Official UPSC Format

Consider the following statements about the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the Parliament of India:
1. Although members of this Committee are elected from both Houses of Parliament, the Chairperson of this Committee is appointed by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
2. Twenty members are elected by the Rajya Sabha and ten members by the Lok Sabha.
3. No Minister, except for the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, is eligible to be a member of this Committee.
4. Members are elected for a fixed term of two years from the date they enter their office.
Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct ?

1. Although members of this Committee are elected from both Houses of Parliament, the Chairperson of this Committee is appointed by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

2. Twenty members are elected by the Rajya Sabha and ten members by the Lok Sabha.

3. No Minister, except for the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, is eligible to be a member of this Committee.

4. Members are elected for a fixed term of two years from the date they enter their office.

⚡ Quick Recall Snippet

The Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs comprises 30 members (20 Lok Sabha, 10 Rajya Sabha) serving a one-year term. The Lok Sabha Speaker appoints its Chairperson, and Ministers are strictly prohibited from holding membership.

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Detailed Solution & Authority Citations

Correct Answer is Option D
Let's analyze the statutory rules governing this Joint Parliamentary Committee based on the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha:
  • Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Chairperson of this Committee is appointed explicitly by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from among its members, not by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

  • Statement 2 is Incorrect: The examiner inverted the numbers. The Committee has 30 members total: 20 elected by the Lok Sabha and 10 elected by the Rajya Sabha.

  • Statement 3 is Incorrect: To preserve independent legislative oversight, a Minister is strictly ineligible for membership. There is absolutely no exception carved out for the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.

  • Statement 4 is Incorrect: Like most major standing parliamentary committees (such as the Public Accounts Committee), the term of office for its members is strictly one year, not two years.
    • Conclusion: Because every single statement contains a factual error deliberately planted by the examiner, there are no correct statements. Option D is the right choice.

    🚨 The Examiner's Trap

    The examiner uses hyper-specific false data points—inverting Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha ratios, fabricating a 'Social Justice Minister exception,' and extending the term to two years—to overwhelm candidates lacking precise rote knowledge of committee rules.

    Active Recall Flashcard

    Tap to Flip

    What is the term length and total member count of the Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs?

    The term length is one year, and it consists of 30 members (20 from Lok Sabha, 10 from Rajya Sabha).

    Concept Flow Mapping

    SC/ST Welfare Committee
    Has Chairperson Appointed By
    Lok Sabha Speaker
    SC/ST Welfare Committee
    Total Members
    30
    SC/ST Welfare Committee
    Excludes
    Government Ministers

    Logic Quest

    "Why are Ministers excluded from these Parliamentary Committees?"

    Not analyzing core concepts like Legislative Oversight Mechanics through the lens of Previous Year Questions is a serious miss-out. This PYQ engine is specifically designed to help you decode the examiner's mindset and master highly probable Indian Polity questions for your upcoming Prelims.