People's Commissariat

A People's Commissariat was a government department in the former Soviet Union, similar to a ministry in other countries. It was responsible for specific areas such as education, health, or defense, and was led by a People's Commissar. The term reflects the Soviet emphasis on collective governance and worker involvement. These commissariats managed policy implementation, administration, and public services within their sectors, playing a key role in the centralized planning and control characteristic of the Soviet system. The term was used primarily from 1917 to 1946 before being replaced by ministries in the later Soviet government structure.