The Central Vigilance Commission is the apex integrity institution of the Govt. of India, mandated to combat corruption and ensure integrity in administration and public services. The Commission’s focus on creating an efficient vigilance administration across organizations, with an aim towards transparent, ethical, objective, accountable and responsive system of governance, would ensure effective anti-corruption and preventive measures, thereby eliminating the possibility of indulging in corrupt and unfair practices by government servants. The mandate of the Commission is laid down in the CVC Act, 2003.

The Commission endeavours to achieve its objectives by exercising superintendence over the vigilance administrations of the various Central Government Ministries, Departments and Organisations of the Central Government, inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made on a reference by the Central Government, inquire or cause an inquiry or investigation to be made into any complaint received against any official under its jurisdiction, tender advice to the Central Government and its organisations on such matters as may be referred by them, call for the report of inquiry undertaken by any agency on a reference made by the Commission and to tender advice as to the further course of action.

The Commission also conducts preliminary inquiry into the complaints referred by Lokpal in respect of Gr. A, B, C& D officials. The Commission may also cause an inquiry into complaints received under the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers’ (PIDPI) Resolution and recommend appropriate action thereof.

The Commission further exercises superintendence over the functioning of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI) insofar as it relates to the investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; or offences under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for certain categories of public servants. It also gives directions to the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI) for superintendence insofar as it relates to the investigation of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The Commission also reviews the progress of investigations conducted by the Delhi Special Police Establishment (CBI) into offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 or an offence under the Code of Criminal Procedure and review the progress of the applications pending with the competent authorities for sanction of prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The appointment of the officers to the posts of the level of Deputy Director and above (including the Director) in the Directorate of Enforcement is recommended by a committee under the chairpersonship of Central Vigilance Commissioner and with Vigilance Commissioner and other officers of Government of India as members.

Further, the appointment of officers to the posts of the level of SP and above in the CBI (except Director, CBI) is recommended by a committee under the chairpersonship of Central Vigilance Commissioner and with Vigilance Commissioner and other officers of Government of India as members.