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Parliamentary Financial Committees: PAC, Estimates & COPU GK Questions & Answers

Parliamentary financial oversight in India is exercised through three specialized standing committees: the Public Accounts Committee, the Estimates Committee, and the Committee on Public Undertakings. The Public Accounts Committee, set up in 1921 under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms pursuant to the Government of India Act 1919, consists of twenty-two members, with fifteen drawn from the Lok Sabha and seven from the Rajya Sabha. Members are elected annually through proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, ensuring cross-party representation. Since 1967, an unbroken parliamentary convention requires the Speaker to appoint the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee from the opposition. The committee examines the Appropriation Accounts and Finance Accounts of the Union Government, aided by the Comptroller and Auditor General under Article 151. The Estimates Committee, constituted in 1950 upon the recommendation of Finance Minister John Mathai, is the largest parliamentary committee with thirty members, drawn exclusively from the Lok Sabha. Known as a continuous economy committee, it suggests administrative efficiencies and financial economies in governance. The Committee on Public Undertakings, established in 1964 following the Krishna Menon Committee report, comprises twenty-two members examining state-owned enterprises. Ministers are statutory barred from membership across all three financial committees.

Essential Concepts & Key Facts

High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.

  • The Public Accounts Committee was established in 1921 pursuant to the provisions of the Government of India Act 1919.
  • The Public Accounts Committee comprises 22 members: 15 elected from the Lok Sabha and 7 elected from the Rajya Sabha.
  • Members of financial committees are elected annually using proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
  • By a convention established in 1967, the Speaker appoints the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee from the opposition benches.
  • The Comptroller and Auditor General acts as a friend, philosopher, and guide to the Public Accounts Committee during audit hearings.
  • The Estimates Committee was established in 1950 on the recommendation of then Finance Minister John Mathai.
  • The Estimates Committee is the largest committee of Parliament, consisting of 30 members drawn exclusively from the Lok Sabha.
  • The Estimates Committee functions as a continuous economy committee, examining budget estimates to suggest administrative efficiencies.
  • The Committee on Public Undertakings was established in 1964 based on the recommendations of the Krishna Menon Committee.
  • The Committee on Public Undertakings consists of 22 members, comprising 15 members from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha.
  • The Chairman of the Committee on Public Undertakings is appointed by the Speaker exclusively from amongst the Lok Sabha members.
  • Under parliamentary rules of procedure, a Union Minister is ineligible for election to any of the three financial committees.
  • If a sitting member of a financial committee is appointed as a Union Minister, the member immediately ceases to be on the committee.
  • The tenure of office for members across the Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee, and COPU is strictly one year.
  • The findings and recommendations of parliamentary financial committees are advisory and are not legally binding on executive ministries.
Showing 10 Curated Questions51 Total in Bank
Practice in Studio
1ID: GK-POL-00639
hardUnion Executive & Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Indian Parliament consists of 22 members elected by proportional representation. What is the exact composition of its membership across the two Houses?
Verified Explanation
The Public Accounts Committee consists of 22 members (15 elected from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha) for a term of one year, traditionally chaired by a leader of the Opposition.
2ID: GK-POL-00514
hardUnion Executive & Parliament
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament consists of 22 members. What is the exact proportional breakup between the two Houses?
Verified Explanation
The Public Accounts Committee consists of not more than 22 members—15 elected by Lok Sabha and 7 elected by Rajya Sabha—according to proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.
3ID: GK-POL-00786
mediumUnion Executive & The Parliament of India
What is the total membership and parliamentary composition of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)?
Verified Explanation
The Public Accounts Committee consists of 22 members (15 elected from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha) elected annually by proportional representation by means of single transferable vote. A Minister cannot be elected to the committee.
4ID: GK-POL-00888
hardUnion Executive & The Parliament of India
What is the total membership of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and what is the distribution between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
Verified Explanation
The Public Accounts Committee consists of 22 members (15 elected from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha) through proportional representation by means of single transferable vote. By parliamentary convention dating to 1967, its Chairman is drawn from the opposition.
5ID: GK-POL-00986
mediumUnion Executive & The Parliament of India
Which parliamentary convention is strictly followed in India regarding the appointment of the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)?
Verified Explanation
The Public Accounts Committee consists of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha). Since 1967, an established parliamentary convention requires the Speaker to appoint a member from the Opposition party to chair the PAC, ensuring non-partisan oversight over public spending.
6ID: GK-POL-00112
mediumUnion Executive Parliament
The "Public Accounts Committee" (PAC) of Parliament, which examines the audit reports of the CAG, consists of how many members?
Verified Explanation
The PAC has 22 members elected by proportional representation via single transferable vote; by convention, its chairman is from the opposition.
7ID: GK-POL-00384
mediumConstitutional & Statutory Bodies
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament consists of how many total members from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
Verified Explanation
The Public Accounts Committee consists of 22 members: 15 elected from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha for a one-year term.
8ID: GK-TAX-00233
easyFiscal Deficits, FRBM Act & Public Debt Dynamics
Which parliamentary committee is mandated to examine the Appropriation Accounts of the Government of India and the audit reports submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)?
Verified Explanation
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), consisting of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha), is tasked with examining the Appropriation Accounts, Finance Accounts, and CAG audit reports to ensure that parliamentary expenditure grants were spent legally and economically. This statutory framework ensures transparent fiscal governance and compliance across Indian public finance.
9ID: GK-POL-00450
mediumUnion Executive & Parliament
Which Parliamentary Committee examines the appropriation accounts and the annual audit reports submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General?
Verified Explanation
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), consisting of 15 Lok Sabha and 7 Rajya Sabha members, examines CAG audit reports on public accounts to enforce executive financial accountability.
10ID: GK-POL-00381
mediumJudiciary & Supreme Court
Which parliamentary committee is known as the 'Twin Sister' of the Public Accounts Committee and examines the budget estimates of ministries?
Verified Explanation
The Estimates Committee, consisting of 30 members exclusively from Lok Sabha, examines budget estimates and suggests economies in expenditure.

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