In the Indian constitutional system, who is popularly known as the "guardian of the public purse"?

Introduction / Context:

Financial accountability is a cornerstone of democratic governance. In India, public money collected from taxpayers and other sources must be spent according to law and with due care. The Constitution therefore creates independent institutions to scrutinise how governments spend funds. One of the most important of these is the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, often described as the guardian of the public purse. This question checks whether you know which authority carries this informal but meaningful title.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase used is "guardian of the public purse".
• The options include four important institutions or authorities in India.
• The subject is financial oversight and audit of government expenditure.
• We assume you are familiar with the basic roles of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and other high offices.

Concept / Approach:

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is an independent constitutional authority appointed under Articles 148 to 151 of the Constitution. The CAG audits the accounts of the Union and State governments and of government owned bodies. Through audit reports submitted to legislatures, the CAG helps Parliament and State legislatures oversee how the executive has used public funds. Because this office safeguards public finances by checking misuse, wastage, and irregularities in expenditure, it is widely called the guardian of the public purse. None of the other options has this specific functional label.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

You can verify your answer by revisiting standard Indian Polity texts, which consistently refer to the CAG as the guardian of the public purse. Additionally, the CAG is given security of tenure and protected service conditions to ensure independence from the executive, which reinforces this role. The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers but does not perform audit functions, the Chief Justice heads the judiciary, and the Ministry of Law and Justice advises on legal matters but does not monitor public expenditure in the same independent manner as the CAG.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Option B, Prime Minister of India, is the head of the government but is responsible for policy and administration rather than independent audit of public accounts. Option C, Chief Justice of India, leads the judiciary and ensures justice but is not tasked with routine financial oversight of government spending. Option D, Ministry of Law and Justice, primarily handles legal affairs and legislative drafting and does not function as an independent auditor of government accounts. None of these institutions is commonly described as the guardian of the public purse.

Common Pitfalls:

Some candidates may mistakenly associate the phrase guardian of the public purse with the Finance Ministry or with Parliament, since both deal with budgeting and passing of money bills. However, the term in exam contexts specifically refers to the institution that checks how money is actually spent and reports back to the legislature. Remembering that the CAG stands outside the executive and examines its financial operations helps you avoid this confusion.

Final Answer:

In the Indian constitutional framework, the authority popularly known as the guardian of the public purse is the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.