UPSC CSE Prelims
Statutory Bodies Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ Option 2 (Only two)

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) regulates mainly the downstream petroleum and natural gas sector. It does not regulate upstream activities such as exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas.

❌ Activity I: Production of crude oil – Not Regulated by PNGRB

Production of crude oil is an upstream activity regulated by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons.

✅ Activity II: Refining, storage and distribution of petroleum products – Regulated

PNGRB regulates aspects of storage, transportation, distribution, and common carrier access in the downstream sector.

✅ Activity III: Marketing and sale of petroleum products – Regulated

PNGRB authorizes entities for marketing notified petroleum products and natural gas and promotes fair competition.

❌ Activity IV: Production of natural gas – Not Regulated by PNGRB

Like crude oil production, natural gas production is an upstream activity and falls outside PNGRB's regulatory jurisdiction.

Therefore, only II and III fall under PNGRB regulation.

Short Notes: Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)

• PNGRB was established under the PNGRB Act, 2006.

• It regulates the downstream petroleum and natural gas sector.

• It ensures fair competition in petroleum and natural gas markets.

• It regulates pipelines, city gas distribution networks, storage, and transportation.

• It does not regulate exploration or production of crude oil and natural gas.

• Upstream activities are overseen by the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) and the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.

• PNGRB helps protect consumer interests and promotes investment in energy infrastructure.

Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ Option 4 (None)

This question tests knowledge of the ministries under which various statutory and autonomous bodies function. All three pairs are incorrectly matched.

❌ Pair I is Incorrect: National Automotive Board functions under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, not the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

❌ Pair II is Incorrect: Coir Board functions under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), not the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

❌ Pair III is Incorrect: National Centre for Trade Information is associated with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not the Ministry of MSME.

Short Notes: Important Boards and Organizations

• National Automotive Board (NAB) functions under the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

• NAB supports implementation of India's automotive policies and initiatives.

• Coir Board was established under the Coir Industry Act, 1953.

• Coir Board operates under the Ministry of MSME.

• The National Centre for Trade Information (NCTI) is linked to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• NCTI facilitates access to trade-related information and export promotion.

• UPSC frequently asks questions on organizations and their parent ministries.

Detailed Explanation:

Correct Answer: ✅ A. 1, 2 and 3 only

The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. After the 2002 Amendment, the Council's composition was expanded to include the Governors, Chief Ministers of all constituent states, and three members nominated by the President of India. The Union Home Minister was not included as a statutory member under the amendment.

✅ Statement 1 is Correct: Governors of all constituent North-Eastern States are members of the NEC.

✅ Statement 2 is Correct: Chief Ministers of all constituent States are members of the NEC.

✅ Statement 3 is Correct: Three members nominated by the President are included after the 2002 amendment.

❌ Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Home Minister is not a statutory member under the 2002 amendment provisions.

Short Notes: North Eastern Council (NEC)

• NEC was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971.

• It is the regional planning and advisory body for the North-East.

• NEC covers 8 North-Eastern States: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

• The 2002 Amendment strengthened the Council's role in regional development.

• Members include Governors, Chief Ministers, and three Presidential nominees.

• NEC functions under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).

• It supports projects related to connectivity, infrastructure, health, education, and economic development.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — Only one

Among the four bodies mentioned, only the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is a constitutional body, having been granted constitutional status through the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018, which inserted Article 338B into the Constitution. The remaining three bodies—NHRC, National Law Commission, and NCDRC—are either statutory or executive bodies.

✅ National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) – Constitutional Body: Established under Article 338B by the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018.

❌ National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) – Not Constitutional: It is a statutory body created under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

❌ National Law Commission – Not Constitutional: It is an executive body formed by a Government of India executive order, not by statute or constitutional provision.

❌ National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) – Not Constitutional: It is a statutory body established under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (now governed by the Consumer Protection Act, 2019).

📝 Short Notes: Constitutional vs Statutory vs Executive Bodies

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — 1 and 4

This question tests knowledge about the Tea Board of India's constitutional status, administrative control, and organizational structure. Statements 1 and 4 are correct, while statements 2 and 3 contain factual errors regarding its ministry affiliation and headquarters location.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Tea Board of India is a statutory body established under the Tea Act, 1953 to regulate the tea industry and promote tea exports.

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Tea Board functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Tea Board's Head Office is located in Kolkata, West Bengal, not Bengaluru.

✅ Statement 4 – Correct: The Tea Board maintains overseas offices in Dubai, Moscow, Hamburg, London, and New York to promote Indian tea globally.

📝 Short Notes: Tea Board of India

• Establishment: Statutory body constituted under the Tea Act, 1953
• Administrative Control: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India
• Headquarters: Kolkata, West Bengal
• Regional Offices: Seven regional offices across major tea-growing areas in India
• Overseas Offices: Dubai, Moscow, Hamburg, London, and New York
• Main Functions: Regulation of tea cultivation, processing, trade; promotion of tea exports; quality control; research and development; welfare of tea workers
• Composition: Chairman and members representing tea producers, manufacturers, traders, consumers, and government

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — 1 only

The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 consolidated multiple food-related laws including the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, creating a unified regulatory framework for food safety in India. However, FSSAI operates as an autonomous statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with its own Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, not under the Director General of Health Services.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, establishing FSSAI as the nodal regulatory body for food safety.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: FSSAI is an autonomous statutory authority with its own Chairperson and CEO, not under the charge of the Director General of Health Services, though it functions under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

📝 Short Notes: Food Safety Regulatory Framework in India