Lok Sabha Speaker Constitutes Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women

What Happened

In May 2026, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla officially formed the new Committee on Empowerment of Women for the parliamentary term. BJP MP Dr. Daggubati Purandeswari was chosen to lead the panel as its Chairperson. The committee's formation marks the legislative branch's continued institutional focus on addressing gender disparities and monitoring women-centric government initiatives.

When & Where

The announcement was made on May 16, 2026, at Parliament House in New Delhi. The committee operates at the central legislative level, overseeing the execution of federal policies across all Indian states and Union Territories.

Who Is Involved

• Om Birla: Speaker of the Lok Sabha, who holds the authority to constitute the committee and nominate lower house members.
• Dr. Daggubati Purandeswari: BJP MP and newly appointed Chairperson of the committee.
• Lok Sabha Members: 18 nominated MPs, prominently including Hema Malini, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and Iqra Choudhary.
• Rajya Sabha Members: 10 nominated MPs, including Sudha Murty, PT Usha, and Swati Maliwal (nominated by the Rajya Sabha Chairman).

How It Works

• Formation via Nomination: Unlike financial committees (like PAC) where members are elected via proportional representation, members of this committee are directly nominated by the Presiding Officers of both Houses.
• Report Scrutiny: The committee receives and deeply examines the extensive reports filed by the National Commission for Women (NCW).
• Executive Accountability: It calls upon officials from the Ministry of Women and Child Development to answer queries regarding policy implementation delays or fund underutilisation.
• Recommendations: After reviewing welfare programmes, the committee drafts its own reports and submits actionable recommendations to both Houses of Parliament.

Why It Matters

This development is highly relevant for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Parliament and State Legislatures & Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections). The committee acts as a constitutional watchdog, ensuring the executive does not neglect gender budgeting. It translates the socio-economic goals of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) into measurable administrative accountability.

Historical Background

• 1996: A resolution was passed by Parliament on International Women’s Day calling for a dedicated committee to monitor women's rights.
• 1997: The Committee on Empowerment of Women was formally born on April 29 during the tenure of the 11th Lok Sabha.
• 2001: The committee played a vital role in reviewing the newly introduced National Policy for the Empowerment of Women.

Previous Related Events

• 2023: Parliament passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Act), reserving 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women, raising the stakes for this committee's oversight role.
• 2021: The committee tabled a critical report on the underutilisation of the Nirbhaya Fund by various state governments.
• 2019: The panel conducted a widespread review of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, suggesting structural changes in its media-to-implementation spending ratio.

Static GK Connection

• Article 15(3): Enables the state to make positive discrimination policies for women, forming the basis for women-centric schemes the committee reviews.
• Rule 331E: The specific rule within the 'Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha' that dictates the creation, strength, and mandate of this specific committee.

India & World Comparison

Globally, parliamentary mechanisms for gender equality vary. While the UK has the Women and Equalities Committee, India relies on this Joint Parliamentary Committee. India's global standing in gender parity—often hovering in the lower quartile of the WEF Global Gender Gap Index (e.g., 127th in 2023)—makes the domestic oversight work of this committee globally significant for improving international metrics.

Future Impact

• Monitoring Women's Reservation: The committee will likely oversee the groundwork required for implementing the 33% women's quota following the upcoming delimitation exercise.
• Policy Overhauls: Expect rigorous reviews of new maternity benefit norms and female labour force participation initiatives over the next year.
• Strengthening NCW: The committee may push for legislative amendments to grant more punitive powers to the National Commission for Women.

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🔑 Key Points for Revision

• Formed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on May 16, 2026.
• Chairperson: BJP MP Dr. Daggubati Purandeswari.
• Notified strength: 28 members (18 LS, 10 RS).
• Standard maximum strength: 30 members (20 LS, 10 RS).
• Members are nominated, NOT elected.
• The term of the committee is strictly one year.
• RS nominees include Sudha Murty, PT Usha, Swati Maliwal.
• LS nominees include Hema Malini, Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
• First constituted in 1997 during the 11th Lok Sabha.
• Core function: Scrutinising National Commission for Women (NCW) reports.
• Legal anchor: Rule 331E of the Lok Sabha Rules of Procedure.
• Constitutional anchor: Article 15(3) (Special provisions for women).
• Monitors crucial schemes like Nirbhaya Fund and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.
• Directly impacts the administration of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Ensures accountability for gender budgeting across government departments.

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🧠 Concept Link (Static GK Deep Dive)

Core Concept: Parliamentary Committees in India

• Definition: Small, specialised groups of MPs that examine legislative proposals, scrutinise government finances, and monitor administrative actions on behalf of Parliament.
• Constitutional / Legal Basis: Derives authority from Article 118 (Parliament's power to make rules of procedure) and Article 105 (Parliamentary privileges).
• Scientific / Economic Principle: The principle of "Division of Labour" and "Executive Accountability to the Legislature."
• How it connects to this event: The Committee on Empowerment of Women is a specific Joint Parliamentary Committee operating under these broader parliamentary rules.
• Origin & History: The modern committee system in India largely originated from the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms (1919), establishing the Public Accounts Committee in 1921.
• Key milestone 1: The formal introduction of the Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) system in 1993 to scrutinise ministry-wise grants.
• Key milestone 2: The creation of the Committee on Empowerment of Women in 1997 to focus exclusively on gender issues.
• Related Acts / Schemes / Treaties: Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act.
• Nodal Ministry / Body: Parliament Secretariat (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats).
• India-specific relevance: With Parliament meeting for less than 70 days a year on average, committees do the actual "heavy lifting" of detailed legislative scrutiny.
• Global comparison: Similar to the Congressional Committee system in the USA, though Indian committees have less power to reject executive appointments.
• Data point: Nearly 60-70% of complex bills used to be referred to committees, though this percentage has fluctuated in recent Lok Sabhas.
• Common exam angle: UPSC frequently asks about the composition (strength), term length, and method of appointment (election vs nomination) of various committees.
• Easy memory hook: "Financial committees are Elected, but specific issue committees like Women Empowerment are Nominated."

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❓ Practice MCQs

Q1. Who was appointed as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women constituted in May 2026?

A) Hema Malini

B) Sudha Murty

C) Dr. Daggubati Purandeswari

D) Swati Maliwal

Answer: C

Explanation: BJP MP Dr. Daggubati Purandeswari was appointed as the Chairperson of the newly constituted committee by the Lok Sabha Speaker.

Q2. What is the standard maximum strength of the Committee on Empowerment of Women?

A) 15 members

B) 22 members

C) 30 members

D) 45 members

Answer: C

Explanation: The standard composition is 30 members, comprising 20 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.

Q3. Which of the following is the primary function of the Committee on Empowerment of Women?

A) To investigate financial scams in the Ministry of Defence

B) To examine the reports of the National Commission for Women (NCW)

C) To appoint the Chairperson of the NCW

D) To audit the accounts of the Ministry of Women and Child Development

Answer: B

Explanation: A core mandate of this committee is to examine the comprehensive reports submitted by the National Commission for Women and assess the government's subsequent actions.

Q4. In which year was the Committee on Empowerment of Women first constituted in the Indian Parliament?

A) 1950

B) 1975

C) 1993

D) 1997

Answer: D

Explanation: The committee was first formed on April 29, 1997, during the term of the 11th Lok Sabha.

Q5. How are the members of the Committee on Empowerment of Women selected?

A) Elected by proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote

B) Nominated by the President of India

C) Nominated by the Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairman of Rajya Sabha

D) Ex-officio members based on their ministerial portfolios

Answer: C

Explanation: Unlike financial committees, members here are nominated by the respective Presiding Officers (Speaker for LS, Chairman for RS).

Q6. What is the term of office for the members of the Committee on Empowerment of Women?

A) Co-terminus with the Lok Sabha (5 years)

B) 3 years

C) 2 years

D) 1 year

Answer: D

Explanation: The term of the members of this specific parliamentary committee is strictly one year, after which it must be reconstituted.

Q7. Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides the foundational backing for the state to make special provisions for women, aligning with the committee's mandate?

A) Article 14

B) Article 15(3)

C) Article 21

D) Article 44

Answer: B

Explanation: Article 15(3) explicitly states that nothing shall prevent the State from making any special provision for women and children.

Q8. Consider the case of a sitting Union Minister. Can they be nominated as a member of the Committee on Empowerment of Women?

A) Yes, they can be a member but cannot be the Chairperson

B) Yes, and they usually serve as the ex-officio Chairperson

C) No, a Minister is not eligible to be nominated to this committee

D) Only Cabinet Ministers can be nominated, not Ministers of State

Answer: C

Explanation: As per standard parliamentary committee rules, a Minister is generally not eligible to be nominated to standing or specific scrutiny committees to maintain executive accountability to the legislature.

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📜 Previous Year Question Style (PYQ)

PYQ 1:

With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees focuses exclusively on examining the measures taken by the Union Government to secure equality, status, and dignity for women?

A) Committee on Estimates

B) Committee on Public Undertakings

C) Committee on Subordinate Legislation

D) Committee on Empowerment of Women

Answer: D

Explanation: The Committee on Empowerment of Women is the dedicated parliamentary mechanism to oversee gender equality and review NCW reports.

PYQ 2:

Consider the following statements regarding the Committee on Empowerment of Women:

1. It consists of equal members from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
2. Its members are elected by the Parliament using proportional representation.
3. The term of office of the members of the Committee shall not exceed one year.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect (it has 20 from LS and 10 from RS). Statement 2 is incorrect (they are nominated by the Speaker/Chairman, not elected). Statement 3 is correct (the term is one year).

PYQ 3:

Assertion (A): The Committee on Empowerment of Women holds the Ministry of Women and Child Development accountable for policy implementation.

Reason (R): Members of this committee are directly appointed by the President of India based on the recommendations of the Prime Minister.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

C) A is true but R is false

D) A is false but R is true

Answer: C

Explanation: The Assertion is true as the committee ensures executive accountability. The Reason is false because members are nominated by the Presiding Officers (Speaker/Chairman), not the President.

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✍️ Mains Answer Pointers

Question 1 (150 words): Discuss the role of the Committee on Empowerment of Women in ensuring legislative scrutiny over gender-related schemes in India.

• Introduction: Define the committee (formed in 1997, 30 members) and state its primary mandate of holding the executive accountable on gender issues.
• Body Point 1: NCW Oversight: Acts as the primary parliamentary body to review the findings and recommendations of the National Commission for Women.
• Body Point 2: Scheme Evaluation: Monitors the effective utilization of funds and implementation bottlenecks in schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and the Nirbhaya Fund.
• Body Point 3: Policy Recommendations: Bridges the gap between grassroots realities and legislative drafting by recommending changes to welfare frameworks based on state-level evidence.
• Conclusion: Conclude that the committee transforms constitutional promises (Article 15(3)) into actionable administrative reality.
• Data/Diagram to include: Mention the standard composition structure (20 LS + 10 RS) to show structural weightage.

Question 2 (250 words): "Parliamentary Committees do the heavy lifting of legislative business in India." In the context of this statement, trace the evolution of the Committee on Empowerment of Women and evaluate its effectiveness in promoting gender parity.

• Introduction: Briefly define Parliamentary Committees as mini-parliaments. Introduce the Committee on Empowerment of Women as a critical node for gender justice oversight.
• Body Point 1: Evolution: Trace its origin to the 1996 Parliament resolution and its eventual constitution in 1997 during the 11th Lok Sabha.
• Body Point 2: Mandate & Functioning: Detail its workings—nomination process, 1-year term, and mandate under Rule 331E to review NCW reports.
• Body Point 3: Political/Legislative Dimension: Highlights its role in creating a non-partisan platform where MPs across party lines focus strictly on women's welfare.
• Body Point 4: Effectiveness (Successes): Cite examples of its critical reports on Nirbhaya Fund underutilization and pushes for maternity benefit enhancements.
• Body Point 5: Challenges/Criticism: Address limitations—recommendations are advisory, limited technical expertise, and often delayed responses from ministries (Action Taken Reports).
• Conclusion: Suggest empowering the committee with more binding authority or integrated mechanisms with state-level women’s commissions to ensure last-mile gender parity.
• Data/Diagram to include: Flowchart: NCW Report -> Tabled in Parliament -> Sent to Committee -> Committee Scrutiny -> Action Taken Report by Ministry.

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⚠️ Examiner Trap

• Trap 1: Students often confuse the term length of this committee with the tenure of the Lok Sabha (5 years). The correct fact is that the term of the Committee on Empowerment of Women is strictly one year.
• Trap 2: A common wrong assumption is that members are elected via proportional representation, similar to the Public Accounts Committee. The reality is that members are nominated by the Speaker and the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
• Trap 3: Many students miss the exact strength ratio when answering questions on this topic. Always remember it is 20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha (total 30), not equal representation from both houses.

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🧭 Exam Tip

• Prelims: Examiners love testing the numerical facts of committees. Memorise the standard composition (30 total: 20 LS, 10 RS), the method of appointment (Nomination), and the term length (1 year).
• Mains: Focus on the functional overlap between this committee and the National Commission for Women (NCW). GS-2 questions will likely ask you to evaluate their combined effectiveness.
• Interview: Be prepared to discuss how the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Act) might change the dynamics and necessity of this committee in the future.
• Prediction: Expect a matching question in upcoming exams where "Committee on Empowerment of Women" is paired with "Nominated Members" or "1997 origin" to test deep factual clarity.