Why Does Parliament Need Committees?

Parliament performs legislative, financial, deliberative and oversight functions. However, the Houses cannot examine every Bill, policy, budgetary proposal and administrative issue in complete detail during plenary sittings.

Parliamentary Committees provide a smaller, specialised forum for detailed scrutiny. They allow members to examine evidence, question officials and prepare reports.

What Makes a Committee Parliamentary?

A Parliamentary Committee ordinarily:

• Is appointed or elected by a House or nominated by its Presiding Officer.
• Works under the direction of the Speaker or Chairman concerned.
• Submits its report to the House or the relevant Presiding Officer.
• Receives secretarial support from the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

Are Parliamentary Committees Constitutional Bodies?

The Constitution recognises parliamentary committees in various contexts, but does not prescribe the detailed composition, tenure and functions of the committee system as a whole.

Those arrangements are principally governed by the rules and directions of the Houses.

Standing and Ad Hoc Committees

Standing Committees

Standing Committees are continuing committees, although their membership may be renewed annually or periodically.

They are broadly classified according to their functions.

Ad Hoc Committees

Ad Hoc Committees are generally established for a specified task and cease after completing their mandate.

They may examine a particular Bill or inquire into a specific matter.

The Three Financial Committees

Financial Committees are among the most important instruments of parliamentary control over public money.

1. Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

The PAC examines public expenditure and government accounts, including reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Its central concern is whether expenditure was made according to parliamentary authorisation and applicable financial rules.

• Established in 1921.
• 22 members: 15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha.
• Members are elected annually by proportional representation through the single transferable vote.
• Ministers cannot be members.
• Chairperson is appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker from among committee members.
• By established convention, the Chairperson has been from the Opposition since 1967.

What Does the PAC Examine?

• Appropriation Accounts.
• Finance Accounts.
• Relevant CAG audit reports.
• Whether expenditure was legally authorised.
• Whether public money was used for the intended purpose.

2. Estimates Committee

The Estimates Committee examines how public expenditure can be made more economical, efficient and effective.

• Established in 1950.
• 30 members, all from Lok Sabha.
• Members are elected annually by proportional representation through the single transferable vote.
• Ministers are ineligible.
• Chairperson is appointed by the Speaker.

Major Functions

• Suggest economies in public expenditure.
• Recommend improvements in administrative efficiency.
• Suggest alternative policies consistent with the objective of economy and efficiency.
• Examine whether expenditure is well planned within the policy framework.
• Suggest improvements in the presentation of estimates.

3. Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU)

This committee examines the accounts, reports and management practices of specified public sector undertakings.

• Established in 1964.
• 22 members: 15 Lok Sabha and 7 Rajya Sabha.
• Members elected annually through proportional representation by single transferable vote.
• Ministers are ineligible.
• Chairperson appointed by the Speaker.

Major Functions

• Examine reports and accounts of public undertakings.
• Examine relevant CAG reports.
• Assess commercial efficiency and sound management practices.
• Examine matters assigned within its parliamentary jurisdiction.

It does not ordinarily investigate day-to-day administration or major government policy as distinct from commercial management.

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Department-related Standing Committees

Department-related Standing Committees (DRSCs) examine the functioning of ministries and departments.

They strengthen legislative scrutiny, especially in relation to expenditure, administration, Bills and policy performance.

Composition

A minister cannot be nominated as a member of a DRSC. If a committee member becomes a minister, that person ceases to be a committee member.

What Do DRSCs Examine?

• Demands for Grants of the concerned ministries.
• Bills referred by the appropriate Presiding Officer.
• Annual reports of ministries and departments.
• Long-term policy documents referred to them.

What Are Their Limitations?

• They do not vote on Demands for Grants.
• They do not normally consider matters of day-to-day administration.
• Their reports are generally recommendatory.
• They cannot replace parliamentary voting or legislative decision-making.

Distribution of the 24 DRSCs

Examples of Department-related Committees

Budget Scrutiny Exercise

A committee examines a ministry’s proposed expenditure and identifies weaknesses in scheme implementation.

What can it do?

Committees for Inquiry, Scrutiny and House Business

A. Committees to Inquire

B. Committees to Scrutinise and Control

C. Committees for Day-to-Day House Business

D. House-Keeping and Service Committees

These committees concern services and facilities for members.

• General Purposes Committee.
• House Committee.
• Library Committee.
• Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament.

Ad Hoc Committees

Ad Hoc Committees are established for specific purposes and ordinarily cease after their assigned work is completed.

1. Inquiry Committees

These examine a particular matter or issue referred for investigation and reporting.

2. Advisory Committees on Bills

These include Select Committees and Joint Committees formed to examine particular Bills.

Can a Committee Reject a Bill?

A committee may recommend amendments, deletion of provisions or other changes. But its report does not automatically become law.

The House or Houses must take the necessary legislative decisions.

How Parliamentary Committees Work

Typical Working Process

What Powers May Committees Exercise?

Subject to the applicable rules and mandate, committees may:

• Call for relevant papers and records.
• Seek written evidence.
• Hear witnesses and officials.
• Examine administrative and financial performance.
• Present reports to Parliament.
• Review government responses to recommendations.

What Are the Limitations?

• Committee recommendations are generally advisory.
• Committees cannot enact laws independently.
• They do not replace parliamentary votes.
• Examination may be limited by time, information and expertise.
• Not every Bill is necessarily referred to a committee.
• Committee proceedings may be confidential until authorised publication.

Why Is Committee Scrutiny Important for Democracy?

It allows detailed legislative oversight, improves policy discussion, provides opportunities for cross-party examination and may help identify implementation gaps.

Parliamentary Committees in 2026

Annual Reconstitution of DRSCs

The 24 Department-related Standing Committees were reconstituted for the 2026–27 committee cycle, effective 26 September 2026.

Their basic institutional arrangement continues: up to 31 members per committee, with 21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.

Recent Examples of Committee Scrutiny

Interactive Committee Identification Lab

Read each scenario and identify the most appropriate committee or procedure.

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Parliamentary Committees in 60 Seconds