Central Vigilance Commission

Summary

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) was established under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 (Act No. 45 of 2003) as the apex body for anti-corruption oversight in the central government. The Central Vigilance Commissioner and up to two Vigilance Commissioners are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a high-power committee comprising the Prime Minister (Chair), Minister of Home Affairs, and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha; they serve for a single 4-year term or until age 65, whichever is earlier, and are removable only for cause following a Supreme Court inquiry. The CVC has three core functions: it supervises the activities of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) insofar as they relate to vigilance matters; it exercises superintendence over the functioning of the Departmental Anti-Corruption Bureaux; and it advises and assists central government ministries and organisations on vigilance administration. The CVC is an advisory and supervisory body and does not itself prosecute cases or directly compel testimony. Annual reports are presented to the President and laid before Parliament.