Why this matters now
JPCs surface in the news whenever there is a major financial scandal or a contentious bill. Aspirants must know that a JPC is ad hoc (not standing), that its composition and terms of reference are decided by Parliament through a motion, and that its recommendations are not binding on the government. The recent JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill kept the mechanism topical.
How a JPC is constituted
A JPC is set up by a motion passed in one House and concurred in by the other, or by the two Presiding Officers acting together. The motion fixes the committee’s strength, membership ratio and terms of reference. By convention the membership ratio favours the Lok Sabha (commonly about 2:1, Lok Sabha to Rajya Sabha), reflecting the larger House. The chair is usually from the ruling party.
Powers of a JPC
- It can summon persons, papers and records; it can call experts, officials and even ministers (by convention, ministers are not usually summoned).
- Its proceedings are confidential; obstructing it can amount to a breach of privilege.
- It examines the matter referred to it and submits a report with recommendations.
- Its recommendations have persuasive value only — the government may act on them or table an action-taken report, but is not bound.
Major JPCs in Indian history
| Year | Subject |
|---|---|
| 1987 | Bofors howitzer deal |
| 1992 | Harshad Mehta securities scam |
| 2001 | Ketan Parekh stock market scam |
| 2011 | 2G spectrum allocation |
| 2013 | Pesticide residues / soft drinks safety |
| 2016 | VVIP chopper (AgustaWestland) deal |
| 2024-25 | Waqf (Amendment) Bill |
JPC vs Public Accounts Committee
| JPC | PAC |
|---|---|
| Ad hoc — dissolved after report | Standing committee — reconstituted yearly |
| Both Houses; strength & ToR set per case | 22 members (15 LS + 7 RS) |
| Examines a specific issue/bill | Examines CAG audit reports / appropriation accounts |
| Chair usually from ruling party | Chair by convention from the Opposition |
UPSC angle
Examiners test two contrasts: JPC (ad hoc, issue-specific) vs PAC/Estimates/Public Undertakings (standing, financial). Remember that a JPC’s recommendations are not binding and that ministers are, by convention, not summoned.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)?
A JPC is an ad hoc committee formed for a specific purpose — to examine a bill or investigate a matter of public importance — with members from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. It is dissolved once it submits its report.
How is a JPC different from the PAC?
The PAC is a standing committee reconstituted every year to examine CAG audit reports, while a JPC is ad hoc and issue-specific. The PAC chair is by convention from the Opposition; a JPC chair is usually from the ruling party.
Are JPC recommendations binding on the government?
No. A JPC’s recommendations have persuasive value only. The government may accept them and file an action-taken report, but it is not legally bound to implement them.
Name some famous JPCs.
Bofors (1987), Harshad Mehta securities scam (1992), Ketan Parekh stock-market scam (2001), 2G spectrum (2011), AgustaWestland VVIP chopper (2016), and the Waqf (Amendment) Bill (2024-25).