BharatNotes Central Vigilance Commission
/ˈsentrəl ˈvɪdʒɪləns kəˈmɪʃən/India's apex statutory anti-corruption advisory body established under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, comprising a Central Vigilance Commissioner and up to two Vigilance Commissioners, with jurisdiction over all Central Government employees (Group A and above) and officers of Central PSUs, banks, and insurance companies, advising on vigilance matters and superintending the CBI's functioning in corruption cases.
Context & Background
The CVC was first established by executive resolution in 1964 on the recommendation of the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption. It received statutory status under the CVC Act, 2003. The CVC differs from Lokpal in that it is advisory (can only recommend, not order prosecution), lacks jurisdiction over elected officials, and works primarily through Departmental Vigilance Officers. CVC's superintendence over CBI is limited to PE/RC cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
UPSC Exam Relevance
GS2 Governance — Prelims: statutory status (CVC Act 2003); recommended by Santhanam Committee (1964); advisory jurisdiction (Group A officers upward); superintendence over CBI (only corruption cases); 3-member composition; appointments by PM + Home Minister + Leader of Opposition committee. Mains: CVC vs CBI vs Lokpal — jurisdiction and powers comparison; advisory vs quasi-judicial nature; limitations of CVC (no independent investigation, no prosecution powers, depends on departmental compliance); Vineet Narain case (1997) — Supreme Court directions on CBI autonomy.
