Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) – Indian Polity Notes APSC Exam

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Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)

Polity Notes for APSC, UPSC & State exams

The Constitution of India (Article 148) provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). In 1971, the central government enacted the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (Duties, Powers, and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971. Articles 148 – 151 of the Constitution of India deal with the institution of the CAG of India.

  • He is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department and chief Guardian of Public purse.
  • The CAG is appointed by the President of India by a warrant under his hand and seal. 
  • He holds office for a period of six years or up to the age of 65years, whichever is earlier. 
  • He can resign any time from his office by addressing the resignation letter to the president.  He can also be removed by the president on the basis of a resolution passed to that effect by both the Houses of Parliament with special majority, either on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
  • CAG audits the accounts related to all expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India, Consolidated Fund of each state and UT having a legislative assembly. 
  • CAG audits all expenditure from the Contingency Fund of India and the Public Account of India as well as the Contingency Fund and Public Account of each state. 
  • CAG audits all trading, manufacturing, profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and other subsidiary accounts kept by any department of the Central Government and the state governments. 
  • CAG audits the receipts and expenditure of all bodies and authorities substantially financed from the Central or State revenues; government companies; other corporations and bodies, when so required by related laws.
  • He acts as a guide, friend and philosopher of the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament.
  • The CAG is also the statutory auditor of Government-owned corporations and conducts supplementary audit of government companies in which the Government has an equity share of at least 51 percent or subsidiary companies of existing government companies.
  • The reports of the CAG are laid before the Parliament/Legislatures and are being taken up for discussion by the Public Accounts Committees (PACs) and Committees on Public Undertakings (COPUs), which are special committees in the Parliament of India and the state legislatures.

The CAG is ranked 9th and enjoys the same status as a sitting judge of Supreme Court of India in order of precedence.

G. C. Murmu is the current CAG of India. He assumed office on 8 August 2020. He is the 14th CAG of India.