Important Committees and Commissions in India – List of Committees in India

What are Important Committees and Commissions in India?

Important committees and commissions in India refer to governmental bodies established to investigate, study, and make recommendations on various issues of national importance. These committees and commissions are formed by the government to address specific matters, gather expert opinions, and provide guidance for policy formulation and decision-making processes

Important Committees and Commissions in India PDF

It is essential to have various committees and commissions for the smooth processing of the Indian system. Each committee is created to fulfill some goal, and it is observed that the purpose is accomplished for the betterment of society.

Types of Important Committees and Commissions in India

There are several different important commissions in India that are both permanent and ad-hoc.

• The commissions in India that are formed with the view of a long-term goal are called permanent commissions.
• Ad-hoc commissions are those that are formed to fulfill a specific task or a short-term goal. These commissions are dissolved once the intended task is completed.
• There are several commissions in India that enjoy a Constitutional status and are very important pillars in the Indian administrative system. A few such commissions are Union Public Service Commission, Finance Commission, and the Election Commission.
• The permanent or perpetual commissions and committees in India are those formed with relatively important & long-term goals that lead to major changes in the system of a country. On the other hand, Ad-hoc commissions are formed to accomplish a comparatively smaller and short-term goal. Check all the details about the Commissions and their Recommendations.

List of Important Committees and Commissions in India

Few commissions are provisional, while others are permanent. The temporary commissions in India are formed for one goal only and are terminated once their objective is achieved and their statement is presented to the government. The list of important commissions in India is mentioned below:

The committees in India investigate, legislate, review, and draw attention to any important matter that is referred to them and give advice. Given below is the list of important committees in India.

Various Committees and Their Responsibilities
Name of Committee in India	Purpose
Bimal Jalan Committee	Report on the working of capital market infrastructure institutions (MIIs)
Abhijeet Sen Committee	Framing food policy in the long term
Committee on TRP ratings	To inspect the policies on television rating agencies, directed by Sashi S Vempati.
Athreya Committee	Restructuring of IDBI
Rajesh Pant Expert Committee	To assess the importance of digital management by Data Information Technology Co. Limited, consider breaches of law, and present its recommendations. It Controlled by the National Cyber Security Coordinator
G V Ramakrishna Committee	Disinvestment
Abid Hussain Committee	Small scale industries and Trade Policy Reform
Shivaraman Committee (1979)	Establishment of NABARD
Rajiv Mehrishi Committee	To estimate the impact on the federal economy and monetary equilibrium of waiving of interest and COVID-19-related suspension.
Tarapore Committee	Capital Account Convertibility
Hanumant Rao Committee	Fertilizers
Injeti Srinivas Committee	Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Y B Reddy Committee	Review of Income Tax rebates
Swaminathan Commission (2004)	To find the issues faced by the farmers
Bibek Debroy Committee	Railway restructuring
Sarkaria Commission	Relationship and power balance between the Centre and States
Committee For Analysis of QR Code	To review the prevalent system of QR Codes in India for facilitating digital payments and submit recommendations Governed by Prof. D. B. Pathak
Malegam Committee	Microfinance
Dave Committee	Pension Scheme for Unorganized Sector
Janakiramanan Committee	Securities Transactions
A C Shah Committee	Non-Banking Financial Company
Dharia Committee	Public Distribution System
Rajiv Kumar Committee	Selling of OIL and ONGC fields to private businesses
A Ghosh committee	Malpractices in banks
Ramesh Chand Committee	Niti Aayog Member (Agriculture) suggested linking Sugarcane costs to the sugar rate to keep the industry’s financial stability. To clear the liabilities of the sugarcane farmers.
Deepak Parekh Committee	Financing Infrastructure through the PPP model
Chakravarty Committee (1985)	Monetary policy
Aruna Sundararajan Committee	Telecom sector revival
Company Law Committee (CLC)	To suggest measures to de-clog and improve the functioning of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Headed by Rajesh Verma
Committee by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)	To prepare the professional engineers’ bill.
JJ Irani Committee	Company laws; Formation of the new Companies Act
Narasimhan Committee	Banking Reforms
Lodha committee	To recommend reforms for cricket in India
Arun Goel Committee	To strengthen the Capital Goods (CG) Sector and contribute more actively to the national goal of achieving a USD 5 trillion economy and a USD 1 trillion manufacturing sector
Punchhi Commission	Centre-State links
Suresh Tendulkar Committee	The methodology of estimation of poverty
Committee on Business Responsibility Reporting	To create new BRR structures for listed and unlisted companies. It is guided by Rajesh Verma
Ajit Kumar Committee	Army pay scales
Kelkar Committee (2015)	Evaluating PPP in India and Tax System Reforms
Mckinsey Report	Union of 7 Associate Banks with SBI
Kasturirangan Committee	Draft National Education Policy
Bhagwati Committee	Public Welfare and Unemployment
C Rao Committee	Agricultural guideline
Bhurelal Committee	Increase in Motor Vehicle Tax
SEBI’s advisory committee on mutual funds	Instructs the funds markets controller on issues related to regulation and development of the mutual fund industry. It is Led by Usha Thorat
Justice B. M Shah Committee	Black cash-on-hand
N.N. Vohra Committee	Relations (Nexus) Of Politicians with Criminals
Vasudev Committee	NBFC sector reforms
Y B Reddy Committee	Assessing Of Income Tax Rebates
Kothari Commission	To review all elements of the educational sector
GK Pillai Committee	To decide ceiling rates under the duty reimbursement scheme for exporters
One-Man Committee to Prevent Stubble Burning	To take steps to prevent stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh which is a source of pollution in Delhi-NCR. Directed by Justice Madan B. Lokur
Rangarajan Committee	Computerization Of the Banking Industry and Public Sector Disinvestment
Khusro Committee	Agricultural Credit System
KV Kamath Committee	Setting parameters for Loan Restructuring to undertake a process validation of resolution plans for borrow accounts above a specified threshold
Sushil Modi Committee	To peek into the GST income shortfall confronted by states
Committee on the pandemic risk pool	To manage diverse risks that have been initiated by the Covid-19 pandemic and offer protection in case of a similar crisis in the future. It is Governed by Suresh Mathur
Pradip Shah Committee	To develop an international retail business at the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)
Lokpal Search Committee (Justice Ranjana Desai)	For suggesting Lokpal names
Chandra Shekhar Committee	Venture Capital
P K Mohanty Committee	To review present ownership guidelines and corporate structure for Indian Private Sector Banks
Raja Chelliah Committee	Tax reforms in India
K. Santhanam Committee	Establishment of CVC
Balwantrai Mehta Committee (1957)	Panchayati Raj Institutions
MDAC or Market Data Advisory Committee by SEBI	To suggest appropriate policy for access to securities market data, recognize segment-wise data boundaries, data requirements, and gaps, and recommend data privacy and data access regulations useful to market data. Headed by Madhabi Puri Buch
Vaghul Committee	Money market in India

Ad-Hoc Committee and Commission in India

The purpose of the Ad-Hoc Commissions was to examine the officers’ conduct of the Armed Forces of El Salvador during the war and determine their fitness. The important Ad-Hoc Commissions list is given below:

List of Commissions	Establishment Year	Purpose of Commission in India
Mukherjee Commission	1959	To re-inquire the demise of Subhas Chandra Bose
M.M. Punchhi Commission	2007	To examine center-state relations
Upendra Commission	2004	To probe the alleged rape and murder of Thangjam Manorama Devi
Mandal Commission	1979	To consider seat quotas and reservations for individuals to rectify caste discrimination
Nanavati-Shah Commission	2002	To examine the Godhra incident and the coordinated riots that occurred in 2002
Liberhan Commission	1992	To probe the Babri Masjid demolition
Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities (Ranganath Misra Commission)	2004	To glance into the matters of linguistic and holy minorities in India
States Reorganisation Commission	1953	To suggest the reorganization of state boundaries
Kapur Commission	1966	To examine Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination
Khosla Commission	1970	To re-investigate the demise of Subhas Chandra Bose
Shah Commission	1977	To explore the excesses engaged during the emergency (1975-77)
Phukan Commission	2003	To research into corruption claims in the wake of the Tehelka tapes dispute.
Sarkaria Commission	1983	To study the relations of center-state
Narendran Commission	2000	To analyze the representation of Backward Classes in the State services
Kalelkar Commission	1953	To encourage and motivate society’s deprived areas
Kothari Commission	1964	For educational reforms
Nanavati Commission	2000	To inquire into the anti-Sikh riots of 1984
U.C. Banerjee Commission	2002	To inquire into the Godhra event and the combined riots that happened in 2002
National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution	2000	To suggest changes in electoral laws
Thakkar Commission	1984	To probe the assassination of Indira Gandhi
States Reorganization Commission	1953	To recommend the reorganization of state boundaries

Important Committees and Commissions in India [Permanent]

Following is the complete list of permanent Important Committees and Commissions in India. These commissions and committees in India have been formed to fulfill a specific purpose and they are still working currently towards their goals.

List of Indian Commissions	Purpose of Formulation	Year of Formulation
Atomic Energy Commission of India	Supervising the atomic energy activities in India	1948
Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)	To provide meaningful real income levels to farmers, Assist farmers adopt new technology for increased productivity	1965
National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)	To consider inclusions in and exclusions from the lists of communities notified as backward for job reservations and tenders needful advice to the Central Government on such matters	1993
Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)	To address and look into offenses by Central Government officers, officers of societies, corporations, and local authorities under the Central Government	1964
National Commission on Cattle	To suggest ways to improve cattle conditions in India	2002
National Commission for Women (NCW)	To protect and promote women’s interests in India	1992
Competition Commission of India (CCI)	To enforce ‘The Competition Act, 2002’ pan India	2003
Telecom Commission	To deal with different aspects of telecommunications	1989
National Statistical Commission (NCS)	To alleviate the problems faced by statistical agencies regarding the collection of data	2005
Chief Labour Commissioner	To enforce labor laws and other labor-related issues	1945
Election Commission (ECI)	To manage the election process all over India	1950
Law Commission	To revamp the law to promote justice in society	1834
Finance Commission (FCI)	To define the financial relations between the center and the states	1951
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)	To protect and promote human rights. Also, check State Human Rights Commission	1993
University Grants Commission (UGC)	To provide recognition to universities in India, disburse funds and maintain standards in university education	1956
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)	To protect and develop the condition of STs in India. Also, check National Commission for Scheduled Caste	2004
National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector	To address the issues faced by enterprises in the unorganized sector	2004
National Forest Commission	To review and assess the existing forest policy	2003
Central Information Commission (CIC)	To receive and inquire into complaints from aggrieved persons	2005
Central Water Commission (CWC)	To manage schemes for the control, conservation, and utilization of water resources throughout the country	1945
Commission for Additional Sources of Energy	To formulate and implement policies and programmes for the development of new and renewable energy and also conduct R&D in this area	1981
National Flood Commission (Rashtriya Barh Ayog)	To evolve a coordinated, integrated, and scientific approach to the flood control problems in the country	1976
Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission (JRC)	To maintain liaison to ensure the most effective joint effort in maximizing the benefits from common river systems between India and Bangladesh	1972
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)	To plan, promote, organize, facilitate, and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries in rural areas	1956
Staff Selection Commission (SSC)	To recruit staff for various posts in the Ministries and Departments of the Union Government	1975
Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC)	To make recommendations regarding the public administration system of India	1966
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)	Direct recruitment by selection through interviews, Conduct examinations for an appointment, Appointment of officers on promotion/deputation/ absorption, and more.	1926

Role of Important Committees and Commissions in India

The various committees and commissions in India play a crucial role in the governance, policy formulation, and decision-making processes of the country. The key advantages of Important Committees and Commissions in India are:

• Equilibrium of perspectives
• Multiplicity of opinions
• Allocation of Authority
• Interaction of views
• Better coordination
• Better approval of judgments
• Better communication
• Administration training

Important Committees for UPSC

These Important committees, comprising experts and professionals from diverse fields, are appointed by the government to study and provide recommendations on specific issues of national importance. The study of important committees equips aspirants with a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of the Indian government, the policy-making process, and the collaborative efforts undertaken to address critical challenges. The reports of these committees in India are an important part of the UPSC Polity Syllabus and the economy section as well. It must be covered comprehensively by following the right UPSC study materials, notes, and books.

Important Committees and Commissions in India MCQs

Question: The Justice Verma Committee was constituted in India to: a) Examine the issue of black money in the country b) Investigate corruption allegations against public officials c) Recommend measures to curb sexual violence and enhance safety for women d) Study the impact of climate change on agriculture

Answer: c) Recommend measures to curb sexual violence and enhance safety for women

Question: The Rangarajan Committee was appointed to: a) Suggest reforms in the Indian education system b) Review the functioning of the Reserve Bank of India c) Recommend measures to promote financial inclusion d) Assess the environmental impact of large infrastructure projects

Answer: c) Recommend measures to promote financial inclusion

Question: The Sarkaria Commission was set up to: a) Examine the issue of reservation in educational institutions b) Investigate cases of corruption in the corporate sector c) Study the implementation of the Panchayati Raj system in India d) Review the Centre-State relations in India

Answer: d) Review the Centre-State relations in India

UPSC Notes
Right To Freedom Of Religion Article 25 To 28	Industrial Dispute Act 1947
Digital India	Biodiversity Act 2002
Indo Greek	Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winners In India
India Bangladesh Relations	Narmada Bachao Andolan Nba
Self Respect Movement	Crown Rule In India 1858 1947
Gaganyaan Mission	NABARD