5. Parliamentary Institutions and Legislative Functioning

b. Role of JPCs and Parliamentary Committees

Notes for Students

Context of the Article: The formation and functioning of Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs) and other parliamentary committees have become central to legislative scrutiny in India, particularly during controversial or high-impact law-making. In 2025, the JPC on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) proposal and the JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill brought committee-based deliberation into the spotlight. With significant legal and federal implications, these committees have rekindled the debate around their efficacy, impartiality, and role in safeguarding democratic processes.

UPSC Paper Topic Belongs To: 

GS Paper II: Polity and Governance (Parliament and State Legislatures) 

GS Paper II: Institutional Reforms (Parliamentary Committees, Legislative Scrutiny) 

GS Paper II: Governance Issues (Accountability, Federalism, Deliberation in Law-making)

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Purpose and Scope of JPCs
2. Recent JPCs: ONOE and Waqf Bill 2024
3. Role in Legislative Scrutiny and Accountability
4. Criticism and Political Bias Allegations
5. Way Forward for Parliamentary Committees

Why in News

In 2025, Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs) have emerged as vital instruments of legislative scrutiny amid rising executive-led law-making. The JPC on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) proposal concluded several rounds of expert consultations, engaging with constitutional scholars, former election commissioners, and federal stakeholders. Simultaneously, the JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill tabled its final report following extensive consultations with minority groups, legal experts, and civil society organisations. These developments underscore the crucial role JPCs play in balancing legislative efficiency with democratic accountability. As both proposals carry significant legal, social, and federal implications, the functioning of these committees has reignited debate on their transparency, neutrality, and institutional strength. The increased reliance on JPCs also reflects public demand for deeper scrutiny in the face of rapid legislative changes. Their performance in 2025 will likely shape future expectations regarding parliamentary oversight mechanisms in India.

Features:

1. JPC on One Nation, One Election (ONOE)

• Constituted in December 2024 to evaluate the feasibility of simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• Chaired by BJP MP PP Chaudhary; comprises 39 members (27 Lok Sabha, 12 Rajya Sabha).
• The committee held its first meeting in January 2025 and summoned officials from the Law Ministry, Election Commission, and legal experts like former Chief Justice Ritu Awasthi.
• As of June 2025, it has completed 4 sittings and is scheduled to meet again on July 11, 2025.
• Controversy erupted after AAP ministers from Punjab publicly rejected the ONOE proposal, alleging constitutional overreach and violation of federalism.

2. JPC on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024

• Led by MP Jagdambika Pal, the committee was formed to evaluate amendments related to transparency and representation in Waqf Boards.
• Conducted 36 meetings across multiple states and received over 280 memoranda from individuals, state boards, and legal experts.
• Recommended 25 amendments, including mandatory inclusion of at least two Muslim women in each board.
• Opposition MPs boycotted some proceedings, alleging bias in deliberation.
• Final report submitted in January 2025.

Explainers:

1. Why are JPCs significant for democratic law-making? 

JPCs play a vital role in strengthening democratic law-making by providing detailed, bipartisan, and expert-driven scrutiny of legislative proposals. These committees act as intermediaries between the executive’s policy intent and Parliament’s constitutional responsibility to deliberate and legislate. In controversial cases like the ONOE or Waqf Bill, JPCs serve as essential platforms where divergent views, legal complexities, and stakeholder concerns can be thoroughly examined before laws are finalized. Their ability to include expert witnesses, civil society inputs, and inter-state feedback enhances the quality and legitimacy of legislation.

2. What challenges are faced by these committees? 

Despite their significance, JPCs often face operational and institutional challenges. Political partisanship can skew deliberations and reduce credibility. Delays in submission of reports—either due to lack of consensus or administrative inefficiencies—hamper legislative timelines. Moreover, opposition parties sometimes abstain or boycott committee proceedings, affecting representational diversity. Most critically, the recommendations of JPCs are not binding on the executive, which may ignore, dilute, or selectively implement findings, thereby undermining the committee’s authority and the broader democratic process.

3. What makes the ONOE JPC controversial?

 The JPC on One Nation, One Election has generated intense debate due to its implications for federalism, election management, and constitutional integrity. Critics argue that synchronising elections could lead to misuse of Article 356, weaken regional parties, and concentrate political power at the Centre. Opposition-led states have expressed concern that ONOE threatens their legislative autonomy. Furthermore, many believe that a proposal of such magnitude requires constitutional consensus across party lines and public referendum—not merely a parliamentary committee review.

4. How does the Waqf JPC reflect minority concerns?

 The JPC on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill exemplifies how parliamentary committees can address minority rights through legislative reform. The committee’s recommendation for the inclusion of Muslim women and its effort to ensure board transparency signal an intent to make governance more inclusive. However, accusations of political bias and opposition boycotts during deliberations indicate that even community-oriented reforms can become contentious. The lack of cross-party consensus highlights the fragility of minority-focused law-making in a polarised political environment.

5. Why must JPC reports be taken seriously? 

JPC reports are the outcome of structured, in-depth research, expert testimony, and public engagement. They represent the institutional voice of Parliament’s deliberative function and often identify practical, legal, and ethical dimensions of proposed legislation. Disregarding these reports not only undermines the credibility of the parliamentary system but may also result in poorly drafted laws that face operational issues or judicial challenges. Serious attention to JPC recommendations is essential for enhancing the quality of legislation and upholding parliamentary sovereignty.

Conclusion: 

The recent experiences of JPCs in 2024–25 reflect both their democratic potential and institutional vulnerabilities. While their ability to moderate contentious legislation is crucial, concerns around partisanship, lack of accountability, and non-enforceability persist. The 18th Lok Sabha must institutionalise clearer guidelines for committee operations, ensure opposition involvement, and adopt their findings with greater commitment to deliberative democracy.