Parliamentary Committees in India – Standing Committees, DRSCs, Types, Functions, Important Committees List for UPSC SSC RRB

Parliamentary Committees in India 

Introduction

Parliamentary Committees form the backbone of legislative oversight in India and are a high-weightage topic in UPSC Prelims/Mains, SSC CGL/CHSL, RRB NTPC, Delhi Police and State PCS exams. These small expert groups of MPs perform detailed scrutiny of Bills, Budget demands, government policies and executive performance that full Parliament cannot do due to time constraints.

Why Committees Matter for Exams:

·       Financial Committees (PAC, Estimates, COPU) = Most Repeated

·       24 Department Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) = UPSC favourite

·       Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs) = Current affairs (2G, Bofors)

·       Direct questions on functions, composition, chairmanship

In simple terms, committees are Parliament's research teams that question ministers, examine CAG audits, study ministry performance and recommend improvements. This blog covers all 3 Financial Committees, 24 DRSCs, selection process, powers, limitations and PYQ patterns in exam-ready format with tables and mind maps.

Perfect for aspirants who need clear concepts without complex theory!

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Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Types of Parliamentary Committees
• Standing Committees vs Ad hoc Committees
• Department Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)
• Financial Committees
• Other Important Committees
• Functions and Powers of Committees
• MCQs

Parliamentary Committees

Parliamentary Committees are small groups of MPs formed to study Bills, examine government policies, and oversee executive functioning. They act as Parliament's eyes and ears.

Total Committees: 24 DRSCs + 3 Financial Committees + others

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Types of Parliamentary Committees

Two Main Types:

Type	Nature	Tenure	Examples
Standing Committees	Permanent	1 year	DRSCs, Financial Committees
Ad-hoc Committees	Temporary	Till task completion	JPC, Select Committees

 
Learn Powers, functions, and Articles of Prime Minister & Council of Ministers with examples.

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Standing Committees vs Ad-hoc Committees

 

Feature	Standing Committees	Ad-hoc Committees
Permanence	Exist year after year	Formed for specific purpose
Tenure	1 Academic Year	Till report submitted
Reconstitution	Reconstituted annually	Dissolved after work
Members	Fixed allocation	Purpose-specific
Examples	PAC, DRSCs	JPCs, Select Committees

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Department Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)

They provide detailed scrutiny of Ministry-wise Budget Demands and legislative business that full House cannot handle due to time constraints.

Origin & Evolution

Year	Development	Number of DRSCs
1989	3 initial committees (Agriculture, Science & Tech, Environment)	3
1993	Formal establishment (Lok Sabha Rules Committee recommendation)	17
2004	Expanded + restructured	24 (16 LS + 8 RS)

 

Composition & Structure

Each DRSC has:

Total Members: 31

- Lok Sabha: 21 members

- Rajya Sabha: 10 members

Term: 1 Academic Year (April–April)

Key Features:

 Nominated by Speaker (LS) / Chairman (RS)

  Proportional party representation

  No Ministers allowed (cease membership if appointed Minister)

 Chairmanship rotates (LS/RS alternately)

Jurisdiction Split:

House	Number	Examples
Lok Sabha	16 DRSCs	Defence, Home, Finance
Rajya Sabha	8 DRSCs	External Affairs, Health

 

Complete List of 24 DRSCs

Part-I (Lok Sabha Jurisdiction – 16 Committees):

S.No.	Committee Name	Ministries Covered
1	Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Food Processing	Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, etc.
2	Defence	Defence (Most Important)
3	Home Affairs	Home Affairs (Most Important)
4	Finance	Finance (Most Important)
5	External Affairs	External Affairs
6	Chemicals & Fertilizers	Chemicals, Fertilizers
7	Energy	Power, New & Renewable Energy
8	Industry	Heavy Industries, Steel
9	Transport, Tourism & Culture	Civil Aviation, Shipping, Tourism
10	Health & Family Welfare	Health (Important)
11	Education, Women, Children	HRD, Women & Child Development
12	Commerce	Commerce & Industry
13	Science & Technology	Science & Technology, Space
14	Communications & IT	Communications, IT
15	Food, Consumer Affairs	Consumer Affairs, Food
16	Water Resources	Jal Shakti

 

Part-II (Rajya Sabha Jurisdiction – 8 Committees):

S.No.	Committee Name	Ministries Covered
17	Personnel, Public Grievances	Personnel, Pensions
18	Urban Development	Housing & Urban Affairs
19	Rural Development	Rural Development
20	Social Justice & Empowerment	Social Justice, Tribal Affairs
21	Coal, Mines, Steel	Coal, Mines, Steel
22	Commerce (Joint)	Commerce (shared)
23	Environment, Forests	Environment, Forests & Climate
24	Labour, Textiles	Labour, Textiles

 

Functions of DRSCs (5 Key Roles)

Primary Functions (Most Repeated in PYQs):**

1.   Demands for Grants – Examine Ministry Budget before Parliament voting

2.   Legislative Scrutiny – Detailed study of Bills referred by Parliament

3.   Annual Reports – Review Ministry performance reports

4.   Long-term Policy – Study 5-Year Plans, policy documents

5.   Special Studies – Any subject of public importance

Powers of DRSCs (Investigative Authority)

✅ Summon witnesses (Ministers, Secretaries, Experts)
✅ Demand documents/papers
✅ Conduct field visits/study tours
✅ Appoint consultants/sub-committees
✅ Present reports with recommendations to Parliament

Limitations:
❌ No binding powers (recommendatory only)
❌ Cannot question policy decisions
❌ No judicial authority
❌ Reports not discussed in Parliament (usually)

WORK ENERGY POWER – COMPLETE NOTES!

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Financial Committees

 

Three Key Financial Committees:

Committee	Established	Members	Chairman	Function
Public Accounts Committee (PAC)	1921	22 (15 LS + 7 RS)	Non-govt MP	Audit Reports (CAG)
Estimates Committee	1950	30 (All LS)	Non-govt MP	Economy + Efficiency
Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU)	1964	22 (15 LS + 7 RS)	Non-govt MP	PSU Performance

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Other Important Standing Committees

 

Committee	Purpose
Committee on Welfare of SC/ST	SC/ST welfare schemes
Committee on Women	Women-related legislation
Committee on Petitions	Public grievances
Committee on Privileges	MP privileges/ethics
Business Advisory Committee	Parliament business allocation
Rules Committee	Parliament procedures

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Important Ad-hoc Committees

 

Committee	Purpose	Examples
Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs)	Specific Bills/Scandals	2G Spectrum JPC, Bofors JPC
Select Committees	Examine specific Bills	GST Bill Select Committee
Railway Convention Committee	Railway finances
Public Undertakings Selection Committee	Select PSUs for COPU

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Functions and Powers of Committees

Main Functions:

1.   Legislative scrutiny (Bills examination)

2.   Financial oversight (Budget/Demands)

3.   Executive accountability (Ministry performance)

4.   Policy review (Long-term documents)

Powers:

·       Summon witnesses (Ministers, officials)

·       Demand documents/papers

·       Conduct studies/tours

·       Present reports to Parliament

Limitations:

·       No binding decisions (recommendatory only)

·       Cannot question policy decisions

·       No judicial powers

MONEY & BANKING – COMPLETE EXAM NOTES WITH MCQs. 

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MCQs

Q1. Which committee examines the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)?
(A) Estimates Committee
(B) Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
(C) Committee on Public Undertakings
(D) Finance Committee

Ans: B
Explanation: PAC scrutinises CAG audit reports. Most repeated question. [UPSC Prelims 2013]

Q2. Who is the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee?
(A) Prime Minister
(B) Finance Minister
(C) Non-government member
(D) Speaker of Lok Sabha

Ans: C
Explanation: PAC Chairman is always from opposition (tradition since 1967). [SSC CGL 2021]

Q3. The Estimates Committee consists of:
(A) 22 members
(B) 30 members
(C) 15 members
(D) 31 members

Ans: B
Explanation: Estimates Committee = 30 Lok Sabha members only (no Rajya Sabha). [RRB NTPC 2020]

Q4. Which committee examines the reports of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)?
(A) Public Accounts Committee
(B) Estimates Committee
(C) Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU)
(D) DRSC on Industry

Ans: C
Explanation: COPU reviews PSU performance. [UPSC CDS 2022]

Q5. The Public Accounts Committee was first established in:
(A) 1947
(B) 1921
(C) 1950
(D) 1964

Ans: B
Explanation: PAC established in 1921 (pre-independence). [SSC CHSL 2019]

Q6. Estimates Committee examines government expenditure for:
(A) Audit compliance
(B) Economy and efficiency
(C) Legal compliance
(D) Policy implementation

Ans:B
Explanation: Economy + efficiency of expenditure (not policy). [UPSC Prelims]

Q7. Total members in Department Related Standing Committees (DRSCs):
(A) 21
(B) 24
(C) 31
(D) 30

Ans: C
Explanation: DRSCs = 21 Lok Sabha + 10 Rajya Sabha = 31 members. [SSC CGL 2022]

Q8. How many DRSCs are there in Lok Sabha?
(A) 8
(B) 16
(C) 24
(D) 31

Ans: B
Explanation: 16 Lok Sabha DRSCs + 8 Rajya Sabha DRSCs = 24 total. [RRB NTPC 2021]

Q9. Which Financial Committee has NO Rajya Sabha members?
(A) Public Accounts Committee
(B) Committee on Public Undertakings
(C) Estimates Committee
(D) All have RS members

Ans: C
Explanation: Estimates Committee = 30 Lok Sabha members only. [UPSC 2019]

Q10. COPU was established in:
(A) 1921
(B) 1950
(C) 1964
(D) 1993

Ans: C
Explanation: Committee on Public Undertakings formed in 1964. [SSC MTS 2020]

Q11. Standing Committees are:
(A) Temporary
(B) Permanent (1-year tenure)
(C) Dissolved after report
(D) Formed by President

Ans: B
Explanation: Standing committees reconstituted annually. [UPSC CDS]

Q12. Ad-hoc Committees are dissolved after:
(A) 1 year
(B) Task completion
(C) Speaker's order
(D) Election

Ans: B
Explanation: JPCs, Select Committees = temporary. [SSC CGL 2018]

Q13. Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs) examine:
(A) Annual Budget
(B) Specific Bills/Scandals
(C) CAG reports
(D) Demands for Grants

Ans: B
Explanation: 2G JPC, Bofors JPC. [RRB NTPC 2019]

Q14. Who nominates members to Parliamentary Committees?
(A) Prime Minister
(B) Speaker/Chairman
(C) President
(D) Party leaders

Ans: B
Explanation: Speaker (LS) / Chairman (RS) nominates proportionally. [UPSC Prelims]

Q15. Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) has how many members?
(A) 30
(B) 31
(C) 22
(D) 24

Ans: C
Explanation: COPU = 15 LS + 7 RS = 22 members. [SSC CHSL 2021]

Q16. Parliamentary Committees can:
(A) Enforce decisions
(B) Summon witnesses
(C) Pass laws
(D) Vote on Budget

Ans: B
Explanation: Committees have investigative powers (summon, documents). [UPSC 2021]

Q17. DRSCs examine:
(A) Only CAG reports
(B) Demands for Grants
(C) Only Bills
(D) PSU performance

Ans: B
Explanation: DRSCs scrutinise Ministry Budget Demands. [RRB Group D 2022]

Q18. Recommendations of Parliamentary Committees are:
(A) Binding
(B) Recommendatory
(C) Judicial
(D) Enforceable by law

Ans: B
Explanation: Non-binding — government may accept/reject. [SSC CGL 2020]

Q19. Which committee deals with MP privileges?
(A) Ethics Committee
(B) Committee on Privileges
(C) Business Advisory Committee
(D) Petitions Committee

Ans: B
Explanation: Committee on Privileges handles breach of privilege cases. [UPSC CDS]

Q20. Business Advisory Committee decides:
(A) Committee membership
(B) Time allocation for Bills
(C) Speaker election
(D) Whip selection

Ans: B
Explanation: Allocates time for parliamentary business. [State PCS]

 

Q21. Which committee was formed for 2G Spectrum scam?
(A) Select Committee
(B) Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)
(C) PAC
(D) Estimates Committee

Ans: B
Explanation: JPCs for major scandals. [SSC CGL 2019]

Q22. Committee on Petitions is:
(A) Standing
(B) Ad-hoc
(C) Financial
(D) DRSC

Ans: A
Explanation: Standing Committee for public petitions. [RRB NTPC]

Q23. Who chairs Financial Committees?
(A) Government MP
(B) Opposition MP
(C) Speaker
(D) Minister

Ans: B
Explanation: Non-govt MP chairs PAC, Estimates, COPU. [UPSC 2018]

Q24. Total Parliamentary Committees chaired by Speaker:
(A) All committees
(B) None
(C) Financial only
(D) DRSCs only

Ans: B
Explanation: Speaker nominates but does not chair committees. [SSC CHSL]

Q25. Which examines rules made by executive under acts?
(A) Estimates Committee
(B) Committee on Subordinate Legislation
(C) PAC
(D) COPU

Ans: B
Explanation: Checks delegated legislation (rules/notifications). [UPSC Prelims]

Learn national Income and it's measurement, concepts, methods, sectors and importance with detailed explanation and examples.

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FAQs

Q1. How many Department Related Standing Committees are there?
24 DRSCs (16 Lok Sabha + 8 Rajya Sabha).

 

Q2. Who chairs the Public Accounts Committee?
Non-government MP (tradition since 1967).

 

Q3. Difference between Standing and Ad-hoc committees?
Standing = permanent (1 year tenure), Ad-hoc = temporary (task-specific).

 

Q4. What examines CAG audit reports?
Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

 

Q5. Estimates Committee examines?
Economy and efficiency of government expenditure.

 

Q6. Total members in DRSCs?
31 members (21 LS + 10 RS).

 

Q7. JPCs are formed for?
Specific Bills or scandals (like 2G Spectrum).

 

Q8. Who nominates committee members?
Speaker (LS) / Chairman (RS).

MARATHAS – Complete Notes for Competitive Exams!

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Conclusion:

Parliamentary Committees are Parliament's most powerful tool for executive oversight and legislative quality control. For UPSC, SSC, RRB and Delhi Police exams, mastering 3 Financial Committees + DRSCs guarantees 8–12 marks from Polity section.

Must-Memorise (Score 100%):

Public Accounts Committee (PAC): CAG audit reports, Non-govt Chairman

Estimates Committee: Economy + efficiency, 30 LS members

COPU: PSU performance, 22 members

DRSCs: 24 committees, 31 members each (21 LS + 10 RS)

JPCs: Specific scandals/Bills (2G, Bofors)