UPSC Prelims 2007 Q52: Indian Polity – Parliament & State Legislatures
Consider the following statements:
1. The Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok
Sabha.
2. The Committee on Public Accounts comprises members of the Lok Sabha, members of the
Rajya Sabha, and a few eminent persons of the industry and trade.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
| Feature | Fact |
|---|---|
| Members | 22 — 15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha |
| Outsiders? | None — only MPs; no industry or trade experts |
| Chairman | Appointed by the Speaker from among the LS members |
| Convention | Since 1967, the Chairman is from the Opposition |
| Ministers | Cannot be members |
| Work | Examines CAG audit reports on appropriation and finance accounts |
Statement 1: Chairman appointed by the Speaker — TRUE.
Statement 2: Includes eminent persons from industry and trade — FALSE.
Parliamentary committees are made only of MPs.
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The Speaker appoints the PAC Chairman; membership is limited to 15 LS + 7 RS MPs.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is false — no outsiders sit on the PAC.
- (c) Incorrect. Only Statement 1 is true.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is true — the Speaker appoints the Chairman (Rule 258, Lok Sabha Rules).
Key point
PAC = 22 MPs (15 LS + 7 RS), no outsiders, Chairman appointed by the Speaker, by convention from the Opposition.
Remember
PAC: 15 LS + 7 RS, only MPs, Chairman appointed by the Speaker.
Common mistakes
- Thinking experts or industry representatives can be members. Only MPs sit on Parliamentary financial committees.
- Confusing the PAC (22 members, has RS members) with the Estimates Committee (30 members, LS only).
- Believing the Opposition-chairman rule is in the Constitution. It is only a convention since 1967.
Exam tip
Financial committee numbers: PAC 22, Estimates 30, COPU 22. Estimates Committee is the odd one out — Lok Sabha only.
Sources
- Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha — Rules 308-309, 258
- NCERT Class XI — Indian Constitution at Work, Ch 5 (Legislature)
- Lok Sabha Secretariat — Financial Committees