UPSC Prelims 2014 GS Paper I · Q18 of 100 Polity & Governance easy

Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?

  1. (a) The Committee on Public Accounts
  2. (b) The Committee on Estimates ✓ UPSC's answer
  3. (c) The Committee on Public Undertakings
  4. (d) The Committee on Petitions

Why the answer is (b)

• The Estimates Committee has 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha, making it the largest parliamentary committee — option (b).

• The Public Accounts Committee (a) and Committee on Public Undertakings (c) have 22 members each (15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha); the Committee on Petitions (d) has 15.

• The Estimates Committee examines whether budget estimates are economical and suggests efficiencies.

• Hence option (b).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) The Committee on Public Accounts
PAC has 22 members.
(c) The Committee on Public Undertakings
COPU has 22 members.
(d) The Committee on Petitions
The Petitions Committee has 15 members.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2014, held on 24 August 2014. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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