2023 · GS Paper 2 · Q16 · 15 marks
Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalisation of Indian Parliament?
In short
Parliament works through standing and ad hoc committees, and its financial committees have largely institutionalised bipartisan control of public spending, though their scrutiny stays advisory and post-mortem. The Public Accounts Committee examines the CAG's audit reports and has been chaired by an opposition member since 1967.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 283 words
Standing committees
Permanent bodies that work continuously, including the financial trio, inquiry and scrutiny committees, and the 24 Departmentally Related Standing Committees (1993) that examine bills and demands for grants.
Ad hoc committees
Formed for one task and dissolved after it, such as the JPC on 2G spectrum (2011) or a Select Committee on a bill.
Common features
Members come in proportion to party strength and meet behind closed doors, so they reason on evidence rather than perform.
Public Accounts Committee
Since 1921 it examines the CAG's reports under Article 151, and an opposition chair since 1967 makes oversight bipartisan.
Estimates Committee
Formed in 1950, its 30 Lok Sabha members act as a "continuous economy committee".
Committee on Public Undertakings
Since 1964 it tests the efficiency of public sector enterprises.
The limits
Scrutiny is post-mortem, recommendations are advisory, Action Taken Notes arrive late, and the 2G draft report of 2011 split on party lines.
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This chapter in the exam
Parliament — Conduct of Business5 questions
Asked in 4 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2021Do Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees keep the administration on its toes and inspire reverence for parliamentary control? Evaluate the working of such committees with suitable examples.
- 2018Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2023 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.