In the Parliament of India, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is appointed by which of the following authorities?

Introduction / Context:

The Public Accounts Committee is one of the most important financial committees of the Indian Parliament. It examines the accounts showing the appropriation of funds granted by Parliament and the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The leadership of this committee plays a significant role in ensuring legislative oversight of public expenditure. This question asks which authority appoints the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The committee in focus is the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
• The question asks specifically about the appointment of its Chairman.
• The options list top constitutional and parliamentary authorities such as the President, Prime Minister, Speaker and Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
• It is assumed that you understand PAC is a committee of the Parliament, primarily associated with the Lok Sabha.

Concept / Approach:

The members of the Public Accounts Committee are elected from both Houses of Parliament, but the committee is under the overall jurisdiction of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha appoints the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee from among its members. In recent decades, by convention, the Chairman is usually from the main opposition party, but the formal power of appointment lies with the Speaker, not with the President or the Prime Minister.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

The rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Lok Sabha clearly state that the Speaker appoints the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. Newspaper reports on the appointment of new PAC Chairmen also routinely mention that the Speaker has named a particular member to this post, often from the opposition party, which reinforces this understanding.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

The President of India does not directly involve himself or herself in the appointment of committee Chairmen inside the Parliament; such matters are internal to the Houses.

The Prime Minister may influence decisions politically but has no formal authority to appoint the Chairman of the PAC under the rules.

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha presides over the upper house and its committees; the PAC, however, is under the primary control of the Lok Sabha Speaker for appointment of its Chairman.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is an external constitutional authority whose reports are examined by the PAC but who has no role in choosing the committee leadership.

Common Pitfalls:

Some learners mistakenly believe the President or Prime Minister must appoint all important posts. Others know that PAC includes members from both Houses and therefore assume the Chairman of Rajya Sabha must have a say. In reality, the parliamentary committee structure is largely internal to each House, and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the decisive formal role regarding the Chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee.

Final Answer:

The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.