CAPF AC 2021 Q49: Indian Polity – Parliament & State Legislatures
Which one of the following statements about Public Accounts Committee is correct?
- (a) The Committee consists of not more than 15 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 members from the Rajya Sabha.
- (b) The Finance Minister is an ex officio member of the Committee.
- (c) A member of the Committee is given a term for one year.
- (d) The term of the office of the members of the Committee from the Rajya Sabha is extended even when they retire from the Rajya Sabha.
Answer: (c) A member of the Committee is given a term for one year.
Explanation
Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
How to think: learn four facts about the PAC: size, who cannot join, term, chairman.
Then test each statement.
| Feature | Fact |
|---|---|
| Members | 22: 15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha |
| How chosen | Elected every year by proportional representation (single transferable vote) |
| Term | One year |
| Ministers | A minister cannot be a member |
| Chairman | Appointed by the Speaker; by convention from the Opposition since 1967 |
| Work | Examines the CAG's audit reports on government accounts |
Checking the four statements:
| Statement | Verdict |
|---|---|
| 15 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha | Wrong, it is 7 |
| The Finance Minister is an ex officio member | Wrong, no minister can be a member |
| A member has a one-year term | Right |
| A Rajya Sabha member continues after retiring from the House | Wrong, membership of the committee ends |
Answer: (c).
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Rajya Sabha sends 7 members, not 10; the total is 22.
- (b) Incorrect. A minister cannot be elected to the committee at all.
- (c) CORRECT. Members of the PAC are elected for a term of one year.
- (d) Incorrect. A member who retires from the Rajya Sabha ceases to be a member of the committee.
Key point
PAC: 22 members (15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha), elected yearly, one-year term, no ministers, chairman from the Opposition by convention, examines CAG reports. Set up in 1921.
Remember
PAC = 15 + 7, one year, no ministers.
Common mistakes
- Remembering the Rajya Sabha share as 10 instead of 7 members.
- Thinking the Finance Minister sits on the committee that audits his ministry.
- Mixing up the PAC (22 members) with the Estimates Committee (30, all from the Lok Sabha).
Exam tip
Educated guess: a committee that checks government spending cannot include a minister, so (b) falls. Financial committees are re-elected every year, which makes (c) the safe choice.
Sources
- Lok Sabha Secretariat — Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, Rules 308 and 309 (Committee on Public Accounts)
- NCERT Class XI Political Science — Indian Constitution at Work, Chapter 5: Legislature