Judicial Commissioners’ Courts (Declaration As High Courts) Act, 1950
- Justice Verma Commission: A temporary commission formed to recommend legal reforms after the 2012 Delhi gang rape case.
- Finance Commission: Recommends financial resource allocation between the Centre and states.