📘 Fact Sheet: Important Commissions & Committees

Gorwala Committee

1951

Public Administration Reforms

Recommendations

Decentralization, strengthening local bodies, independent recruitment, merit-based orientation, accountability mechanisms.

Fazl Ali Commission (States Reorganisation Commission)

1953

Linguistic Reorganisation of States

Recommendations

Reorganisation of states on linguistic basis; Members: K. M. Panikkar, H. N. Kunzru.

Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

1957

Community Development Programme

Recommendations

Recommended 3-tier Panchayati Raj System.

Santhanam Committee

1964

Anti-Corruption

Recommendations

Recommended creation of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in 1964.

Kothari Commission

1964-66

Education Policy

Recommendations

Introduced 10+2+3 pattern, neighbourhood schools, women’s education, Indian Education Service.

Ashok Mehta Committee

1977

Panchayati Raj Reforms

Recommendations

Two-tier Panchayati Raj system; stronger district-level planning.

Mandal Commission

1979 (report in 1980)

Backward Classes

Recommendations

27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs and educational institutions.

Sarkaria Commission

1983

Centre-State Relations

Recommendations

Balance between Centre & State powers, strengthening federalism.

Thakkar Commission

1984

Indira Gandhi Assassination Inquiry

Recommendations

Enquired into lapses in security arrangements.

Punchhi Commission

2007

Centre-State Relations

Recommendations

Reforms in governor’s role, emergency provisions, inter-state council strengthening.

Ram Nath Kovind Committee

2010

Simultaneous Elections

Recommendations

Suggested exploring feasibility of One Nation, One Election.

Committee on One Nation One Election (headed by Ram Nath Kovind)

2023

Election Synchronization

Recommendations

Proposed framework for holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.