NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 27: The government is actively considering a proposal to extend the tenure of parliamentary standing committees from the current one year to two years, in a move aimed at strengthening legislative scrutiny, ensuring deeper policy deliberations, and improving the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight. The plan, which has been under discussion following repeated appeals by lawmakers, is expected to be finalised after consultations with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan.
The parliamentary standing committees often described as the “mini-parliaments” of India, are central to the legislative process, tasked with examining bills, policies, budgets, and governance issues in detail. Their current one-year tenure, lawmakers argue, limits their ability to complete comprehensive studies or follow through on complex legislative matters. “A single year often passes quickly due to budget sessions, adjournments, and procedural delays. A two-year term would allow members to develop expertise and continuity on key subjects,” said a senior parliamentary source.
Under the existing system, new committees are constituted each year around late September or early October, based on proportional representation of political parties in Parliament. Committee chairs are nominated in consultation with party leadership, and while most continue for the duration of the Lok Sabha, annual reconstitution sometimes disrupts momentum. Lawmakers have pointed out that important reports are often delayed or remain unfinished due to the short tenure, weakening the overall impact of parliamentary review.
Currently, there are 24 department-related standing committees, 16 chaired by Lok Sabha members and eight by members of the Rajya Sabha, covering sectors ranging from finance, defence, and health to external affairs and education. These panels play a crucial role in legislative scrutiny, often recommending changes to bills, analysing government performance, and seeking accountability from ministries. In addition, financial committees, ad-hoc committees, and issue-specific panels are constituted as needed to address evolving policy priorities.
If approved, the extension to a two-year term is expected to bring several structural benefits. It would provide committees with the time necessary to conduct in-depth consultations with stakeholders, undertake field visits, and draft comprehensive reports that can shape national policy. It would also allow members to develop subject-matter expertise and ensure continuity in discussions — a feature often cited as lacking in the current arrangement. Moreover, a longer term could strengthen bipartisan collaboration, as members would have a more extended period to build consensus on complex policy matters.
Parliamentary experts have welcomed the move, saying that most mature democracies operate with longer committee terms to ensure sustained oversight and policy continuity. They argue that an extended tenure would align India’s parliamentary practices with international standards and enhance the credibility of its legislative process.
The proposal is expected to be placed for consideration before the next round of committee reconstitutions scheduled for early October. If adopted, the reform would mark one of the most significant structural changes in India’s parliamentary committee system in decades, reflecting a broader effort to modernize legislative functioning and make governance more deliberative, transparent, and accountable.