The following list summarises the key committees and commissions discussed in the video “Important Committees and Commissions in India” by Jeet Rana GS.
I. Pre-Independence & British Era
- Madan Mohan Malviya Committee (1919): Investigated the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (Indian side)
- Hunter Committee (1919): Investigated the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (British side)
- Muddiman Committee (1920): Examined the working of the Diarchy system under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
- Hilton Young Commission (1926): Recommended the formation of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
II. State Reorganisation & Language
- S.K. Dhar Commission (1948): Evaluated reorganisation of states on a linguistic basis (initially rejected it)
- JVP Committee (1948): Included Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Pattabhi Sitaramayya; also rejected linguistic states
- Fazal Ali Commission (1953): Recommended the reorganisation of states on a linguistic basis, leading to 14 states and 6 UTs
- B.G. Kher Commission (1955): First Official Language Commission; promoted Hindi
III. Panchayati Raj (Rural Governance)
- Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957): Recommended a three-tier structure (Village, Block, District)
- Ashok Mehta Committee (1977): Recommended a two-tier structure (Mandal and District)
- G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985): Recommended a four-tier structure
- L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986): Recommended constitutional status for Panchayats
- P.K. Thungon Committee (1988): Influenced the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments
IV. Economic & Social Welfare
- Kaka Kalelkar Commission (1953): First Backwards Classes (OBC) Commission
- Mandal Commission (1979): Second OBC Commission; recommended 27% reservation
- Lakdawala Committee (1989): Focused on poverty line estimation using calorie-based norms
- Narasimhan Committee (1991/1998): Major reforms in the banking sector
- Raja Chelliah Committee (1991): Recommended tax reforms (basis for GST)
- Suresh Tendulkar Committee (2005): Revised methodology for poverty estimation based on income
V. Security, Law & Administration
- K. Santhanam Committee (1962): Recommended the creation of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and CBI
- Kothari Commission (1964): Recommended the 10+2+3 education structure
- Kapur Committee (1966): Investigated the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi
- Sarkaria Commission (1983): Key commission on Centre-State relations
- Vohra Committee (1993): Investigated the “criminalisation of politics”
- Nanavati-Mehta Commission (2002): Probed the Godhra train incident and the Gujarat riots
