Joint Parliamentary Committee: features and working
Why in the news
Following strong objections, Lok Sabha handed the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for close study.
Key facts
- A JPC is an ad hoc body for line-by-line study of a contested Bill or a major financial or governance matter.
- It is not mentioned in the Constitution; it works under both Houses’ rules of procedure.
- Created through a motion in one House that the other House accepts.
- The Speaker of Lok Sabha appoints the chairperson.
- Seats usually split 2:1 between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, mirroring party strengths so the ruling side has a majority.
- Once it reports, it dissolves automatically.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Status | Ad hoc, no constitutional mention |
| Set up by | Motion in one House, concurred by the other |
| Chair | Appointed by Lok Sabha Speaker |
| Ratio | Lok Sabha to Rajya Sabha about 2:1 |
| End of life | Dissolved on submitting report |
Functions
- Examine each clause for administrative, legal or constitutional gaps; summon officials, experts, records.
- Take written and oral inputs from affected groups; report is advisory with optional Notes of Dissent.
Exam angle
- Likely question: which statement about JPC is wrong? Typical trap: calling it permanent. It is ad hoc.
- Standing committees, by contrast, are reconstituted every year.