Here is the revised and expanded note on **Parliamentary Committees** in **Markdown format**, including relevant **Articles of the Constitution**, additional details, and previous year UPSC questions.  

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# **Parliamentary Committees in India**  

Parliamentary Committees are crucial for the **scrutiny, accountability, and efficiency** of legislative functions. They help Parliament manage its workload by **examining issues in detail**.  

## **Types of Parliamentary Committees**  

Parliamentary Committees are broadly classified into:  

1. **Standing Committees** – Permanent and constituted every year.  
2. **Ad Hoc Committees** – Temporary and dissolved after their task is completed.  

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## **1. Standing Committees**  

These committees work **continuously** to scrutinize government functioning.  

### **(A) Financial Committees**  

These ensure legislative control over public expenditure.  

| **Committee** | **Composition** | **Functions** | **Relevant Articles** |
|--------------|----------------|--------------|-----------------------|
| **Public Accounts Committee (PAC)** | **22 members** (15 from Lok Sabha + 7 from Rajya Sabha). The chairman is usually from the **opposition party** (since 1967). | - Examines **CAG reports** on government expenditure. <br> - Ensures public funds are used properly and efficiently. <br> - Can summon officials but cannot issue orders. | **Article 266** (Consolidated Fund of India) <br> **Article 148-151** (CAG’s reports) |
| **Estimates Committee** | **30 members** (Only from Lok Sabha). The chairman is always from the ruling party. | - Scrutinizes budget estimates to suggest **economy and efficiency**. <br> - Examines the implementation of government policies. | **Article 113** (Estimates of Expenditure) |
| **Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU)** | **22 members** (15 from Lok Sabha + 7 from Rajya Sabha). | - Examines working of **Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)**. <br> - Reviews CAG reports on PSUs. <br> - Suggests efficiency improvements. | **Article 12** (Definition of the State) <br> **Article 298** (Trade by Union & State) |

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### **(B) Department-Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)**  

- **Total:** 24 Committees  
- **Composition:** **31 members** (21 from Lok Sabha + 10 from Rajya Sabha).  
- They **examine bills, policies, and budgetary allocations** of ministries.  

| **Key Committees** | **Covered Ministries** |
|------------------|----------------------|
| Committee on Defence | Ministry of Defence |
| Committee on External Affairs | Ministry of External Affairs |
| Committee on Finance | Ministry of Finance |
| Committee on Home Affairs | Ministry of Home Affairs |

🔹 **Significance**: Helps in in-depth analysis of policies and bills before they are passed.  

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### **(C) Committees to Enforce Parliamentary Privileges**  

| **Committee** | **Composition** | **Functions** | **Relevant Articles** |
|--------------|----------------|--------------|-----------------------|
| **Committee of Privileges** | Lok Sabha – 15 members <br> Rajya Sabha – 10 members | - Investigates breach of parliamentary privileges. <br> - Recommends punishments if needed. | **Article 105** (Powers, Privileges of MPs) <br> **Article 194** (Privileges of State Legislatures) |
| **Committee on Ethics** | Lok Sabha – 15 members <br> Rajya Sabha – 10 members | - Ensures **ethical conduct** of MPs. <br> - Investigates cases of misconduct. | No specific Article, but linked to **Rule 303A of Lok Sabha Rules** |

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### **(D) Business & Administrative Committees**  

| **Committee** | **Composition** | **Functions** |
|--------------|----------------|--------------|
| **Business Advisory Committee** | Lok Sabha – 15 members <br> Rajya Sabha – 11 members | Allocates time for discussions in Parliament. |
| **Rules Committee** | Lok Sabha – 15 members <br> Rajya Sabha – 16 members | Frames and amends **rules of procedure**. |
| **Committee on Absence of Members** | 15 members (Only from Lok Sabha) | Examines leave applications of MPs. |
| **General Purposes Committee** | Includes **Speaker/Chairman** and other leaders. | Discusses matters not covered under other committees. |

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### **(E) Government Assurance & Subordinate Legislation Committees**  

| **Committee** | **Composition** | **Functions** |
|--------------|----------------|--------------|
| **Committee on Government Assurances** | Lok Sabha – 15 members <br> Rajya Sabha – 10 members | Ensures government fulfills promises made in Parliament. |
| **Committee on Subordinate Legislation** | Lok Sabha – 15 members <br> Rajya Sabha – 15 members | Examines **rules and regulations** framed under parliamentary laws. |

🔹 **Significance**: Prevents excessive executive power through delegated legislation.  

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### **(F) Social & Welfare Committees**  

| **Committee** | **Composition** | **Functions** |
|--------------|----------------|--------------|
| **Committee on SC/ST Welfare** | 30 members (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) | Reviews policies and schemes for SC/ST welfare. |
| **Committee on Empowerment of Women** | 30 members (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) | Examines issues related to women's welfare. |
| **Committee on Official Language** | 30 members (20 from Lok Sabha + 10 from Rajya Sabha) | Ensures implementation of Hindi as an official language (Article 344 & 351). |

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## **2. Ad Hoc Committees**  

These committees are **temporary** and formed for a specific purpose.  

### **(A) Inquiry Committees**  

| **Committee** | **Purpose** |
|--------------|------------|
| **Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)** | Formed for in-depth **investigations** into financial or policy-related issues. |
| **Select Committees** | Formed to scrutinize **specific bills** in detail. |

### **(B) Advisory Committees**  

| **Committee** | **Purpose** |
|--------------|------------|
| **Committees on Specific Issues** | Formed to investigate matters of **public importance**. <br> Example: Harshad Mehta Scam JPC. |

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## **Previous Year UPSC Questions**  

### **UPSC Prelims 2018**  
**Consider the following statements regarding the Public Accounts Committee:**  
1. It examines reports of the CAG.  
2. A minister cannot be a member.  
3. Its chairman is appointed by the President.  

**Which of the above is/are correct?**  
(a) 1 only  
(b) 1 and 2 only  
(c) 2 and 3 only  
(d) 1, 2, and 3  

✅ **Answer:** **(b) 1 and 2 only**  

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### **UPSC Mains 2020**  
*"Discuss the role of the Estimates Committee in the formulation and scrutiny of the budget. How does it strengthen parliamentary control over executive action?"*  

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## **Conclusion**  
Parliamentary Committees ensure **accountability, policy effectiveness, and oversight**. They strengthen **parliamentary democracy** by ensuring **detailed discussions and scrutiny** of government policies and expenditure.  

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