SSC CGL 2027 Parliamentary Committees: Important Facts for Competitive Exams

Parliamentary Committees play an important role in the functioning of the Indian Parliament. They examine bills, review government expenditure, study departmental performance and help Parliament perform its legislative and oversight responsibilities effectively. For SSC CGL 2027, this topic is useful for General Awareness and Indian Polity revision.

Questions on parliamentary committees may cover their types, composition, functions, chairpersons, tenure and the differences between the Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee and Committee on Public Undertakings. Understanding these basic concepts can help candidates answer factual questions with greater confidence.

What Are Parliamentary Committees?

Parliamentary Committees are groups of Members of Parliament formed to examine specific subjects and report their findings to Parliament or the relevant House. Since Parliament has extensive legislative, financial and oversight responsibilities, committees allow detailed examination of matters that may not receive sufficient attention during full House proceedings.

Committees can examine government spending, proposed legislation, departmental policies, public undertakings and issues referred to them. Their reports support parliamentary scrutiny and informed decision-making.

Types of Parliamentary Committees

Parliamentary Committees are broadly classified into two major categories:

1. Standing Committees

Standing Committees are permanent or regularly constituted committees that continue to function under established parliamentary rules. Their membership may be reconstituted periodically.

Examples include:

• Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
• Estimates Committee
• Committee on Public Undertakings
• Department-related Standing Committees
• Committee on Petitions
• Committee of Privileges

2. Ad Hoc Committees

Ad hoc Committees are established for a particular purpose or task. They generally cease to exist after submitting their report or completing the assigned work.

Examples include select committees and joint committees appointed to examine specific bills or investigate particular matters.

Important Financial Committees of Parliament

The three major financial committees are the Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee and Committee on Public Undertakings. These are especially important for competitive examinations.

1. Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

The Public Accounts Committee examines government expenditure and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) to determine whether public money has been spent in accordance with parliamentary authorisation and applicable rules.

• Total members: 22
• Lok Sabha members: 15
• Rajya Sabha members: 7
• Chairperson: Appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• Important function: Examines appropriation accounts, finance accounts and relevant CAG reports.

The chairperson of the PAC is conventionally appointed from the opposition in recent parliamentary practice, although this is not a constitutional requirement.

2. Estimates Committee

The Estimates Committee examines budget estimates and suggests improvements in economy, efficiency and administrative organisation. It may recommend alternative policies to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary expenditure.

• Total members: 30
• Membership: All members are from the Lok Sabha.
• Rajya Sabha representation: None.
• Important function: Reviews estimates and recommends improvements in public expenditure and administration.

For SSC CGL, remember that the Estimates Committee is the largest of the three major financial committees by membership, with 30 members.

3. Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU)

The Committee on Public Undertakings examines reports and accounts of specified public sector undertakings and reviews aspects of their performance, management and accountability within its assigned scope.

• Total members: 22
• Lok Sabha members: 15
• Rajya Sabha members: 7
• Important function: Examines selected public undertakings and their reports and accounts.

Its work helps Parliament assess the performance and accountability of public sector undertakings.

Comparison of the Three Major Financial Committees

Department-Related Standing Committees

Department-related Standing Committees examine the demands for grants of ministries and departments, bills referred to them, annual reports and policy documents within their assigned responsibilities.

There are 24 Department-related Standing Committees. Each committee has 31 members, comprising 21 members from the Lok Sabha nominated by the Speaker and 10 members from the Rajya Sabha nominated by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

These committees help Parliament examine the work of ministries in greater detail. Their reports are generally recommendatory and do not replace the legislative authority of Parliament.

Important Facts About Parliamentary Committees

• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha plays an important role in appointing the chairpersons of several Lok Sabha committees and joint committees.
• The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha performs relevant functions for committees under the Rajya Sabha's authority.
• The Public Accounts Committee examines relevant CAG reports and government accounts.
• The Estimates Committee consists entirely of Lok Sabha members.
• The Committee on Public Undertakings examines specified public sector undertakings.
• Department-related Standing Committees scrutinise ministry-level policies, bills and demands for grants.
• Parliamentary committees improve the quality of legislative scrutiny by allowing detailed examination of issues.
• Committee recommendations are generally advisory, although their reports can significantly influence parliamentary debate and government accountability.

How Parliamentary Committees Help Parliament

Detailed Examination of Bills

Committees can examine provisions of bills in detail, gather evidence where appropriate and make recommendations for improvements. This can help identify technical or implementation-related issues.

Financial Accountability

Financial committees examine public expenditure, budget estimates and reports relating to government accounts. Their work supports transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

Executive Oversight

Committees scrutinise government departments and specified public undertakings. This helps Parliament review administrative performance and assess whether public policies are being implemented effectively.

Expert and Evidence-Based Review

Committee proceedings can provide opportunities for detailed discussion and the examination of information from relevant sources. This supports better-informed parliamentary decisions.

Practice MCQs for SSC CGL 2027

Question 1

Which parliamentary committee examines reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India relating to government expenditure?

A) Estimates Committee
B) Public Accounts Committee
C) Committee on Petitions
D) Committee of Privileges

Question 2

How many members are there in the Estimates Committee?

A) 15
B) 22
C) 30
D) 31

Question 3

Which of the following committees consists entirely of Lok Sabha members?

A) Public Accounts Committee
B) Committee on Public Undertakings
C) Estimates Committee
D) Department-related Standing Committees

Question 4

What is the total membership of the Public Accounts Committee?

A) 20
B) 22
C) 25
D) 30

Question 5

Which committee primarily examines the performance of specified public sector undertakings?

A) Estimates Committee
B) Committee on Public Undertakings
C) Committee on Petitions
D) Business Advisory Committee

Question 6

How many Department-related Standing Committees are there in the Indian Parliament?

A) 16
B) 20
C) 24
D) 30

Question 7

How many members are there in each Department-related Standing Committee?

A) 22
B) 24
C) 30
D) 31

Question 8

Which committee is associated with recommending improvements in economy and efficiency in government administration?

A) Estimates Committee
B) Committee of Privileges
C) Committee on Petitions
D) Ethics Committee

Question 9

How many members of the Public Accounts Committee come from the Rajya Sabha?

A) 5
B) 7
C) 10
D) 15

Question 10

Which statement about parliamentary committee reports is generally correct?

A) Every recommendation automatically becomes law.
B) Committees replace Parliament's legislative authority.
C) Committee reports support scrutiny and are generally recommendatory.
D) Committees can independently amend the Constitution.

Answer Key with Explanations

Quick Revision Strategy

• Memorise the names and functions of the three major financial committees.
• Remember the membership numbers: PAC 22, Estimates Committee 30 and Committee on Public Undertakings 22.
• Revise the 24 Department-related Standing Committees and their 31-member composition.
• Understand the difference between Standing Committees and Ad hoc Committees.
• Practise MCQs that compare committee membership, functions and areas of responsibility.
• Review mistakes and revise the facts periodically before attempting mock tests.

Conclusion

Parliamentary Committees are essential to the legislative, financial and oversight functions of the Indian Parliament. For SSC CGL 2027, focus on the Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee, Committee on Public Undertakings and Department-related Standing Committees. Learning their composition and responsibilities, followed by regular MCQ practice, can strengthen your Indian Polity preparation.

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