Indian Polity : Parliament

Q 2 / 51

UPSC CSE Prelims 2026

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?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option

The correct option is D. There is no correct statement.

[as per provisional answerkey]

Explanation

The Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is a Standing Committee of the Parliament of India, established to monitor the implementation of constitutional safeguards and welfare measures for these communities.

Statement-wise Analysis

  • Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Committee consists of members from both Houses, but the Chairperson is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from amongst the members of the Committee. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha does not have the authority to appoint the Chairperson of this specific committee.
  • Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Committee consists of 30 members. However, the composition is 20 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 members from the Rajya Sabha, which is the reverse of what is stated in the statement.
  • Statement 3 is Incorrect: According to parliamentary rules, no Minister is eligible to be elected as a member of the Committee. There is no exception for the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. If a member is appointed as a Minister after election to the Committee, they cease to be a member from the date of such appointment.
  • Statement 4 is Incorrect: The term of office of the members of the Committee does not exceed one year. They are elected annually by the respective Houses from among their members according to the principle of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.

Key Takeaway

Key Takeaway: The Committee on the Welfare of SCs and STs consists of 30 members (20 LS, 10 RS) elected annually for a one-year term; no Minister can be a member, and the Chairperson is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

SOURCEUpsc Cse Prelims Gs Paper I 2026