BharatNotes Statutory
adjectiveUsage in a UPSC answer
The Comptroller and Auditor-General derives its independence not from executive goodwill but from a statutory mandate rooted in the Constitution, which insulates the auditor from the very government whose accounts it scrutinises.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
statute (n), statutes (n pl), statutory (adj), statutorily (adv), statute-barred (adj)
Root
Latin statūtōrius; Latin statūtum = decree; statuere = to set up, establish; -ory = adjectival suffix
Etymology
From Latin statūtōrius, from statūtum ("something set up, a decree"), past participle of statuere ("to set up, establish").
Memory Hook
"Statutory" hides "statute" — if a rule stands written in a statute (from Latin stare, "to stand"), it is statutory; it stands firm in law, not in mere custom.
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
Created or governed by an Act of the legislature. The three-way classification of public bodies by source of authority is directly examinable and is regularly confused. A constitutional body is established by the Constitution itself, so its existence, powers and the tenure of its members can be altered only by constitutional amendment, and the Election Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Union Public Service Commission and the Finance Commission belong here. A statutory body is created by ordinary legislation and may therefore be altered or abolished by ordinary legislation, which covers the National Human Rights Commission, SEBI, TRAI, the National Green Tribunal and the Lokpal. An executive or non-statutory body rests on a government resolution alone and can be reconstituted or wound up by executive decision, NITI Aayog being the standard example. The practical significance is the degree of insulation each enjoys, which descends in exactly that order.
Don’t Confuse It With
A constitutional body is established by the Constitution and alterable only by amendment; a statutory body is created by ordinary legislation and alterable by it; and an executive body rests on a government resolution alone. The Comptroller and Auditor General is a constitutional authority under Article 148 whose powers and service conditions are then regulated by the CAG (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971, so calling the office itself statutory is inaccurate. NITI Aayog is executive, having been created by a Cabinet resolution rather than by statute.
Hindi Meaning
सांविधिक (sānvidhik) for statutory; संवैधानिक (sanvaidhānik) for constitutional.
Common Questions
- What is the difference between a constitutional and a statutory body?
- A constitutional body is established by the Constitution and can be changed only by amendment, while a statutory body is created by ordinary legislation and can be altered or abolished by the same means.
- Is the CAG a statutory body?
- No. The CAG is a constitutional authority established under Article 148, though its powers and conditions of service are regulated by an Act of Parliament.
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Prelims 2025 — Banking
- Prelims 2024 — Disaster Management
- Prelims 2021 — Disaster Management
- Prelims 2019 — Banking
- Prelims 2016 — Internal Security
- Mains 2022 · GS2 · 10 marks — Indian Polity
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Statutory” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
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