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UPSC Notes

Central Empowered Committee (CEC)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Understanding the role of specialized bodies created by the judiciary to enforce environmental governance is vital for UPSC. The CEC highlights judicial activism, the mechanisms for environmental protection, and the challenges in implementing environmental laws in India.

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) is an ad-hoc body constituted by the Supreme Court of India to monitor and ensure compliance with its orders and various environmental laws, particularly concerning forests and wildlife. It plays a crucial role in investigating environmental violations, submitting reports, and making recommendations to the Court.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Constitution

Constituted by the Supreme Court of India as an ad-hoc body.

Mandate

Monitors implementation of environmental laws and Supreme Court orders related to forests and wildlife.

Functions

Investigates environmental violations, conducts surveys, and submits detailed reports to the Supreme Court.

Impact

Its recommendations often guide the Supreme Court's judgments and directives in environmental cases.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaJudiciary & Judicial Review
Conceptual areaConstitutional & Statutory Bodies

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Supreme Court of IndiaCreator, recipient of reports, decision-maker based on recommendations
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Ad-hoc body formed by the Supreme Court of India.
  • Monitors compliance with environmental laws and court orders.
  • Investigates violations and submits reports to the SC.
  • Provides expert recommendations influencing environmental judgments.
  • Crucial for environmental governance and judicial oversight.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — The CEC is an ad-hoc body constituted by the Supreme Court, not a permanent statutory body established by an Act of Parliament, nor a constitutional body.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2019Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2019Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2016Factual recall, Policy measures

‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to -

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2015Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2014Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Judiciary & Judicial ReviewConstitutional & Statutory Bodies
Prelims 2014· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

Open question
Prelims 2015· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the

Open question
Prelims 2016· Factual recall, Policy measures

‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to -

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

Open question

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). ...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

Open question

Tamil Nadu’s encroachment problem

20 Aug 2026 · The CEC is an ad-hoc body formed by the Supreme Court to monitor environmental law compliance, investigate violations, and provide expert recommendations, significantly influencing environmental jurisprudence and governance in India.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Central Empowered Committee (CEC)

Often confused with

Judicial Review and Role of Supreme Court

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Central Empowered Committee (CEC) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Central Empowered Committee (CEC)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

2018·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements: 1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government. 2. When...

2022·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. 36% of India’s districts are classified as “overexploited” or critical” by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). ...

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participati...

2019·Environment & Ecology
Solve

‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to -

2016·Environment & Ecology
Solve

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the

2015·Science & Technology
Solve

Consider the following statements : 1. Under the Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the we...

2019·Environment & Ecology
Solve

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