Which of the following bodies is not provided for directly in the text of the Constitution of India and therefore is not a constitutional body?

Introduction / Context:

This question assesses your understanding of which important institutions in India are constitutional bodies and which are created by executive resolution or statute without being written into the Constitution. Constitutional bodies are expressly mentioned in specific Articles, while other institutions may be set up by ordinary law or executive order. The Planning Commission, though historically important, had a different legal status from bodies like the Election Commission or Finance Commission.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Several well known institutions are listed as options.
• The question asks which body is not provided for in the Constitution of India.
• It is understood that some of these bodies are clearly named in Articles of the Constitution, while others are not.
• You are expected to recognise which one is non constitutional in origin.

Concept / Approach:

The Election Commission, Finance Commission, Public Service Commissions and the Comptroller and Auditor General are all constitutional bodies with clear Articles devoted to them. The Planning Commission, on the other hand, was established by an executive resolution of the Government of India after independence and was not mentioned in the Constitution. It enjoyed significant influence in planning and allocation of resources, but its existence did not depend on any constitutional provision and it has since been replaced by NITI Aayog. Therefore, among the options given, Planning Commission is the one that is not provided for in the Constitution.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Checking any standard Indian polity book or the bare text of the Constitution confirms that there is no Article creating a Planning Commission. However, you will find detailed Articles for the Election Commission, Finance Commission, Public Service Commissions and the Comptroller and Auditor General. This clear difference in constitutional status confirms which option is not provided in the Constitution.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

The Election Commission is explicitly provided for in Article 324 and is a key constitutional body for overseeing elections.

The Finance Commission is set up under Article 280 to recommend the distribution of financial resources between the Union and the states.

Public Service Commissions, including the Union Public Service Commission and State Public Service Commissions, are provided for under Article 315 and related Articles.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is a constitutional authority established under Article 148 to audit government accounts.

Common Pitfalls:

A frequent mistake is to assume that any important body must be in the Constitution. However, importance does not automatically mean constitutional status. Many significant institutions like the Planning Commission, now replaced by NITI Aayog, and various commissions were created outside the constitutional text. It is crucial to memorise which key bodies are constitutional, statutory or created by executive orders to answer such questions accurately.

Final Answer:

The body that is not provided for in the Constitution of India is the Planning Commission.