Comptroller and Auditor General of India — Constitutional Provisions, Role and Responsibility
What is Comptroller and Auditor General of India — Constitutional Provisions, Role and Responsibility?
An official who checks the financial accounts of public authorities.
Key points
- Understand the constitutional basis of the CAG.
- Identify the CAG's powers and functions.
- Recognize the CAG's role in public financial accountability.
- Analyze the significance of CAG reports.
Common exam trap
Confusing CAG's role with that of the Finance Ministry or RBI.
Definitions
- Term
Comptroller
- Meaning
An official who checks the financial accounts of public authorities.
- Term
Auditor General
- Meaning
A high-ranking official responsible for auditing government accounts.
- Term
Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
- Meaning
A parliamentary committee that examines the accounts of the government and the reports of the CAG.
- Term
Impeachment
- Meaning
A formal process by which a public official is accused of misconduct and may be removed from office.
Learning objectives
Understand the constitutional basis of the CAG.
Identify the CAG's powers and functions.
Recognize the CAG's role in public financial accountability.
Analyze the significance of CAG reports.
Prerequisites
Basic understanding of the Indian Constitution.
Knowledge of government budgeting and public finance concepts.
Familiarity with parliamentary procedures.
Common mistakes
Confusing CAG's role with that of the Finance Ministry or RBI.
Underestimating the significance of audit reports.
Assuming CAG has punitive powers; it only reports.
Keywords
CAG
Comptroller and Auditor General
Indian Constitution
Public Finance
Audit
Accountability
Transparency
Parliament
PAC
COPU
Article 148
Practice preview
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India can be removed from office in the same manner as a:…
medium
Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India?…
easy
Who appoints the Comptroller and Auditor General of India?…
easy