Question 1

Consider the following conditions:
1. It is appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker / Chairman.
2. It works under the direction of the Speaker / Chairman.
3. It presents its report to the House or to the Speaker / Chairman.
4. It has a secretariat provided by the Lok Sabha / Rajya Sabha.
How many of the above are essential conditions for a committee to be classified as a 'parliamentary committee'?

Accepted Answer

All four. For a committee to be designated as a parliamentary committee, it must satisfy all four conditions: be appointed/elected by the House or nominated by the Presiding Officer, work under the Presiding Officer's direction, submit its report to the House or the Presiding Officer, and be provided a secretariat by the Parliament.

Question 2

Statement I: The Constitution of India provides detailed provisions regarding the composition, tenure, and functions of parliamentary committees.
Statement II: The specific rules governing the composition, tenure, and functions of parliamentary committees are determined by the rules of the two Houses of Parliament.

Accepted Answer

Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.. Statement I is incorrect. The Constitution of India mentions parliamentary committees at different places but does not lay down any specific provisions regarding their composition, tenure, or functions. Statement II is correct as these matters are governed by the rules of procedure of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Question 3

With reference to parliamentary committees, consider the following statements:
1. The primary role of these committees is to assist the Parliament in the detailed scrutiny of legislative and other matters.
2. Consultative committees, which also consist of Members of Parliament, are a type of parliamentary committee.
3. The existence of parliamentary committees is mentioned in the Constitution of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only. Statement 2 is incorrect. Consultative committees are not considered parliamentary committees because they do not fulfill all the required conditions, such as working under the direction of the Speaker/Chairman and presenting a report to the House. Statements 1 and 3 are correct descriptions of the role and constitutional mention of parliamentary committees.

Question 4

Consider the following statements regarding the operational framework of a parliamentary committee:
1. A committee member must be either elected by the House or appointed by the Prime Minister.
2. The committee functions under the direct supervision and guidance of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
3. The findings of the committee are presented in a report submitted directly to the President of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only. Only statement 2 is correct. A parliamentary committee works under the direction of the Speaker/Chairman. Statement 1 is incorrect because members are appointed/elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker/Chairman, not the Prime Minister. Statement 3 is incorrect because the report is submitted to the House or to the Speaker/Chairman, not the President.

Question 5

The establishment of parliamentary committees is necessitated by
which of the following reasons?
1. The large and unwieldy nature of the Parliament.
2. The lack of necessary expertise within the Parliament for detailed scrutiny.
3. The voluminous and complex nature of parliamentary functions.
4. The inadequacy of time available to the Parliament for deliberations.
How many of the above reasons are correct?

Accepted Answer

All four. All four reasons are correct. Parliamentary committees are essential because the Parliament itself is too large for effective deliberation, its functions are varied and complex, and it lacks both the time and specialized expertise to scrutinize all matters in detail.

Question 6

Consider the following statements regarding Parliamentary Committees:
1. Standing Committees are temporary in nature and are constituted for a specific purpose.
2. Ad Hoc Committees are permanent, constituted every year, and work on a continuous basis.
3. Inquiry Committees and Advisory Committees are two categories of Ad Hoc Committees.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

3 only. Statement 1 is incorrect; it describes Ad Hoc Committees. Statement 2 is incorrect; it describes Standing Committees. Standing Committees are permanent and work continuously. Ad Hoc Committees are temporary and are dissolved after completing their assigned task. Statement 3 is correct as Ad Hoc Committees are divided into Inquiry and Advisory Committees.

Question 7

Consider the following Parliamentary Committees:
1. Committee on Public Undertakings
2. Joint Committee on Bofors Contract
3. Business Advisory Committee
4. Joint Committee on Stock Market Scam
How many of the above are examples of Standing Committees?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Standing Committees are permanent bodies constituted periodically. The Committee on Public Undertakings and the Business Advisory Committee are Standing Committees. Ad Hoc committees, like the Joint Committee on Bofors Contract and the Joint Committee on Stock Market Scam, are temporary and created for a specific inquiry.

Question 8

With reference to Advisory Committees on bills (Select or Joint Committees),
which of the following statements is/are NOT correct?
1. A bill is referred to such a committee only after the House has completed the clause-by-clause consideration.
2. The committee can take evidence from associations and experts interested in the bill.
3. Members who disagree with the committee's majority report can append their minutes of dissent.

Accepted Answer

1 only. Statement 1 is incorrect. A bill is referred to a Select or Joint Committee during the stage of general discussion, before the House undertakes a clause-by-clause consideration. Statements 2 and 3 correctly describe the committee's procedure, which includes taking evidence and allowing members to append minutes of dissent to the final report.

Question 9

Consider the following pairs:
Committee Category : Example Committee
1. Committees to Scrutinise and Control : Committee on Government Assurances
2. Committees Relating to Day-to-Day Business of the House : Ethics Committee
3. House-Keeping Committees : Library Committee
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two pairs. Pair 1 is correct: The Committee on Government Assurances is a committee to scrutinise and control. Pair 3 is correct: The Library Committee is a House-Keeping Committee. Pair 2 is incorrect: The Ethics Committee is a 'Committee to Inquire', not one related to day-to-day business. Pair 4 is not mentioned in the text, but the Committee on Petitions is a 'Committee to Inquire', not a Financial Committee.

Question 10

Statement I: Ad hoc committees, such as the Joint Committee on Bofors Contract, are constituted by the Houses or the Presiding Officer to inquire into and report on specific subjects.
Statement II: Ad hoc committees are permanent parliamentary bodies that are constituted every year and work on a continuous basis.

Accepted Answer

Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.. Statement I is correct. Ad Hoc Inquiry Committees are formed for specific investigations, such as the Bofors Contract inquiry, and cease to exist upon completion of their task. Statement II is incorrect as it describes the nature of Standing Committees, which are permanent and work continuously. Ad hoc committees are, by definition, temporary.

Question 11

Consider the following statements regarding the composition and leadership of Parliamentary Financial Committees:
1. The Estimates Committee consists exclusively of members from the Lok Sabha.
2. A minister can be elected as a member of the Committee on Public Undertakings.
3. The chairman of the Public Accounts Committee is invariably selected from the Opposition.
4. The chairman of the Committee on Public Undertakings can be from either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct as the Estimates Committee has 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha. Statement 3 is correct as a convention since 1967 ensures the PAC chairman is from the Opposition. Statement 2 is incorrect because a minister cannot be elected to any of the three financial committees. Statement 4 is incorrect as the chairman of the Committee on Public Undertakings must be appointed from amongst its Lok Sabha members only.

Question 12

With reference to the Estimates Committee, consider the following statements:
1. It is described as a 'continuous economy committee' due to its function of suggesting economies in public expenditure.
2. It is assisted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in the fulfillment of its functions.
3. It can suggest alternative policies to bring about efficiency and economy in administration.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. Statements 1 and 3 are correct descriptions of the functions of the Estimates Committee. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Estimates Committee lacks the expert assistance of the CAG, which is a key feature available to the Public Accounts Committee.

Question 13

Consider the following pairs:
Committee : Basis of Origin
1. Public Accounts Committee : Krishna Menon Committee
2. Estimates Committee : Recommendation of John Mathai
3. Committee on Public Undertakings : Government of India Act of 1919
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only one pair. Only the second pair is correctly matched. The Estimates Committee was constituted in 1950 on the recommendation of the then finance minister, John Mathai. The Public Accounts Committee was first set up under the Government of India Act of 1919. The Committee on Public Undertakings was created in 1964 on the recommendation of the Krishna Menon Committee.

Question 14

Statement I: The recommendations of the Financial Committees like the Public Accounts Committee and the Estimates Committee are advisory and not binding on the ministries.
Statement II: These committees are not executive bodies and cannot issue orders; only the Parliament can take a final decision on their findings.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.. Both statements are correct. The recommendations of parliamentary committees are indeed advisory. Statement II provides the constitutional reason for this: these committees are investigative and scrutinizing bodies that report to the Parliament. They do not have executive powers to enforce their recommendations or issue orders. The final authority to act on their findings rests with the Parliament and the government, making their role advisory in nature.

Question 15

Consider the following statements regarding the Public Accounts Committee (PAC):
1. The committee consists of 22 members, with 15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha.
2. The chairman of the committee is appointed by the Speaker and has always belonged to the Opposition party since its inception in 1921.
3. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) acts as a guide, friend, and philosopher to the committee.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

2 only. Statement 2 is not correct. While the chairman is appointed by the Speaker, the convention of selecting the chairman from the Opposition began only in 1967, not from the committee's inception. Until 1966-67, the chairman belonged to the ruling party. Statements 1 and 3 are correct descriptions of the PAC's composition and its relationship with the CAG.

Question 16

Consider the following statements regarding the composition and tenure of Departmental Standing Committees (DRSCs):
1. Each standing committee consists of 31 members, with 21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
2. A minister is eligible to be nominated as a member of a standing committee.
3. The term of office for each standing committee is one year from its constitution.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. Statement 1 is correct as each committee has 31 members (21 from Lok Sabha, 10 from Rajya Sabha). Statement 3 is also correct as the term of office is one year. Statement 2 is incorrect; a minister is explicitly not eligible to be nominated as a member of any standing committee.

Question 17

Consider the following activities:
1. Considering matters of day-to-day administration of ministries.
2. Suggesting cut motions while considering demands for grants.
3. Examining bills pertaining to the concerned ministries.
4. Considering annual reports of ministries.
How many of the activities listed above are functions of the Departmental Standing Committees?

Accepted Answer

Only two. The functions of Departmental Standing Committees include examining bills and considering annual reports. However, they are explicitly barred from considering matters of day-to-day administration and from suggesting anything of the nature of cut motions. Therefore, only two of the listed activities are functions of these committees.

Question 18

With reference to the Departmentally-Related Standing Committees (DRSCs), consider the following statements:
1. The DRSC system was first set up in the Parliament in 1993.
2. The total number of DRSCs was increased from 17 to 24 in the year 2004.
3. Out of the 24 standing committees, 16 work under the Rajya Sabha and 8 under the Lok Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

3 only. Statements 1 and 2 are factually correct. The DRSC system began in 1993 and was expanded to 24 committees in 2004. Statement 3 is incorrect; the distribution is the other way around, with 16 committees working under the Lok Sabha and 8 under the Rajya Sabha.

Question 19

Statement I: The members of the Departmental Standing Committees from the Lok Sabha are nominated by the Speaker, while members from the Rajya Sabha are nominated by the Chairman.
Statement II: If a member of a standing committee is appointed as a minister, they cease to be a member of that committee.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I.. Both statements are correct and describe distinct procedural aspects of the Departmental Standing Committees. Statement I describes the nomination process by the presiding officers of the respective Houses. Statement II describes a rule for cessation of membership upon becoming a minister. However, the rule in Statement II does not explain the nomination process in Statement I; they are two independent facts about the committees' functioning.

Question 20

With reference to Departmental Standing Committees, consider the following statements:
1. Their main objective is to secure the financial accountability of the Executive to the Parliament.
2. They cover under their jurisdiction all the ministries and departments of the Central Government.
3. They were established based on the recommendation of the Rules Committee of the Lok Sabha.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

All three. All three statements are correct. The main objective of the standing committees is to secure more accountability of the Executive, particularly financial accountability. They cover all ministries/departments of the Central Government. They were initially set up in 1993 on the recommendation of the Rules Committee of the Lok Sabha.

Question 21

Consider the following statements regarding the Committee on Petitions:
1. The committee in the Lok Sabha has more members than its counterpart in the Rajya Sabha.
2. Its functions include entertaining representations from individuals on matters related to Union subjects.
3. It examines cases of breach of privileges of the House.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only. Statement 3 is incorrect. The examination of cases of breach of privileges is the function of the Committee of Privileges, not the Committee on Petitions. The Committee on Petitions has 15 members in the Lok Sabha and 10 in the Rajya Sabha, and it does entertain representations from individuals and associations.

Question 22

With reference to parliamentary committees, consider the following statements:
1. The Ethics Committee was first constituted in the Lok Sabha.
2. The Committee of Privileges in the Rajya Sabha consists of 15 members.
3. The Ethics Committee was constituted in the Rajya Sabha before the year 2000.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Only statement 3 is correct. The Ethics Committee was constituted in the Rajya Sabha in 1997. Statement 1 is incorrect because it was constituted first in the Rajya Sabha (1997) and later in the Lok Sabha (2000). Statement 2 is incorrect because the Committee of Privileges in the Rajya Sabha has 10 members, while the Lok Sabha committee has 15.

Question 23

Which of the following statements regarding the Committee of Privileges is NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

The committee in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have an equal number of members.. The statement that the committees in both houses have an equal number of members is incorrect. The Lok Sabha's Committee of Privileges has 15 members, while the Rajya Sabha's committee has 10 members.

Question 24

Consider the following pairs:
Committee : Primary Function
1. Committee on Petitions : Enforcing the code of conduct of members
2. Committee of Privileges : Examining petitions on bills
3. Ethics Committee : Maintaining discipline and decorum in Parliament
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only one pair. Only the third pair is correctly matched. The Ethics Committee is tasked with enforcing the code of conduct and maintaining discipline. The Committee on Petitions examines petitions on bills, and the Committee of Privileges deals with breaches of privilege. Therefore, the first two pairs are incorrectly matched.

Question 25

Statement I: The Ethics Committee of the Parliament is engaged in maintaining discipline and decorum in the House.
Statement II: The Ethics Committee was constituted in the Rajya Sabha in 1997 and in the Lok Sabha in 2000.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II is NOT the correct explanation for Statement I.. Both statements are factually correct. The Ethics Committee's role is to maintain discipline, and it was established in 1997 (Rajya Sabha) and 2000 (Lok Sabha). However, the dates of its constitution (Statement II) are historical facts and do not serve as a direct explanation for its function (Statement I). The two statements are independent correct facts.

Question 26

Consider the following statements regarding Parliamentary Committees:
1. The Committee on Subordinate Legislation examines whether powers delegated by Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive.
2. The Committee on Papers Laid on the Table examines statutory notifications and orders that fall under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation.
3. Both the Committee on Subordinate Legislation and the Committee on Papers Laid on the Table were constituted in 1953.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only. Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Committee on Papers Laid on the Table explicitly does not examine statutory notifications and orders that fall under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation. Statement 3 is incorrect because while the Committee on Subordinate Legislation was constituted in 1953, the Committee on Papers Laid on the Table was constituted in 1975.

Question 27

Consider the following pairs:
1. Committee on Government Assurances (Lok Sabha) : 15 members
2. Committee on Subordinate Legislation (Rajya Sabha) : 10 members
3. Committee on Papers Laid on the Table (Rajya Sabha) : 10 members
4. Joint Committee on Offices of Profit : 15 members
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only three pairs. Pair 1 is correct; the Lok Sabha committee has 15 members. Pair 2 is incorrect; the Committee on Subordinate Legislation has 15 members in both Houses. Pair 3 is correct; the Rajya Sabha committee has 10 members. Pair 4 is correct; the Joint Committee on Offices of Profit has a total of 15 members (10 from Lok Sabha and 5 from Rajya Sabha). Therefore, three pairs are correctly matched.

Question 28

Statement I: The Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs and the Committee on the Empowerment of Women both consist of 30 members, with 20 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.
Statement II: The primary function of both these committees involves considering the reports of their respective National Commissions and examining the implementation of welfare measures for the concerned groups.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II is NOT the correct explanation for Statement I.. Both statements are factually correct. Both committees have a composition of 30 members (20 LS, 10 RS). Both committees also have the function of considering reports from their respective National Commissions and examining welfare measures. However, the function of the committees (Statement II) does not explain their membership composition (Statement I). They are two independent facts about the committees.

Question 29

With reference to the Committee on Papers Laid on the Table, consider the following statements:
1. It examines papers laid by ministers to check for compliance with the provisions of the Constitution.
2. It has jurisdiction over statutory notifications and orders delegated by the Parliament.
3. The committee in the Lok Sabha has more members than its counterpart in the Rajya Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only. Statement 1 is correct as the committee's role is to see if papers comply with the Constitution, Act, or Rule. Statement 2 is incorrect as the committee's jurisdiction explicitly excludes statutory notifications and orders that are handled by the Committee on Subordinate Legislation. Statement 3 is correct as the Lok Sabha committee has 15 members, while the Rajya Sabha committee has 10.

Question 30

Consider the following statements regarding Parliamentary Committees:
1. The Committee on Government Assurances was constituted in 1953.
2. The Committee on Subordinate Legislation has a total strength of 30 members across both houses.
3. The Committee on Empowerment of Women was constituted in 1975.
4. The Joint Committee on Offices of Profit comprises members from Lok Sabha only.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is correct, as the committee consists of 15 members in the Lok Sabha and 15 members in the Rajya Sabha, making a total of 30. Statement 3 is incorrect; it was constituted in 1997. Statement 4 is incorrect; it is a joint committee with 10 members from Lok Sabha and 5 from Rajya Sabha. Thus, only two statements are correct.

Question 31

With reference to the Business Advisory Committee, consider the following statements:
1. In the Lok Sabha, it consists of 15 members including the Speaker as its chairman.
2. In the Rajya Sabha, it has 11 members including the Chairman as its ex-officio chairman.
3. It allocates time for the transaction of legislative and other business brought before the House by the government.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3. The Business Advisory Committee regulates the House's timetable and allocates time for government business. The Lok Sabha committee has 15 members chaired by the Speaker, and the Rajya Sabha committee has 11 members chaired by the Chairman. All three statements are correct.

Question 32

Consider the following pairs:
1. Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions : A special committee of the Lok Sabha only.
2. Committee on Absence of Members : Dealt with by the House itself in the Rajya Sabha.
3. Rules Committee : Chaired by the Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha.
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two pairs. Pair 1 is correct as this committee is exclusive to the Lok Sabha. Pair 2 is correct as the Rajya Sabha does not have this committee and the House itself handles such matters. Pair 3 is incorrect because the Rules Committee of the Lok Sabha is chaired by the Speaker, not the Deputy Speaker. Therefore, only two pairs are correctly matched.

Question 33

Consider the following statements regarding the composition of parliamentary committees:
1. The Rules Committee of the Rajya Sabha consists of 16 members.
2. The Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions has 15 members.
3. The Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha consists of 11 members.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

3 only. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha comprises 15 members, including the Speaker. The corresponding committee in the Rajya Sabha has 11 members. Statements 1 and 2 are correct as stated.

Question 34

Statement I: The Lok Sabha has a special committee, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, to classify and allocate time for business introduced by private members.
Statement II: The Rajya Sabha does not have a dedicated committee for private members' business; this function is carried out by its Business Advisory Committee.

Accepted Answer

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I.. Both statements accurately describe the distinct mechanisms in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for managing business introduced by private members. The Lok Sabha has a specialized Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions, whereas in the Rajya Sabha, this responsibility is handled by the Business Advisory Committee. The statements are independent, correct facts about the procedures in the two Houses.

Question 35

Consider the following committees:
1. Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha
2. Rules Committee of the Lok Sabha
3. Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha
4. Rules Committee of the Rajya Sabha
In
how many of the above committees is the Presiding Officer (Speaker/Chairman) of the House the ex-officio chairman?

Accepted Answer

All four. The Presiding Officer of the House (Speaker in Lok Sabha, Chairman in Rajya Sabha) serves as the ex-officio chairman for both the Business Advisory Committee and the Rules Committee in their respective Houses. Therefore, all four listed committees are chaired by the Presiding Officer.

Question 36

Consider the following statements regarding the General Purposes Committee of a House of Parliament:
1. The presiding officer of the House serves as its ex-officio chairman.
2. It includes the chairpersons of all the departmental standing committees of that House.
3. It is primarily responsible for matters concerning residential accommodation and medical aid for members.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only. Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The General Purposes Committee is chaired by the presiding officer and its members include chairpersons of all departmental standing committees. Statement 3 is incorrect; residential accommodation and other amenities for members are handled by the House Committee, not the General Purposes Committee.

Question 37

Consider the following pairs:
Committee : Function/Composition
1. House Committee : Assists members in utilising library services
2. Library Committee : Consists of nine members from both Houses
3. Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances : Frames rules for regulating payment of salary to members
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two pairs. Pair 1 is incorrect; the House Committee deals with accommodation and amenities, while the Library Committee assists with library services. Pair 2 is correct; the Library Committee is a joint committee with 9 members (6 from Lok Sabha, 3 from Rajya Sabha). Pair 3 is correct; the Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances frames rules for salary, allowances, and pension for MPs. Therefore, only two pairs are correctly matched.

Question 38

With reference to the House Committee of Parliament, consider the following statements:
1. The House Committee in the Lok Sabha consists of 15 members.
2. It is responsible for assisting members in utilising the services of the Parliament's library.
3. It deals with amenities like food and medical aid accorded to members in their houses and hostels in Delhi.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only. Statement 1 is incorrect; the House Committee in the Lok Sabha consists of 12 members. Statement 2 is incorrect; assisting with library services is the function of the Library Committee. Statement 3 is correct as the House Committee deals with residential accommodation and other amenities like food and medical aid. The question asks for the incorrect statements.

Question 39

Statement I: The Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament was constituted under an Act of Parliament.
Statement II: This committee has an equal representation of members from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Accepted Answer

Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. Statement I is correct as the committee was constituted under the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954, making it a statutory body. Statement II is incorrect because the committee consists of 15 members, with 10 from the Lok Sabha and 5 from the Rajya Sabha, which is not an equal representation.

Question 40

Consider the following committees of the Parliament and their stated composition:
1. House Committee (Lok Sabha) : 12 members
2. Library Committee : 9 members
3. Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances : 15 members
How many of the above are correctly stated?

Accepted Answer

All three. The House Committee of the Lok Sabha indeed has 12 members. The Library Committee is a joint committee with a total of 9 members (6 from Lok Sabha and 3 from Rajya Sabha). The Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances has a total of 15 members (10 from Lok Sabha and 5 from Rajya Sabha). Therefore, all three statements regarding the composition are correct.

Question 41

Consider the following statements regarding Consultative Committees in the Indian Parliament:
1. These committees are permanent in nature and continue to function irrespective of the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
2. The meetings of the Informal Consultative Committees for Railway Zones are arranged both during the session and the inter-session periods of Parliament.
3. The guidelines concerning the composition and functions of these committees are formulated by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only. Statement 1 is incorrect because Consultative Committees are dissolved upon the dissolution of every Lok Sabha and are reconstituted after a new Lok Sabha is formed. Statement 2 is incorrect because the meetings of Informal Consultative Committees for Railway Zones are held only during session periods. Statement 3 is correct as the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs constitutes these committees and formulates their guidelines.

Question 42

Statement I: Consultative Committees attached to various ministries are chaired by the respective Minister or Minister of State.
Statement II: These committees are vested with the power to conduct formal scrutiny of the government's policies and their implementation.

Accepted Answer

Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. Statement I is correct; the Minister or Minister of State in charge of the ministry acts as the chairman of the consultative committee for that ministry. Statement II is incorrect because these committees are explicitly designed to be a forum for 'informal discussions', not for formal scrutiny or investigation.

Question 43

Consider the following pairs:
Committee : Ministry/Department Covered
1. Committee on Commerce : Ministry of Corporate Affairs
2. Committee on Labour : Ministry of Textiles
3. Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment : Ministry of Tribal Affairs
4. Committee on Home Affairs : Ministry of Law and Justice
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Accepted Answer

Only two pairs. Pair 1 is incorrect; the Committee on Commerce covers the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Pair 2 is correct; the Committee on Labour covers the Ministry of Textiles, among others. Pair 3 is correct; the Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment covers the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, among others. Pair 4 is incorrect; the Committee on Home Affairs covers the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region.

Question 44

With reference to the Consultative Committees, consider the following statements:
1. Membership in these committees is mandatory for the Members of Parliament nominated by their party leaders.
2. They are composed of members from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
3. The maximum membership of a committee is fixed at 30.
4. They are constituted by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two statements. Statement 1 is incorrect; membership is voluntary. Statement 2 is correct; they consist of members from both Houses. Statement 3 is correct; the maximum membership is 30. Statement 4 is incorrect; they are constituted by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. Therefore, only two statements (2 and 3) are correct.

Question 45

With reference to the Departmentally Related Standing Committees, consider the following statements:
1. The Ministry of Jal Shakti is examined by the Committee on Water Resources.
2. The Committee on Human Resource Development oversees the work of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
3. The Ministry of External Affairs falls under the purview of the Committee on Defence.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only. Statement 1 is correct; the Committee on Water Resources covers the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Statement 2 is correct; the Committee on Human Resource Development covers the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Statement 3 is incorrect; there is a separate Committee on External Affairs to examine the work of the Ministry of External Affairs.

Question 46

In the context of the ongoing discussion about strengthening parliamentary oversight, consider the following committees:
1. Joint Committee on Bofors Contract
2. Committee on Public Undertakings
3. Select Committee on a Bill
4. Railway Convention Committee

How many of the committees listed above are classified as Ad Hoc Committees?

Accepted Answer

Only three. Ad Hoc Committees are temporary and created for a specific task. Based on the static text: 1. The Joint Committee on Bofors Contract is an example of an Ad Hoc Inquiry Committee. 3. A Select Committee on a Bill is an Ad Hoc Advisory Committee. 4. The Railway Convention Committee is also listed as an example of an Ad Hoc Inquiry Committee. The Committee on Public Undertakings (2) is a permanent Standing Financial Committee. Therefore, three of the listed committees are Ad Hoc.

Question 47

Considering the recent submission of the Annual Report by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) to the President, evaluate the correctness of the following statements regarding the subsequent parliamentary process and the institutions involved:

1. The NCSC is constitutionally mandated to submit its annual report directly to the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs.
2. The Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs, which examines the NCSC's report, is a joint committee comprising 30 members, with 20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
3. The NCSC was established as a separate body from the NCST by the 65th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1990.
4. The Committee on Papers Laid on the Table is responsible for the initial examination of the NCSC report to ensure it complies with constitutional provisions before it is taken up by the specialized committee.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only one. Statement 1 is incorrect; the NCSC submits its report to the President (Article 338), not directly to a parliamentary committee. Statement 2 is correct; the static content confirms the composition of the Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs is 30 members (20 LS, 10 RS). Statement 3 is incorrect; the NCSC was separated from the NCST by the 89th Amendment Act, 2003. The 65th Amendment created a multi-member combined commission. Statement 4 is incorrect; the static text explicitly states that the Committee on Papers Laid on the Table does not examine statutory notifications and orders that fall under the jurisdiction of other committees like the Committee on Subordinate Legislation, and its primary role is not a pre-screening for specialized committees like the one for SC/ST welfare. Therefore, only one statement is correct.

Question 48

A private member's bill proposing a minimum of 100 sitting days for Parliament was recently introduced in the Rajya Sabha. In this context, consider the following statements regarding the procedural handling of this bill in the Upper House:

1. The bill will be first examined by the 'Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions' of the Rajya Sabha to classify it and allocate time for discussion.
2. The Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha will be responsible for allocating time for the transaction of this legislative business.
3. The committee tasked with allocating time for this bill in the Rajya Sabha is chaired by the Chairman of the House in an ex-officio capacity.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

Only two. Statement 1 is incorrect because the Rajya Sabha does not have a dedicated 'Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions'. Statement 2 is correct as this function in the Rajya Sabha is performed by its Business Advisory Committee. Statement 3 is also correct because the Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha has 11 members, with the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha serving as its ex-officio chairman. Therefore, only two statements are correct.

Parliamentary Committees

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