The Election Commission of India
The constitutional body that runs elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President.
What the paper can ask
- It was set up in 1950 and the anniversary of its founding is celebrated as National Voters' Day (first held in 2011).
- The Chief Election Commissioner serves up to six years but must retire at 65; Election Commissioners can be removed only on the CEC's recommendation.
- A 2023 Act gives the appointment to the President on the advice of a panel of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union minister.
- Local body elections are run by State Election Commissions, not the ECI.
- Current CEC: Gyanesh Kumar, with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Why exams ask
Setters ask its Article, its foundation date, its first chief, when it became three-member and who appoints the commissioners.
The full story
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a permanent constitutional body that supervises, directs and controls elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state legislative assemblies and councils, and the offices of President and Vice-President. It began as a one-member body and today has a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. It does not run panchayat and municipal elections; separate State Election Commissions do that.
In the news
- Election Commission announces Special Summary Revision of rolls in six states and UTs 5 Nov
- Explainer: how the Election Commission became a three-member body in 1993 11 Oct
- Prakash Rajpurohit appointed Deputy Election Commissioner 10 Oct
- Supreme Court two-judge bench refers 2023 Election Commissioner Act challenge to CJI 23 Sep
Test yourself
1.Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?
Correct. Sukumar Sen, ICS, was appointed in March 1950 as India's first Chief Election Commissioner and ran the 1951-52 and 1957 general elections.
Not quite. Sukumar Sen, ICS, was appointed in March 1950 as India's first Chief Election Commissioner and ran the 1951-52 and 1957 general elections. It goes into your error book.
2.Under which Article of the Constitution of India does the Election Commission function?
Correct. Article 324 vests superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission.
Not quite. Article 324 vests superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission. It goes into your error book.
3.Consider the following statements: 1. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in the manner of a Supreme Court judge. 2. The other Election Commissioners can be removed by the President on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner. Which of the statements is/are correct?
Correct. Article 324(5): the CEC is removable only like a Supreme Court judge, and other Election Commissioners cannot be removed except on the CEC's recommendation.
Not quite. Article 324(5): the CEC is removable only like a Supreme Court judge, and other Election Commissioners cannot be removed except on the CEC's recommendation. It goes into your error book.