Parliament polices its own Members. The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee is how it does that — with strict rules about who can complain, what it will hear, and what it can actually decide.
mcqquestion.com · Indian Polity🛡️ Exam Edge
🛡️ The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee
Keeping Parliament’s own conduct above reproach.
ConstitutedA standing committee of the Lok Sabha
MandateExamines misconduct and breach of code of conduct
PowersCan summon and seek explanations from members
ReportReports findings to the Speaker
RoleSeparate from the Committee of Privileges
ExamEthics = conduct; Privileges = rights of the House
💡The trap: Do not confuse the Ethics Committee (conduct) with the Committee of Privileges (rights of the House).
mcqquestion.comUPSC · CDS · NDA · CAPF · SSC
Must Know
Origins and Purpose
- Established 2000The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee was initially constituted as an ad-hoc committee in 2000.
- Its roleIt examines complaints of unethical conduct against Members of the Lok Sabha.
- Referred by the SpeakerThe Committee examines complaints referred to it by the Speaker and conducts a preliminary inquiry before deciding how to proceed.
- Why it mattersUPSC tests the 2000 origin and the ad-hoc nature.
- SoThe Ethics Committee started as an ad-hoc body in 2000 to probe MP conduct.
How a Complaint Actually Works
- Only an MP can complainOnly a Member of the Lok Sabha can formally lodge a complaint about another Member’s unethical conduct.
- RoutingA non-member’s information must be routed through an MP.
- Affidavit requirementIf the complaint is based on someone else’s information (not the complaining MP’s own), it must be supported by an affidavit.
- SoComplaints must come from an MP, with an affidavit if the information is second-hand.
What It Does Not Entertain
- Sub-judice mattersThe Committee does not take up complaints that are sub-judice (pending in court).
- Why it mattersUPSC tests this exclusion directly.
- MechanismMatters before the courts are left for the judiciary.
- SoSub-judice matters are outside the Committee’s scope.
Good to Know
The Committee’s Role After Inquiry
- Reports to the HouseOnce it completes its inquiry, the Committee reports its findings and recommendations to the House.
- Why it mattersThe Committee itself does not punish; it recommends to the House.
- MechanismThe House decides on the action based on the report.
- SoThe Committee investigates and reports; the House decides.
A Notable Case
- The expulsionThe Committee’s recommendation led to an MP’s expulsion on 8 December 2023 in the cash-for-query case.
- Why it mattersThis is a concrete, testable application of the Committee’s powers.
- MechanismIt shows how an ethics finding becomes a House action.
- SoThe 2023 cash-for-query expulsion is a landmark use of the Committee.
Why Ethics Committees Matter
- Parliamentary integrityThe Committee upholds standards of conduct in the Lok Sabha.
- Why it mattersIt gives Members a mechanism to police unethical behaviour.
- MechanismComplaints and inquiry create accountability among Members.
- SoThe Committee strengthens parliamentary ethics and accountability.
✅ Test Yourself
Work through a 5-question chain on the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee, then keep practising with a random Indian Polity question.
Great to Know
Ethics vs Privileges Committee
- Distinct bodiesThe Ethics Committee is separate from the Committee on Privileges.
- Why it mattersPrivileges deals with breaches of parliamentary privilege; ethics with general conduct.
- MechanismEach has a different focus and procedure.
- SoDo not confuse the Ethics Committee with the Privileges Committee.
- ResultKnowing the difference stops you from picking the wrong body in an exam.
Exam Angle
- Trap optionA non-member can complain directly is wrong — only an MP can.
- DistractorThe Committee takes up sub-judice matters is false.
- Fact testedThe Ethics Committee was initially ad-hoc (2000) and reports to the House.
- EliminateCheck the complaint rules and the sub-judice exclusion.
- TryAttempt the linked MCQs on the Ethics Committee.
- SoApply this elimination test to each option, because the trap usually hides in who is bound by the rule, not in the surface wording.
PYQ / Exam Angle
UPSC CSP 2019: Disqualification and Parliament
- QuestionUPSC asked about the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959, which exempts several posts from disqualification — part of how membership and ethics are regulated.
- WhyThe law helps fix which offices a member may hold without being disqualified — a recurring exam angle around parliamentary ethics and membership.
- LinkSource: UPSC CSP 2019 (see Q49).
Current Affairs / So What
Why It Matters Today
- DevelopmentThe cash-for-query expulsion keeps parliamentary ethics in the news.
- Why it mattersEach new ethics case tests how the Committee’s rules apply.
- So whatExpect current-affairs questions linking recent expulsions to the Committee’s procedures.
Beyond the answer
Browse all indian-polity-and-constitution topics →
📚 Keep reading
Polity0227 — Article 105: Parliamentary Privileges and the Sita Soren CasePolity0025 — Parliament: Composition, Elections and SessionsPolity0333 — Parliamentary Committees in IndiaPolity0237 — Article 194: State Legislature Privileges and the Keshav Singh CaseUPSC CSP 2024 — General Studies Paper I (Full Question Paper)❓ Practice this topic
Who administers PSARA licensing at the state level?Q5: What is PESA's core purpose?Q4: Why does force alone fail to end left-wing extremism long-term?Q3: What does the Tribes Advisory Council do under the Fifth Schedule?🎲 Take a Indian Polity And Constitution Quiz
Leave a Reply