UPSC Prelims 2014 Q18: Indian Polity – Parliament & State Legislatures
Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?
- (a) The Committee on Public Accounts
- (b) The Committee on Estimates
- (c) The Committee on Public Undertakings
- (d) The Committee on Petitions
Answer: (b) The Committee on Estimates
Explanation
Largest Committee of the Parliament
The Committee on Estimates is the largest, with 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha.
| Committee | Members | From |
|---|---|---|
| Estimates Committee | 30 | Lok Sabha only |
| Public Accounts Committee | 22 | 15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha |
| Committee on Public Undertakings | 22 | 15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha |
| Committee on Petitions (Lok Sabha) | 15 | Lok Sabha |
About the Estimates Committee:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Set up | 1950, on the suggestion of John Mathai |
| Work | Examines budget estimates and suggests economies in spending |
| Nickname | 'Continuous economy committee' |
| Minister | A Minister cannot be a member |
Answer: (b) The Committee on Estimates.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Committee on Public Accounts has 22 members.
- (b) CORRECT. The Committee on Estimates is the largest, with 30 members.
- (c) Incorrect. The Committee on Public Undertakings has 22 members.
- (d) Incorrect. The Committee on Petitions of the Lok Sabha has 15 members.
Key point
Estimates Committee: 30 members, Lok Sabha only, set up 1950; PAC and COPU have 22 each (15 + 7).
Remember
Largest committee = Estimates Committee (30).
Common mistakes
- Choosing the Public Accounts Committee because it is the best known.
- Thinking the Estimates Committee has Rajya Sabha members.
- Forgetting that the PAC chairman is from the Opposition by convention.
Exam tip
Estimates = 30, all Lok Sabha. PAC and COPU = 22 each.
Sources
- Lok Sabha Secretariat — Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha (Financial Committees)
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity, chapter on Parliamentary Committees