In the Indian Parliament, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee is appointed by which authority?

Introduction / Context:
The Public Accounts Committee is one of the most important financial committees of the Indian Parliament. It examines the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General and ensures that public money is spent according to the decisions of Parliament. The effectiveness of this committee depends in part on who leads it. This question asks which authority appoints the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. Understanding this mechanism highlights how Parliament organises its own internal oversight of the executive's financial operations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The institution in focus is the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.
• The specific matter is appointment of its Chairman.
• Four high offices or authorities are listed as options.
• The learner must know the correct appointing authority within the parliamentary framework.

Concept / Approach:
The Public Accounts Committee is composed of members of Parliament drawn from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, but the chairmanship traditionally goes to a member of the opposition in the Lok Sabha. As the presiding officer and administrative head of the Lok Sabha, the Speaker is responsible for appointing the Chairman of this committee from among its members. Neither the Prime Minister, nor the President, nor the Finance Minister has this formal power. The approach is to link parliamentary committees with the authority of the Speaker in constituting and guiding them.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Recall that the Public Accounts Committee is a committee of Parliament dealing with financial oversight. Step 2: Recognise that parliamentary committees, especially those relating to the Lok Sabha, are usually constituted and headed under the direction of the Speaker. Step 3: Remember that by convention the Chairman is normally chosen from the largest opposition party but the formal appointment is made by the Speaker. Step 4: Note that the Prime Minister and Finance Minister are part of the executive, not authorities for appointing committee chairs. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard parliamentary procedure manuals and polity textbooks describe the composition and functioning of the Public Accounts Committee. They clearly state that its members are elected or nominated from both Houses, and that the Speaker of the Lok Sabha appoints one of these members as the Chairperson. Modern practice also emphasises that this chairperson is usually an opposition leader, reinforcing the idea of legislative control over government spending. Cross checking these descriptions confirms that the Speaker, not any executive authority, appoints the Chairman.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Prime Minister of India: The Prime Minister leads the executive and appears before the House, but does not appoint the chairs of legislative committees. President of India: The President is the nominal head of the state and acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers; appointment of parliamentary committee chairs does not fall within this role. Union Finance Minister: This minister presents the budget and is subject to scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee, so it would be inappropriate and contrary to parliamentary norms for the minister to appoint the committee's chair. These options therefore do not match the established procedure.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes assume that because the Public Accounts Committee deals with finance, the Finance Minister must have some direct role in its leadership. Others mistakenly think that the President appoints all important office holders. Such misconceptions overlook the separation between executive and legislative functions and the internal autonomy of Parliament. To avoid these errors, aspirants should remember that the Speaker controls the internal working of the Lok Sabha and therefore plays a key role in constituting and guiding its committees, including appointing the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.

Final Answer:
In the Indian Parliament, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.