The Departmental Committee of the Parliament of India on the Welfare of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) shall 1. examine whether the Union Government has secured due representation of the SCs and the STs in the services and posts under its control 2. report on the working of the welfare programmes for the SCs and the STs in the Union Territories Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. Classification and Role of Parliamentary Committees (basic)

Welcome to your first step in understanding how our Parliament actually functions behind the scenes! Imagine the Parliament as a massive engine; while the main chamber (the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha) is where the final decisions are announced, the actual fine-tuning and heavy lifting happen in Parliamentary Committees. Because the Parliament has a limited amount of time and a massive workload, it delegates detailed scrutiny of bills, budgets, and policies to these smaller, specialized groups of members.

To be technically called a "Parliamentary Committee," a body must satisfy four specific criteria: it must be appointed or elected by the House (or nominated by the presiding officer), work under the direction of the Speaker or Chairman, present its report to the House or the presiding officer, and be supported by a secretariat provided by the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Chapter 24, p.270. This is why "Consultative Committees," though they consist of MPs, are not considered parliamentary committees—they don't meet these strict procedural requirements.

Broadly, we classify these committees into two categories based on their nature and duration:

Type	Nature	Function
Standing Committees	Permanent and continuous.	They are reconstituted every year or periodically and handle routine work like department supervision or financial oversight.
Ad Hoc Committees	Temporary and specific.	They are created for a specific task (like inquiring into a scam or examining a particular Bill) and cease to exist once their report is submitted.

Since 1993, the system has evolved significantly with the introduction of Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs). There are currently 24 such committees that supervise the work of various departments, ensuring that the executive (the government) remains accountable to the legislature for its expenditure and policy implementation NCERT Class XI, Indian Constitution at Work, Chapter 5, p.118. This system ensures that even when the Parliament isn't in session, the work of oversight never stops.

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees, p.270; Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 5: Legislature, p.118

2. Financial Oversight: PAC, Estimates, and COPU (basic)

In a democracy, the Parliament holds the "power of the purse," but since the full House is too large to scrutinize every transaction, it delegates this task to three specialized Financial Committees. These committees act as the eyes and ears of the taxpayer, ensuring that the government spends money wisely, legally, and efficiently.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is often described as a "post-mortem" committee. Its primary job is to examine the audit reports submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) regarding the government’s actual expenditure Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Chapter 24, p.272. It doesn't just look for technical accounting errors; it investigates propriety—meaning it asks if the spending was wise, prudent, or wasteful, even if it was technically legal. Because it reviews money after it has been spent, it serves as a powerful deterrent against corruption and extravagance.

In contrast, the Estimates Committee is known as the "Continuous Economy Committee." Instead of looking backward, it looks at the budget estimates to suggest economies, improvements in organization, and administrative reforms Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Chapter 24, p.273. It essentially searches for ways to get the same results with less money. A unique feature of this committee is that all its 30 members are drawn only from the Lok Sabha, as the Lok Sabha has primary authority over financial matters.

Finally, the Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) focuses specifically on the performance of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like LIC or Air India (historically). Created in 1964 on the recommendation of the Krishna Menon Committee, it ensures these entities are run on sound business principles and commercial practices Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Chapter 24, p.273.

Feature	Public Accounts (PAC)	Estimates Committee	COPU
Membership	22 (15 LS + 7 RS)	30 (All Lok Sabha)	22 (15 LS + 7 RS)
Key Role	Examines CAG Audit Reports	Suggests administrative efficiency	Examines PSU reports/accounts

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees, p.270-273

3. Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) (intermediate)

Imagine the Parliament as a massive organization. It is impossible for the entire House to scrutinize every single bill or verify every rupee spent by the government in detail. To solve this, the Parliament uses Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)—often called "mini-parliaments." These committees act as specialized watchdogs that examine the functioning of various ministries throughout the year, ensuring that the Executive remains accountable to the Legislature.

Currently, there are 24 DRSCs covering all the ministries and departments of the Union Government Indian Polity, Parliamentary Committees, p.270. Each committee is composed of 31 members: 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. A fundamental rule of their composition is that a Minister cannot be a member of these committees. This is to prevent the person being "watched" from sitting on the committee that is doing the "watching," thereby maintaining the committee's independence.

The role of these committees becomes most visible during the Budget Session. After the Finance Minister presents the budget and a general discussion takes place, the Houses adjourn for a few weeks (recess). During this period, the DRSCs dive deep into the Demands for Grants of their respective ministries Indian Economy, Government Budgeting, p.148. They prepare detailed reports suggesting where expenses could be streamlined or policies improved. Aside from the budget, they also examine Bills referred to them, scrutinize Annual Reports, and evaluate long-term policy documents.

Feature	Description
Total Committees	24 (16 under Lok Sabha; 8 under Rajya Sabha)
Composition	31 Members (21 from LS, 10 from RS)
Membership Rule	Ministers are strictly ineligible for membership
Nature of Work	Scrutinize Demands for Grants, Bills, and Annual Reports

It is important to note that these committees are advisory. While their reports carry immense weight and are usually respected by the government, their recommendations are not binding. They also do not intervene in the day-to-day administration of the ministries Indian Polity, Parliamentary Committees, p.275.

Sources: Indian Polity, Parliamentary Committees, p.270; Indian Polity, Parliamentary Committees, p.275; Indian Economy, Government Budgeting, p.148

4. Constitutional Safeguards for SCs and STs (intermediate)

To understand the safeguards for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), we must first appreciate the constitutional philosophy of substantive equality. The Indian Constitution does not just mandate 'equal treatment' (which might ignore historical disadvantages); it actively empowers the State to create a level playing field. These safeguards are broadly divided into Political Reservation and Service Safeguards. Under Articles 330 and 332, seats are reserved in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies based on population ratios Indian Polity, Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes, p.557. While originally intended to be temporary, these provisions have been extended periodically, most recently by the 104th Amendment Act (2019), which pushes the deadline to 2030.

Beyond the legislature, the Constitution protects the presence of these communities in the administration. Article 16(4) allows the State to provide reservations in appointments if a class is not adequately represented Indian Constitution at Work, Rights in the Indian Constitution, p.32. This was further strengthened by the 77th Amendment Act (1995), which inserted Article 16(4A) to permit reservations in promotions as well Introduction to the Constitution of India, Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties, p.114. However, these claims must be balanced with Article 335, which reminds the State that the 'efficiency of administration' must be maintained while making these appointments Indian Polity, Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes, p.557.

The most critical aspect for a student of Parliamentary procedures is how these rights are monitored. Because the executive (the government) is responsible for implementing these quotas and welfare schemes, Parliament exercises oversight through the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This committee consists of 30 members (20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha). Its job is to act as a watchdog, examining the annual reports of the National Commissions for SCs and STs and ensuring that the Union government is actually securing due representation in central services and properly running welfare programs in Union Territories Indian Polity, Parliamentary Committees, p.278.

Sources: Indian Polity, Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes, p.557; Indian Constitution at Work, Rights in the Indian Constitution, p.32; Introduction to the Constitution of India, Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties, p.114; Indian Polity, Parliamentary Committees, p.278

5. National Commissions for SCs and STs (intermediate)

To understand the protection of marginalized communities in India, we must look at the bedrock of our Constitution. Article 46 acts as a 'Directive Principle,' mandating that the State promote the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) while protecting them from social injustice D. D. Basu, Minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, p.459. However, to move from mere 'directives' to actual 'enforcement,' the Constitution established powerful oversight bodies: the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (Art. 338) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (Art. 338-A). These are not merely statutory bodies created by an Act of Parliament; they are Constitutional bodies, meaning their existence and authority are rooted directly in the supreme law of the land Laxmikanth, National Commission for SCs, p.436.

While these Commissions act as watchdogs, they need a bridge to the legislature to ensure their findings lead to policy changes. This is where the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs comes in. This standing committee consists of 30 members (20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha). Its primary duty is to examine the annual reports submitted by the National Commissions. They scrutinize whether the Union government is ensuring due representation for these communities in public services and how welfare programs are performing, especially in Union Territories which are under the Union's direct care Laxmikanth, Parliamentary Committees, p.278.

To carry out these heavy responsibilities, the Commissions are vested with the powers of a Civil Court during investigations. This is a critical 'power tool' in their arsenal, allowing them to summon officials, demand documents, and receive evidence on oath Laxmikanth, National Commission for STs, p.439.

Feature	National Commission for SCs	National Commission for STs
Constitutional Article	Article 338	Article 338-A
Nature of Power	Civil Court powers	Civil Court powers
Reporting	Reports to the President	Reports to the President

Sources: Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.), Minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, p.459; Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill., National Commission for SCs, p.436; Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill., National Commission for STs, p.438-439; Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill., Parliamentary Committees, p.278

6. Administration and Welfare in Union Territories (intermediate)

In the structure of the Indian federation, Union Territories (UTs) occupy a unique position. Unlike States, which enjoy a degree of autonomy, UTs are units administered directly by the Central Government. Under Articles 239 to 241 in Part VIII of the Constitution, every UT is administered by the President acting through an Administrator Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), Chapter 40, p. 411. While some UTs like Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir have their own legislatures, the Parliament retains supreme legislative power over all UTs, even on subjects usually reserved for States Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.), Distribution of Legislative and Executive Powers, p. 376. This direct responsibility means that the Union government is the primary guardian of welfare and social justice within these territories. Because the Union government holds such direct control, Parliamentary oversight becomes critical to ensure that marginalized communities are not neglected. This is where the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) plays a pivotal role. This standing committee consists of 30 members (20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha). Its mandate is not just to examine the reports of the National Commissions for SCs and STs, but to specifically monitor how the Union executive is performing in its "direct" jurisdictions. One of the committee's most vital functions is to report on the working of welfare programmes for SCs and STs in the Union Territories Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), Chapter 24, p. 278. While a state government is accountable to its own state legislature for such programs, the Union's administration of UTs is held accountable by this Parliamentary Committee. It ensures that constitutional safeguards and reservation policies in services and posts are strictly implemented where the Central Government is the employer and administrator.

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), Chapter 40: Union Territories, p.411; Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.), Distribution of Legislative and Executive Powers, p.376; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees, p.278

7. Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs: Specific Mandate (exam-level)

In the landscape of Parliamentary oversight, the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) serves as a dedicated guardian of social justice. To understand its mandate, we must first look at its composition: it is a joint committee consisting of 30 members, with 20 drawn from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha Indian Polity, Parliamentary Committees, p.278. Unlike Departmental Related Standing Committees, this committee has a very narrow, high-impact focus: ensuring that the executive branch is actually fulfilling its constitutional promises to marginalized communities.

The core of this committee's work revolves around three primary pillars of responsibility. First, it is tasked with the meticulous examination of reports submitted by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. These commissions are constitutional bodies established under Articles 338 and 338-A respectively Indian Polity, National Commission for STs, p.438. When these commissions highlight gaps in social progress, the Committee brings those issues to the floor of Parliament to demand executive accountability.

Beyond report-reading, the committee has a proactive "watchdog" mandate. It examines whether the Union Government is securing due representation for SCs and STs in services and posts under its control. This involves monitoring the implementation of reservation policies and other statutory safeguards. Furthermore, the committee pays special attention to Union Territories; since UTs are under the direct administrative control of the Union, the committee scrutinizes the working of welfare programs specifically in these regions to ensure no community is left behind Indian Polity, Parliamentary Committees, p.278.

Sources: Indian Polity, Parliamentary Committees, p.278; Indian Polity, National Commission for STs, p.438

8. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

This question tests your understanding of Parliamentary Committees as instruments of Executive Accountability. Having just learned about the structure of the Parliament, you know that while the legislature makes laws, committees like the Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs ensure those laws and constitutional safeguards are actually implemented. As detailed in Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), this committee acts as a watchdog, specifically monitoring whether the Union Government is fulfilling its obligations toward marginalized communities under Article 335 and other statutory provisions.

To arrive at the correct answer, evaluate the scope of the Union's authority. Statement 1 is a core function: the committee must examine if the Union Government has secured due representation in services and posts under its control, which is the primary mechanism for social inclusion in the bureaucracy. Statement 2 might seem tricky, but remember that Union Territories are under the direct administrative purview of the Union. Therefore, the committee naturally extends its oversight to welfare programs within these territories to ensure uniform progress. Since both statements align with the committee's mandate to hold the central executive accountable for SC/ST welfare, the correct answer is (C) Both 1 and 2.

Common UPSC traps often involve limiting the jurisdiction of a body to make you doubt one of the options. You might have been tempted by (A) if you assumed the committee only looked at recruitment reports, or (B) if you thought UTs were handled by a different body. However, in the context of Indian administration, the Union's responsibility is the common thread in both statements. Always look for the logical link between the administrative authority (the Union) and the oversight body (the Parliamentary Committee) to avoid being misled by narrow interpretations.