Learn about the Central Vigilance Commission, its functions, challenges, and reforms aimed at combating corruption in India's governance system.
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is India’s apex anti-corruption body, established in 1964 to combat corruption in central government institutions. It gained statutory status through the Central Vigilance Commission Act of 2003, making it an autonomous authority free from executive control. The Central Vigilance Commission monitors vigilance activities, advises government organizations, and promotes transparency and integrity in administration.

The Central Vigilance Commission acts as an advisor to central government departments on vigilance-related matters. It supervises vigilance activities and ensures regular monitoring and timely resolution of corruption cases.
Upon reference from the central government, the Central Vigilance Commission conducts inquiries into alleged corruption cases. It reviews the investigation progress made by the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DPSE) under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The Central Vigilance Commission publishes lists of officials against whom it recommends punitive actions. It brings transparency by reporting on system failures, ignored recommendations, and preventive strategies in its Annual Report.
The Commission ensures that investigations under the Prevention of Corruption Act are progressing efficiently and that necessary follow-ups are made for logical closure.

The Central Vigilance Commission has introduced several reforms and initiatives to enhance vigilance operations:
Despite its pivotal role, the Central Vigilance Commission only functions as an advisory body. It lacks powers to register criminal cases independently, relying instead on the CBI and other enforcement agencies.
The Central Vigilance Commission struggles with a shortage of staff and resources, limiting its capacity to address the high volume of complaints effectively.
Although autonomous on paper, appointments to the Central Vigilance Commission remain indirectly under government control, raising concerns about impartiality and credibility.
There are often delays in investigating complaints and submitting reports, which weakens public trust in the Commission’s efficiency.
The Central Vigilance Commission has shown improvements in reducing the backlog of disciplinary matters and streamlining the complaint-handling process. The move to digitize the complaint system and ensure transparency in updates is a step forward in citizen-centric governance.
The Central Vigilance Commission must implement measures to fast-track the processing and finalization of reports.
India’s fast-paced economic growth brings new challenges in governance, making the role of the Central Vigilance Commission more vital than ever. A robust, transparent, and fully empowered Central Vigilance Commission is essential to combat corruption, ensure accountability, and maintain public trust in the system.
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