Which one of the following bodies was established with a clear and specific provision under an Article of the Constitution of India, making it a constitutional body rather than a purely statutory one?

Introduction / Context:

This question tests whether you can distinguish between constitutional bodies and statutory bodies in the Indian system. Constitutional bodies are created directly by provisions in the Constitution and are mentioned in specific Articles, while statutory bodies are created by Acts of Parliament or state legislatures. The Election Commission and the Union Public Service Commission are both constitutional bodies, whereas several other watchdog and advisory institutions are statutory. The question asks you to identify a body that clearly owes its existence to a specific constitutional Article.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Several important institutions are listed, including commissions and oversight bodies.
• Some of these are constitutional bodies, and some are statutory creations.
• The phrase with a clear and specific provision under an Article of the Constitution highlights bodies that are expressly mentioned in the Constitution itself.
• You are expected to know at least which of the listed bodies are constitutional and which are statutory.

Concept / Approach:

The Election Commission of India is explicitly provided for in Article 324 of the Constitution. This Article lays down the creation of an Election Commission to supervise, direct and control elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice President. Because of this direct constitutional backing, the Election Commission is clearly a constitutional body. The Union Public Service Commission is also a constitutional body under Article 315, but in many exam questions of this pattern the Election Commission is highlighted in contrast to statutory bodies like the National Human Rights Commission and the Central Vigilance Commission, which are created by Acts of Parliament.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

If you consult the bare text of the Constitution, you will find a separate Part that refers to elections, with Article 324 establishing the Election Commission. In contrast, the full names of bodies like the National Human Rights Commission or the Central Vigilance Commission do not appear anywhere in the Constitution, but only in their respective statutes. This confirms which among the options has clear constitutional origin.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

The National Human Rights Commission is a statutory body created under the Protection of Human Rights Act and therefore does not owe its existence to a specific constitutional Article.

The Central Vigilance Commission is also a statutory body created by an Act of Parliament to deal with corruption and vigilance matters.

The National Commission for Women is established under a separate Act, and its name is not mentioned in the original constitutional text.

The Union Public Service Commission is indeed a constitutional body under Article 315, but in many multiple choice patterns of this type, the focus is on the Election Commission which is central to free and fair elections. The question contrasts such constitutional commissions with newer statutory bodies, and Election Commission fits this contrast most clearly.

Common Pitfalls:

A frequent confusion arises because several oversight and regulatory bodies are called commissions, but their legal status differs. Students must remember that only some commissions, such as the Election Commission and the Union and State Public Service Commissions, are constitutional, while others like the National Human Rights Commission and Central Vigilance Commission are statutory. Memorising this classification in a small table can help avoid errors in exam questions of this kind.

Final Answer:

The body that is clearly established under a specific Article of the Constitution is the Election Commission.