Parliamentary committees are often described as the engine rooms of Parliament. While televised debates and high-voltage floor discussions dominate public attention, the real, meticulous, and technically demanding work of law-making largely happens away from the spotlight—inside committee rooms.
For students, aspirants, and readers who want to understand how Indian democracy truly functions, parliamentary committees are not an optional topic. They are core to constitutional governance, legislative scrutiny, financial accountability, and executive oversight. Their relevance spans Polity, Governance, Current Affairs, Ethics, and Public Administration, making them indispensable for examinations as well as for informed citizenship.
This article explains parliamentary committees in a systematic, example-driven, and exam-oriented manner, while retaining a journalistic narrative that helps readers connect theory with real parliamentary practice.
What Are Parliamentary Committees?
Definition and Core Idea
A Parliamentary Committee is a group of Members of Parliament (MPs) constituted by either House of Parliament or by the Speaker/Chairman to:
- Examine specific issues in detail
- Scrutinise legislation, policies, and expenditure
- Ensure executive accountability
- Assist Parliament in efficient functioning
Unlike the full House, which works under time constraints and political pressures, committees operate in a smaller, non-partisan, and technically focused environment.
Constitutional Basis
While parliamentary committees are not explicitly mentioned in great detail in the Constitution, their authority flows from:
- Article 105 – Powers and privileges of Parliament
- Article 118 – Parliament’s power to make rules for its procedure
- Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
This flexibility allows Parliament to create committees as per evolving needs.
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Why Parliamentary Committees Are Necessary
Structural Limitations of Parliament
Parliament meets for a limited number of days each year. In that time, it must:
- Debate national policies
- Pass budgets
- Enact legislation
- Hold the executive accountable
This makes line-by-line scrutiny impossible on the floor of the House.
Committees Fill This Gap
Parliamentary committees:
- Allow detailed examination of Bills
- Bring subject-matter expertise into law-making
- Reduce legislative errors
- Promote bipartisan consensus
- Improve policy quality
In mature democracies, committee systems are the backbone of parliamentary governance. India is no exception.
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Broad Classification of Parliamentary Committees
Parliamentary committees in India are broadly classified into:
- Standing Committees
- Ad Hoc Committees
This classification is crucial from an exam perspective.
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Standing Committees of Parliament
Standing committees are permanent committees constituted every year or periodically. They work continuously and have a defined mandate.
Key Characteristics of Standing Committees
- Permanent in nature
- Reconstituted annually or periodically
- Deal with recurring matters
- Provide continuity in parliamentary oversight
Standing committees are further divided into several categories.
Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)
Introduction
Departmentally Related Standing Committees were introduced in 1993 to strengthen parliamentary oversight over the executive.
There are 24 DRSCs, each linked to one or more ministries.
Composition
- 31 members (Lok Sabha – 21, Rajya Sabha – 10)
- Members are nominated by the Speaker and Chairman
- Ministers are not allowed to be members
Major Functions
DRSCs examine:
- Bills referred to them
- Demands for Grants of ministries
- Annual reports of ministries
- Long-term policy documents
Example
If the government introduces a Data Protection Bill, it may be referred to the Standing Committee on Information Technology, which examines:
- Privacy implications
- International best practices
- Stakeholder feedback
- Implementation challenges
Exam Relevance
- Frequently asked in UPSC Prelims and Mains
- Used as examples in governance and polity answers
- Helps explain legislative scrutiny mechanisms
Financial Standing Committees
Financial committees play a critical role in ensuring financial accountability, a cornerstone of parliamentary democracy.
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Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
Overview
- Oldest parliamentary committee
- First constituted in 1921
- Examines the appropriation of public funds
Composition
- 22 members (15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha)
- Chairperson is traditionally from the Opposition
Functions
- Examines CAG reports
- Checks whether money was spent as authorised by Parliament
- Detects financial irregularities and waste
Example
If CAG reports expose irregularities in a highway project, PAC summons:
- Ministry officials
- Implementing agencies
- Seeks explanations and corrective measures
Exam Angle
- Classic topic for questions on financial accountability
- Used in answers on checks and balances
Estimates Committee
Composition
- 30 members from Lok Sabha only
Functions
- Examines estimates included in the budget
- Suggests economies in expenditure
- Recommends efficiency improvements
Unlike PAC, it does not deal with CAG reports.
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Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU)
Focus
- Examines functioning of Public Sector Enterprises
- Evaluates management efficiency and financial performance
Other Important Standing Committees
Committee on Subordinate Legislation
- Examines rules and regulations framed under laws
- Ensures they do not exceed delegated authority
Committee on Government Assurances
- Ensures promises made by ministers on the floor of the House are fulfilled
Committee on Petitions
- Examines public grievances submitted to Parliament
Ad Hoc Committees of Parliament
Ad hoc committees are temporary committees constituted for a specific purpose.
Key Features
- Created for a specific task
- Dissolved after completing work
- Highly issue-specific
Select Committees
- Examine specific Bills
- Can be House-specific
Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs)
- Comprise members from both Houses
- Often formed for politically or financially sensitive issues
Examples of JPCs
- JPC on 2G Spectrum Allocation
- JPC on Bofors Deal
- JPC on Data Protection Bill
Exam Relevance
- Frequently mentioned in current affairs
- Used in Mains answers to show institutional responses to scandals
How Parliamentary Committees Function
Procedure
- Reference of subject/Bill
- Call for written memoranda
- Oral evidence from stakeholders
- Clause-by-clause examination
- Report preparation
- Submission to Parliament
Confidential Nature
Committee proceedings are not open to the public, allowing:
- Free discussion
- Reduced political grandstanding
- Technical depth
Importance of Parliamentary Committees in Law-Making
Improving Legislative Quality
Committees help identify:
- Drafting errors
- Implementation gaps
- Constitutional inconsistencies
Promoting Consensus
Many contentious Bills see cross-party agreement in committees, even if the House debate remains adversarial.
Parliamentary Committees and Executive Accountability
Committees act as:
- Watchdogs over ministries
- Platforms for questioning bureaucrats
- Instruments of transparency
They ensure that the executive does not function unchecked between elections.
Parliamentary Committees and Federalism
Committees often invite:
- State governments
- Experts from different regions
- Civil society representatives
This strengthens cooperative federalism.
Criticism and Challenges
Despite their importance, parliamentary committees face challenges:
Declining Reference of Bills
In recent years, fewer Bills are being referred to committees, raising concerns about legislative scrutiny.
Time Constraints
- Short timelines reduce depth of examination
Non-Binding Recommendations
Committee reports are advisory, not mandatory.
Parliamentary Committees in Current Affairs
Committees regularly appear in news due to:
- Scrutiny of major Bills
- Investigation of scams
- Examination of policy failures
Understanding their role helps readers decode political developments more accurately.
Parliamentary Committees and the Future of Indian Democracy
As governance becomes more complex, the relevance of parliamentary committees will only grow. Strengthening committee culture is essential for:
- Better laws
- Stronger accountability
- More inclusive policymaking
A Parliament that invests in its committees invests in democratic resilience.
Conclusion
Parliamentary committees may operate behind closed doors, but their impact is felt across the democratic system. They embody the principle that democracy is not just about numbers, but about scrutiny, reason, and responsibility.
For readers of The Vue Times, understanding parliamentary committees is not merely about exams or headlines—it is about appreciating the institutional craftsmanship that sustains Indian democracy.
In an age of rapid legislation and complex governance challenges, parliamentary committees remain one of Parliament’s most powerful yet understated instruments.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are parliamentary committees in India?
Parliamentary committees are small groups of Members of Parliament formed to examine legislation, government policies, and public expenditure in detail. They support Parliament by ensuring effective scrutiny, accountability, and informed law-making.
2.How are standing committees different from ad hoc committees?
Standing committees are permanent bodies that function continuously and deal with recurring subjects such as finance, ministries, and rules. Ad hoc committees are temporary and are created for a specific purpose, such as examining a particular Bill or investigating a major issue.
3.Why are parliamentary committees important for governance?
Parliamentary committees improve governance by examining policies beyond political debate, questioning executive actions, consulting experts, and recommending practical improvements. They strengthen transparency, accountability, and legislative quality.
4.Which parliamentary committee is responsible for financial accountability?
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) plays the most important role in financial accountability. It examines government expenditure based on reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General and ensures that public money is used as approved by Parliament.
5.Why are parliamentary committees important for competitive exams?
Parliamentary committees are frequently asked in civil services and state-level examinations because they link constitutional principles with real governance. Understanding their structure and role helps in prelims, mains answer writing, and interview discussions.
