Consider the following statement with respect to the comptroller and Auditor General of India I. He shall only be removed from office in like manner and on the like ground as a judge of the Supreme Court. II. He shall not be eligible for further office either under the Government of India or under the Government of any State after he has ceased to hold his office. Which of the statement given above is/are correct?

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is a constitutional authority established under Article 148. To ensure independence, the Constitution provides the CAG with security of tenure. Statement I is correct because the CAG can only be removed from office by the President in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court (misbehavior or incapacity) [1]. Statement II is also correct as the Constitution explicitly bars the CAG from holding any further office under the Government of India or any State government after retirement to prevent executive influence [1]. While the CAG acts as the guardian of the public purse , the role in India is primarily that of an Auditor General rather than a Comptroller, as the office lacks control over the actual withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund [2].

Sources

1. [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 52: Comptroller and Auditor General of India > INDEPENDENCE > p. 444
2. [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 52: Comptroller and Auditor General of India > ROLE > p. 447