Question map
With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc. conferred by the Constitution or delegated by the Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation ?
Explanation
The correct answer is option B - Committee on Subordinate Legislation.
This committee examines and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules and bye-laws delegated by the Parliament or conferred by the Constitution to the Executive are being properly exercised by it.[2] The Committee scrutinizes all 'Orders' whether laid on the Table of the Council or not, issued in exercise of powers delegated by the Parliament as also those framed in exercise of powers conferred by the Constitution of India.[3] In both the Houses, the committee consists of 15 members and it was constituted in 1953.[1]
In contrast, the Committee on Government Assurances scrutinises the assurances, promises, and undertakings given by Ministers on the floor of the House[4], which is a different function altogether. The Rules Committee and Business Advisory Committee deal with procedural and scheduling matters of Parliament, not the scrutiny of delegated legislation. Therefore, the Committee on Subordinate Legislation is specifically designed to ensure that the Executive exercises delegated legislative powers within constitutional and statutory limits.
Sources- [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
- [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
- [3] https://cms.rajyasabha.nic.in/UploadedFiles/Procedure/HandBookForMembers/English/Handbook2022.pdf
- [4] https://prsindia.org/files/parliament/discussion_papers/Parliamentary%20Committees%20Increasing%20their%20effectiveness.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'reward question' for reading standard static sources (Laxmikanth) faithfully. It tests the core definition of a standing committee without any twist. If you missed this, your static polity revision is dangerously weak.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Does the Committee on Government Assurances of the Parliament of India scrutinize and report to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc., conferred by the Constitution or delegated by Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation?
- Statement 2: Does the Committee on Subordinate Legislation of the Parliament of India scrutinize and report to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc., conferred by the Constitution or delegated by Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation?
- Statement 3: Does the Rules Committee of the Parliament of India scrutinize and report to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc., conferred by the Constitution or delegated by Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation?
- Statement 4: Does the Business Advisory Committee of the Parliament of India scrutinize and report to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc., conferred by the Constitution or delegated by Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation?
- States the function of scrutinising whether powers to make rules, regulations, bye‑laws, schemes or other statutory instruments conferred by the Constitution or delegated by Parliament have been properly exercised.
- Specifically says the Committee scrutinizes all 'Orders' issued in exercise of powers delegated by Parliament or conferred by the Constitution.
- Confirms the Committee examines rules, regulations, bye‑laws, schemes or other statutory instruments framed pursuant to the Constitution or powers delegated by Parliament.
- Specifies the Committee's remit is to see that such delegated powers are being properly exercised within the scope of the delegation.
- Identifies the Committee on Government Assurances as a separate committee and defines its function — scrutinising assurances, promises and undertakings given by Ministers on the floor of the House.
- By distinguishing its role, this passage implies that scrutiny of subordinate legislation is the remit of a different committee (see other passages).
Explicitly states that the Committee on Subordinate Legislation examines and reports whether delegated powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules and bye-laws are properly exercised by the Executive.
A student could use this to infer that the task described is associated with the Committee on Subordinate Legislation (not Government Assurances) and thus test the statement by checking which committee has that remit.
Repeats the rule that the committee examining delegated rule-making powers is the Committee on Subordinate Legislation and gives its composition and date of constitution.
Use the committee name and role here to contrast with the Committee on Government Assurances and query official listings or rules to see which committee holds the stated function.
Notes that examining whether powers to make rules and regulations delegated by Parliament are properly exercised is the function of a committee (identified as Committee on Subordinate Legislation in nearby text).
A student could map the exact phrasing of the task to this committee’s described function and thereby suspect the statement misattributes the function to Government Assurances.
Contains a multiple-choice question that contrasts 'Committee on Government Assurances' with 'Committee on Subordinate Legislation' for the same description, indicating this is a commonly tested point about which committee does that work.
Recognize from the question format that the correct answer is likely the Committee on Subordinate Legislation; a student could verify by consulting the rules/official committee descriptions.
Explains that Parliament uses specialized committees (created under House rules) to scrutinize detailed matters it cannot handle directly.
Use this general rule to understand that specific scrutiny tasks (like checking delegated rule-making) are allocated to a specifically named committee—so one should check which committee’s remit matches the task.
- Explicitly states the committee 'examines and reports to the House' about powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules and bye‑laws.
- Specifies these powers may be 'delegated by the Parliament or conferred by the Constitution' and checks proper exercise by the Executive.
- Repeats the same clear description of the committee's role, reinforcing the function as oversight of delegated/subordinate legislation.
- Notes institutional detail (committee exists in both Houses; constituted in 1953) supporting its official remit.
- Explicitly states the committee's function is to 'scrutinise and report to Rajya Sabha' about powers to make rules, regulations, bye-laws, schemes or other statutory instruments.
- Matches the claim that the committee examines whether such powers (conferred by Constitution or delegated) are properly exercised.
- Says the committee examines rules, regulations, bye-laws, schemes or other statutory instruments framed pursuant to the Constitution or legislative functions delegated by Parliament.
- Specifically notes scrutiny is to determine whether such powers are 'being properly exercised within such conferment or delegation'.
- Defines the scope: powers to make rules, regulations, bye-laws, schemes or other statutory instruments ('Order') conferred by the Constitution or delegated by Parliament.
- States the committee ensures these powers 'have been properly exercised within such conferment or delegation'.
States the committee that examines and reports whether powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules and bye-laws delegated by Parliament or conferred by the Constitution to the Executive are being properly exercised.
A student could compare the named committee in this snippet (Committee on Subordinate Legislation) with the Rules Committee in a list of parliamentary committees to judge whether the Rules Committee has that function.
Contains a multiple-choice item asking which parliamentary committee scrutinizes and reports on delegated rule-making powers, listing Committee on Subordinate Legislation and Rules Committee as options.
A student could use this question format to infer that the intended correct committee is not the Rules Committee and then cross-check definitions of the two committees to resolve the question.
Repeats that a specific committee examines and reports on delegation of rule-making powers to the Executive, reinforcing that this is an established committee function.
Use this repeated description to strengthen the inference that a committee other than the Rules Committee (i.e., Subordinate Legislation) holds this role, then look up the Rules Committee's stated functions for comparison.
Explains that Parliament delegates detailed scrutiny to various committees because the whole House lacks time/expertise, and that committee composition and functions are governed by the Houses' rules.
A student can apply this general rule to deduce that specific scrutiny functions (like examining delegated legislation) are assigned to specialized committees and should be verifiable in House rules distinguishing committees.
- Explicitly states the function to "scrutinise and report to Rajya Sabha whether the powers to make rules, regulations, bye-laws, scheme or other statutory instruments conferred by the Constitution or..."
- Shows that this scrutiny-and-report function belongs to the Committee on Subordinate Legislation (not the Business Advisory Committee).
- Clearly states: "The Committee on Subordinate Legislation scrutinises whether the powers to make regulations, rules, and sub-laws are being properly exercised."
- Confirms that the Committee examines subordinate legislation and presents its recommendations in a report tabled in both Houses.
- States the Committee's task is to see whether "the powers delegated by the Constitution or a statute of Parliament have been properly exercised within the framework of the Constitution or the concerned statute."
- Provides detail on the specific aspects the Committee must check under the Rules of Procedure (ties to scope of delegation/exercise).
Explicitly states that the Committee on Subordinate Legislation examines and reports whether powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules and bye-laws delegated by Parliament or conferred by the Constitution are properly exercised by the Executive.
A student could contrast this stated function of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation with the known functions of the Business Advisory Committee to judge which body performs the described scrutiny.
Repeats the same clear definition of the Committee on Subordinate Legislation’s duty to examine delegated rule-making by the Executive.
Use this duplicate statement as corroboration that the scrutiny role belongs to the Subordinate Legislation committee rather than another parliamentary committee named in the statement.
Presents a multiple-choice question asking which committee performs that scrutiny and includes 'Business Advisory Committee' as an option, implying the issue is about assigning this function to a specific committee.
A student can use the MCQ format to infer that the correct answer is among the listed committees and then compare the explicit description (from other snippets) to eliminate the Business Advisory Committee if it lacks that description.
States (in a matching pattern) that examining whether powers to make rules and regulations delegated by Parliament are properly exercised by the executive is the remit of a committee (context points to Subordinate Legislation).
Combine this pattern with the explicit name-function pairing (snippets 2/3) to deduce that the function is tied to Subordinate Legislation, not the Business Advisory Committee.
Explains the general role of parliamentary committees as mechanisms to allow detailed scrutiny of matters Parliament cannot handle in plenary, implying that specialized committees (like Subordinate Legislation) carry out such oversight tasks.
A student could apply this general rule—committees perform specialized scrutiny—to expect that oversight of delegated legislation would rest with a specially named committee rather than a scheduling/administrative committee like Business Advisory.
- [THE VERDICT]: Absolute Sitter. Direct lift from Laxmikanth, Chapter 24 (Parliamentary Committees).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Parliamentary Control over the Executive > Administrative Oversight (Delegated Legislation).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Minor Committees' often ignored: 1) Committee on Govt Assurances (tracks promises made by Ministers), 2) Rules Committee (procedure of the House itself, chaired by Speaker/Chairman), 3) Business Advisory Committee (allocates time/schedule), 4) Committee on Papers Laid on the Table (checks delay/compliance of reports).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not just read the 'Financial Committees' (PAC, Estimates). Create a 'Keyword-Function' map for the minor ones. Subordinate Legislation = 'Delegated Powers'. Assurances = 'Promises'. Rules = 'Internal Procedure'.
References explicitly state that the Committee on Subordinate Legislation examines and reports whether powers to make rules/regulations (conferred by the Constitution or delegated by Parliament) are properly exercised by the Executive.
High-yield for UPSC: this is a direct fact-type topic about parliamentary oversight mechanisms. It links to questions on delegated legislation, separation of powers, and legislative scrutiny. Master by memorising committee names/functions and practising MCQs that ask to match functions to specific committees.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
References distinguish powers 'conferred by the Constitution' and those 'delegated by Parliament' to the Executive and show a committee examines exercise of these powers.
Important concept for constitutional and administrative law questions: explains what delegated legislation is, its sources, and institutional checks. Helps answer questions on ordinance-making, subordinate legislation, and judicial/legislative review. Study by linking statutory text, committee roles, and landmark oversight mechanisms.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 11: The Union Executive > It) Tlte Ordinance-making PQwer. > p. 220
References describe why Parliament uses committees — to scrutinise complex/voluminous matters it cannot handle in full sittings — providing context for specialized committees like Subordinate Legislation.
Conceptual background that helps in essay and polity mains answers as well as prelims MCQs. Shows why delegated tasks (like scrutiny of rules) are allocated to committees; links to legislative process and accountability. Learn by mapping committee types to their core functions.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > MEANING > p. 270
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > MEANING > p. 270
Directly describes the committee's mandate to examine and report on delegated rule‑making by the Executive.
High‑yield for polity questions on parliamentary oversight mechanisms; connects to questions on checks on executive rule‑making and committee roles. Knowing this enables rapid answers on committee functions and difference between primary and subordinate legislation.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
References highlight 'powers delegated by Parliament or conferred by the Constitution' to make regulations, rules and bye‑laws — the essence of delegated legislation.
Essential for questions on law‑making processes, separation of powers, and executive versus legislative functions. Helps answer items on when detailed rules are made by executive agencies and how Parliament oversees them.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
General rationale for committees (Parliament aided by committees due to volume/complexity) supports why bodies like the Subordinate Legislation Committee exist.
Useful for broader polity essays and MCQs on why committees are integral to parliamentary functioning; links to committee composition, specialization, and oversight patterns in Parliament.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > MEANING > p. 270
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
The provided references explicitly state which committee examines and reports on whether delegated powers to make regulations/rules/bye‑laws are properly exercised by the Executive.
High-yield for UPSC: questions often ask which parliamentary committee handles subordinate/delegated legislation and oversight of executive rule‑making. Mastering this lets you answer function‑based MCQs and short‑answer items on parliamentary oversight mechanisms.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Committee on Subordinate Legislation > p. 278
The 'Committee on Papers Laid on the Table'. While Subordinate Legislation checks the *content* of rules, this committee checks the *timing and compliance* of papers/reports tabled by Ministers. It is the logical next step in the 'Oversight' committee questions.
Etymological Match: The question describes powers 'delegated' to the Executive to make rules. In legal terminology, laws made by the Executive under delegated power are called 'Subordinate Legislation'. The answer is literally the definition of the term in Option B. Option C (Rules Committee) is a distractor—it makes rules for the *Parliament's internal procedure*, not the Executive's laws.
Mains GS-2 (Separation of Powers): This committee is the Parliament's check against 'New Despotism' (unchecked bureaucratic law-making). It ensures the Executive doesn't usurp the Legislature's primary function under the guise of rule-making.