The apex integrity and anti-corruption monitoring body of the Union government, which superintends vigilance administration in central organisations.
- Set up in 1964 on the recommendation of the Santhanam Committee; given statutory status by the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 (after the Supreme Court's directions in the Vineet Narain case, 1998).
- Multi-member body: a Central Vigilance Commissioner (chairperson) and up to two Vigilance Commissioners, appointed by the President for four years or until 65 years.
- Appointed on the recommendation of a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
- Exercises superintendence over the Delhi Special Police Establishment (the anti-corruption wing of the CBI) in offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
- It is an advisory body: it cannot register cases or prosecute, but advises departments and oversees their Chief Vigilance Officers.
The 1964 origin, the Santhanam Committee, statutory status in 2003 and its superintendence over the CBI's corruption work are standard anti-corruption facts.
The CVC superintends the CBI only for Prevention of Corruption Act cases, not all CBI work; it became statutory only in 2003 though it existed from 1964; it is advisory, not a prosecuting agency.
Statutory (2003) anti-corruption watchdog, born of the Santhanam Committee (1964), supervising the CBI's corruption cases.