Comprehensive List of Committees & Commissions in India for IAS Preparation
There are a variety of commissions in India, some are permanent, serving long-term objectives, while others are temporary, established for a specific purpose and dissolved once their objectives are fulfilled.
To help you understand better, we have listed the important Permanent Commissions below:
1. Central Information Commission (CIC)
- Purpose: To address complaints from aggrieved persons and ensure transparency in the functioning of the government
- Year of Establishment: 2005
2. Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)
- Purpose: To probe corruption-related offences by Central Government officers and other authorities under the Central Government
- Year of Establishment: 1964
3. Atomic Energy Commission of India
- Purpose: To oversee atomic energy activities in India and promote the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes
- Year of Establishment: 1948
4. Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)
- Purpose: To ensure fair income levels to farmers and promote the use of new technology for increased productivity
- Year of Establishment: 1965
5. National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)
- Purpose: To consider the inclusion and exclusion of communities in the backward list for job reservations and to provide necessary advice to the Central Government on these matters
- Year of Establishment: 1993
6. National Commission on Cattle
- Purpose: To propose measures to improve the condition of cattle in India
- Year of Establishment: 2002
7. National Commission for Women (NCW)
- Purpose: To safeguard and promote the interests of women in India
- Year of Establishment: 1992
8. Competition Commission of India (CCI)
- Purpose: To enforce ‘The Competition Act, 2002’ across India and ensure a fair competitive environment
- Year of Establishment: 2003
9. Telecom Commission
- Purpose: To oversee various aspects of telecommunications in the country
- Year of Establishment: 1989
10. National Statistical Commission (NCS)
- Purpose: To address the problems faced by statistical agencies in data collection and promote high standards in statistical practices
- Year of Establishment: 2005
11. Election Commission (ECI)
- Purpose: To administer the election process across India
- Year of Establishment: 1950
12. Law Commission
- Purpose: To recommend legal reforms for promoting justice in society
- Year of Establishment: 1834
13. Chief Labour Commissioner
- Purpose: To enforce labour laws and address other labour-related issues
- Year of Establishment: 1945
14. Finance Commission (FCI)
- Purpose: To define the financial relations between the centre and the states
- Year of Establishment: 1951
15. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
- Purpose: To protect and promote human rights
- Year of Establishment: 1993
16. University Grants Commission (UGC)
- Purpose: To recognize universities in India, distribute funds, and maintain standards in university education
- Year of Establishment: 1956
17. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
- Purpose: To safeguard and improve the condition of Scheduled Tribes in India
- Year of Establishment: 2004
18. National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector
- Purpose: To address the issues faced by enterprises in the unorganized sector
- Year of Establishment: 2004
19. National Forest Commission
- Purpose: To review and assess the existing forest policy
- Year of Establishment: 2003
20. Central Water Commission (CWC)
- Purpose: To oversee schemes for control, conservation, and utilization of water resources throughout the country
- Year of Establishment: 1945
21. Commission for Additional Sources of Energy
- Purpose: To formulate and implement policies and programmes for the development of new and renewable energy, and also conduct R&D in this area
- Year of Establishment: 1981
22. National Flood Commission (Rashtriya Barh Ayog)
- Purpose: To develop a coordinated, integrated, and scientific approach to the flood control problems in the country
- Year of Establishment: 1976
23. Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission (JRC)
- Purpose: To maintain liaison to ensure the most effective joint effort in maximizing the benefits from common river systems between India and Bangladesh
- Year of Establishment: 1972
24. Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
- Purpose: To plan, promote, organize, facilitate and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries in rural areas
- Year of Establishment: 1956
25. Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
- Purpose: To recruit staff for various posts in the Ministries and Departments of the Union Government
- Year of Establishment: 1975
26. Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC)
- Purpose: To provide recommendations regarding the public administration system of India
- Year of Establishment: 1966
27. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
- Purpose:
- Conduct examinations for appointment to the services of the Union
- Direct recruitment by selection through interviews
- Appointment of officers on promotion/deputation/ absorption and more
- Year of Establishment: 1926
The list of significant permanent commissions will be beneficial for candidates preparing for UPSC 2023 and other upcoming exams.
In addition to the permanent commissions, there are numerous Ad-Hoc Commissions that have been established for specific purposes. Here is a list of such commissions:
Ad-Hoc Commissions
1. States Reorganisation Commission
- Purpose: To propose the reorganization of state boundaries
- Year of Establishment: 1953
2. Kothari Commission
- Purpose: To suggest educational reforms
- Year of Establishment: 1964
3. Kapur Commission
- Purpose: To investigate the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi
- Year of Establishment: 1966
4. Khosla Commission
- Purpose: To re-investigate the death of Subhas Chandra Bose
- Year of Establishment: 1970
5. Mandal Commission
- Purpose: To discuss seat reservations and quotas for redressing caste discrimination
- Year of Establishment: 1979
6. Sarkaria Commission
- Purpose: To examine the relationship between the centre and the states
- Year of Establishment: 1983
7. Mukherjee Commission
- Purpose: To re-investigate the death of Subhas Chandra Bose
- Year of Establishment: 1959
8. Nanavati Commission
- Purpose: To inquire into the anti-Sikh riots of 1984
- Year of Establishment: 2000
9. Narendran Commission
- Purpose: To examine the representation of Backward Classes in the State public services
- Year of Establishment: 2000
10. National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution
- Purpose: To propose changes in electoral laws
- Year of Establishment: 2000
11. Nanavati-Shah Commission
- Purpose: To inquire into the Godhra incident and the subsequent communal riots in 2002
- Year of Establishment: 2002
12. Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities (Ranganath Misra Commission)
- Purpose: To address the issues of linguistic and religious minorities in India
- Year of Establishment: 2004
13. U.C. Banerjee Commission
- Purpose: To investigate the Godhra incident and the subsequent communal riots in 2002
- Year of Establishment: 2002
14. Thakkar Commission
- Purpose: To probe the assassination of Indira Gandhi
- Year of Establishment: 1984
15. Phukan Commission
- Purpose: To inquire into corruption allegations in the wake of the Tehelka tapes controversy
- Year of Establishment: 2003
16. Upendra Commission
- Purpose: To investigate the alleged rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama Devi
- Year of Establishment: 2004
17. M.M. Punchhi Commission
- Purpose: To examine the relationship between the centre and the states
- Year of Establishment: 2007
18. Shah Commission
- Purpose: To probe the excesses committed during the emergency (1975-77)
- Year of Establishment: 1977
10. Kalelkar Commission
- Purpose: To promote the welfare of the society’s deprived sections
- Year of Establishment: 1953
20. Liberhan Commission
- Purpose: To probe the demolition of Babri Masjid
- Year of Establishment: 1992