For how many years, at maximum, can the Comptroller and Auditor General of India hold office?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — C, 6 years. Article 148 of the Constitution provides that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) holds office for a term of six years from the date of assuming office, OR until the age of 65 years, WHICHEVER IS EARLIER. So while the maximum formal term is 6 years, an appointee who is already close to 65 at the time of appointment demits office earlier, on hitting that age ceiling.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) Understates the term fixed by Article 148, which is six years (subject to the age-65 ceiling).  (b) Understates the term — a common mix-up with the tenure of other bodies (e.g. Finance Commission cycles), but Article 148 fixes six years for the CAG.  (d) Overstates the term — Article 148 fixes a maximum of six years (subject to the age-65 ceiling), not seven.

Concept: The CAG's tenure combines a fixed term with an age ceiling — six years from assuming office, or age 65, whichever comes first. His removal process mirrors that of a Supreme Court judge (Article 148(1)): he can be removed only on the same grounds as a Supreme Court judge (proved misbehaviour or incapacity), by an order of the President after an address by each House of Parliament supported by a special majority. This procedural insulation exists because the CAG audits the accounts of the very executive that appoints him, so his independence has to be constitutionally protected.

State PCS 2023 Q28 — Indian Polity PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2023 Q28 — Indian Polity PYQ with Answer