CENTRAL VIGILANCE COMMISSION (CVC)

CONTEXT
• The Central Vigilance Commission is the apex body for preventing corruption in the central government setup.  
• Established in 1964 through an executive resolution based on recommendations of the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption.  
• Initially non-statutory; later granted statutory status through the CVC Act, 2003.  
• Independent body responsible only to Parliament; not controlled by any Ministry or Department.  
• Acts as the designated authority for receiving complaints under the Whistle Blowers Protection mechanism (PIDPI Resolution).

COMPOSITION
• Central Vigilance Commissioner (Chairperson).  
• Not more than two Vigilance Commissioners (Members).

APPOINTMENT PROCESS
• Appointed by the President through warrant under his hand and seal.  
• Recommendation made by a high-level committee comprising:  
  – Prime Minister (Chairperson)  
  – Union Home Minister  
  – Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha  

TENURE & SERVICE CONDITIONS
• Tenure: 4 years or till 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.  
• Not eligible for further government employment (Central or State).  
• Salary & service conditions:  
  – CVC equal to UPSC Chairman.  
  – Vigilance Commissioners equal to UPSC Members.  
  – Cannot be varied to their disadvantage.

REMOVAL
• President may remove on the following grounds:  
  – Insolvency  
  – Conviction involving moral turpitude  
  – Holding office of profit  
  – Financial or personal interest affecting duties  
  – Proven misbehaviour or incapacity (President must refer to Supreme Court for enquiry)  

FUNCTIONS & POWERS
1. **Inquiries & Investigations**  
   • CVC conducts or causes inquiry into complaints involving corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.  
   • Jurisdiction includes:  
     – Members of All India Services  
     – Group A Central Government officers  
     – Senior officers in PSUs, Banks, RBI, NABARD, SIDBI, LIC, General Insurance companies  
     – Senior officers of societies & local bodies controlled by Central Government  

2. **Superintendence over CBI (DSPE)**  
   • Supervises investigations under the Prevention of Corruption Act.  
   • Reviews progress and gives directions to CBI.  
   • Ensures impartial functioning of CBI.  
   • Cannot direct CBI to initiate investigation against Joint Secretary level and above without departmental approval (struck down by SC in 2014).

3. **Advisory Role**  
   • Central Government consults CVC on vigilance, disciplinary matters, procedures, and reforms.  
   • Advice is persuasive but not binding.

4. **Complaint Redressal & Whistle Blower Protection**  
   • Designated authority to receive complaints under PIDPI (Whistleblower) mechanism.  
   • Can act against frivolous or vexatious complainants.

5. **Oversight & Reporting**  
   • Submits annual report to the President; laid before both Houses of Parliament.  
   • Can call for reports, direct corrective measures, and monitor compliance.

6. **Appointment Roles**  
   • CVC chairs committees for selection of:  
     – Director of Enforcement  
     – Director of Prosecution (CBI)  
     – Officers of SP level and above in CBI (except Director)  

JURISDICTION & COVERAGE
CVC supervises vigilance over senior-level officials across:  
• All India Services serving under Union Government.  
• Group A Central Government officers.  
• PSU senior officers (Schedule A–D companies).  
• Financial institutions (RBI, NABARD, SIDBI).  
• Public sector banks (Scale V & above).  
• Insurance sector (LIC & General Insurance – senior managers).  
• Autonomous bodies/societies funded or controlled by Central Government.

WORKING SYSTEM
• Headquarters: New Delhi.  
• Power to regulate its own procedure.  
• Inquiries have judicial character with civil court powers:  
  – Summoning and enforcing attendance  
  – Receiving evidence on affidavit  
  – Requisitioning public records  
  – Examining witnesses and documents  
• Advises government on further action after inquiry.  
• If government disagrees, reasons must be recorded in writing.

LIMITATIONS OF CVC
• Advisory body only – recommendations not binding on departments.  
• Limited staff strength (around 299) despite vast jurisdiction.  
• Cannot register criminal cases (CBI must file cases).  
• Cannot independently order investigation of high-level officers (now altered due to SC judgement).  
• Administrative control of CBI lies with DoPT, limiting CVC’s influence.  
• Appointment process indirectly influenced by government since candidate pool is prepared by the executive.

INITIATIVES OF CVC
• National Anti-Corruption Strategy.  
• Technology-driven vigilance: e-procurement, e-office reforms.  
• Integrity in Public Procurement guidelines.  
• Whistle Blower protection mechanism.  
• Vigilance Awareness Week (celebrated annually in last week of October; coincides with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary).  
• Improving vigilance standards & training programmes.  
• International cooperation on anti-corruption practices.  
• Framework for Modern Preventive Vigilance.  
• Computerisation and transparency initiatives.

SIGNIFICANCE OF CVC
• Strengthens integrity in administration.  
• Enhances accountability and transparency.  
• Acts as a watchdog against corruption in the central government structure.  
• Supports discipline, ethical behaviour, and efficiency in governance.

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Subject: Polity

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