In the Indian constitutional framework, which one of the following bodies is a constitutional body created directly by the Constitution of India?

Introduction / Context:
This question asks about the distinction between constitutional, statutory and extra constitutional bodies in India. Constitutional bodies are those that are directly mentioned and empowered by provisions of the Constitution itself. Statutory bodies are created by Acts of Parliament, while some others are created by executive resolutions. Examinations often test whether candidates can correctly classify key institutions into these categories.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Four institutions are listed as options.
• The task is to identify which one is a constitutional body.
• NITI Aayog, the National Human Rights Commission and the Central Vigilance Commission are included along with the Finance Commission.
• Only one of these has its existence mandated by a specific Article of the Constitution.

Concept / Approach:
Article 280 of the Constitution provides for a Finance Commission to be constituted by the President every five years or earlier as needed. This clearly makes the Finance Commission a constitutional body. In contrast, the Central Vigilance Commission was originally created by a resolution and later given statutory status through an Act. The National Human Rights Commission is also a statutory body, established under the Protection of Human Rights Act. NITI Aayog was formed by executive resolution to replace the Planning Commission and does not appear by name in the Constitution. Therefore, among the given options, the Finance Commission alone is constitutional.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall which bodies are explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, such as Finance Commission, Election Commission, Union Public Service Commission and others. Step 2: Look for these names among the options. Finance Commission appears and is known to be based on Article 280. Step 3: Recognise that National Human Rights Commission and Central Vigilance Commission are products of specific Acts and resolutions. Step 4: Note that NITI Aayog is a recent policy think tank not embedded in the constitutional text. Step 5: Select Finance Commission as the correct constitutional body.

Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative check is to consider how the chairperson of each body is appointed and whether the Constitution lays down that procedure. Article 280 clearly states that the President shall constitute a Finance Commission, giving this body a constitutional base. For NHRC and CVC, one must instead refer to Acts of Parliament that define their composition and powers. For NITI Aayog, the relevant documents are cabinet resolutions and government notifications. Since the question specifically asks for a constitutional body, only the Finance Commission matches this requirement fully.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The Central Vigilance Commission is a statutory body that advises on vigilance matters but was not created by any constitutional article. The National Human Rights Commission is similarly created under the Protection of Human Rights Act and is not part of the original Constitution text. NITI Aayog is an executive think tank formed to replace the Planning Commission and is neither statutory nor constitutional. These institutions are important but do not qualify as constitutional bodies in a strict legal sense.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes assume that newer and more discussed bodies like NITI Aayog or NHRC must be constitutional due to their prominence in news. Another common mistake is to think that any body with national in its name is constitutional. To avoid these errors, aspirants should memorise a short list of constitutional bodies and always check whether a specific Article number exists for that institution. This habit will help in quickly eliminating distractor options in examination settings.

Final Answer:
Among the given options, the only constitutional body is the Finance Commission of India, established under Article 280 of the Constitution.