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25 Dec 2025·Source: The Indian Express
3 min
Polity & GovernancePolity & GovernancePolity & GovernanceEDITORIAL

Parliamentary Scrutiny Declines: A Threat to India's Deliberative Democracy

India's Parliament is increasingly bypassing scrutiny, raising concerns about democratic deliberation.

Parliamentary Scrutiny Declines: A Threat to India's Deliberative Democracy

Photo by Martin Foskett

Editorial Analysis

The author expresses deep concern over the declining quality of parliamentary deliberation and scrutiny in India, viewing it as a threat to the foundational principles of democracy and effective governance.

Main Arguments:

  1. There is a significant decline in legislative scrutiny, with a growing number of Bills passed quickly, often without being referred to parliamentary committees. This reduces the quality of legislation.
  2. The bypassing of parliamentary committees deprives Bills of expert review and public input, leading to laws that may be poorly drafted or have unintended consequences.
  3. The current trend of rapid legislative passage undermines the deliberative function of Parliament, transforming it into a mere "rubber stamp" rather than a forum for robust debate and accountability.

Conclusion

The author concludes that the erosion of parliamentary deliberation is a serious threat to India's democracy, leading to less effective governance and a weakening of the social contract between the state and its citizens.

Policy Implications

The article implies a need for reforms to strengthen parliamentary committees, ensure adequate time for debate, and restore the deliberative function of Parliament to ensure robust law-making.

India's Parliament, once a vibrant forum for debate, is increasingly becoming a "rubber stamp," with a concerning decline in legislative scrutiny. The article highlights that a significant number of Bills, including crucial ones like the three criminal law Bills, are passed with minimal discussion, often without being referred to parliamentary committees. For instance, 80% of Bills in the 17th Lok Sabha were passed within an hour, a stark contrast to the 60% in the 14th Lok Sabha.

This trend undermines the democratic process, as laws are enacted without adequate public or expert input, potentially leading to flawed legislation. This erosion of deliberation impacts every citizen, as laws directly affect their lives, from economic policies to fundamental rights. As a future civil servant, understanding this decline is crucial for upholding democratic principles.

Key Facts

1.

80% of Bills in 17th Lok Sabha passed within an hour

2.

60% of Bills in 14th Lok Sabha passed within an hour

3.

3 criminal law Bills passed without referring to committee

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

Constitutional provisions related to legislative procedure (Articles 107-122)

2.

Role and functions of Parliamentary Committees (Standing, Ad Hoc, Departmentally Related Standing Committees)

3.

Concept of deliberative democracy and its importance in law-making

4.

Checks and balances in the Indian political system

5.

Impact of executive dominance and anti-defection law on legislative scrutiny

6.

Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

Visual Insights

More Information

Background

India's parliamentary system, inspired by the Westminster model, envisages Parliament as the supreme legislative body, responsible for law-making, holding the executive accountable, and representing the will of the people. Historically, parliamentary debates and committee scrutiny were robust mechanisms to ensure comprehensive deliberation before legislation was enacted. The Constituent Assembly debates emphasized the importance of a strong, deliberative Parliament as a cornerstone of Indian democracy.

Latest Developments

Recent trends indicate a significant decline in parliamentary scrutiny, characterized by a reduced number of Bills being referred to parliamentary committees, shorter discussion times for legislation, and an increasing reliance on ordinances. The article highlights that a substantial percentage of Bills are passed with minimal debate, turning Parliament into a 'rubber stamp' rather than a vibrant forum for deliberation. This trend is exemplified by statistics showing a sharp increase in Bills passed within an hour in recent Lok Sabhas compared to earlier ones.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding Parliamentary Committees in India: 1. Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) are permanent and examine Bills referred to them, but their recommendations are not binding on the Parliament. 2. Ad Hoc Committees are constituted for a specific purpose and cease to exist once their task is completed. 3. The Speaker of Lok Sabha and the Chairman of Rajya Sabha refer all Bills introduced in their respective Houses to DRSCs for detailed scrutiny. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is correct. DRSCs are permanent committees that scrutinize Bills, demand for grants, and annual reports of ministries. Their recommendations are advisory and not binding on Parliament. Statement 2 is correct. Ad Hoc Committees, like Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs), are temporary and dissolve after completing their assigned task. Statement 3 is incorrect. While DRSCs play a crucial role in scrutiny, it is not mandatory for *all* Bills to be referred to them. The decision to refer a Bill rests with the presiding officers (Speaker/Chairman) or the House itself, and increasingly, many crucial Bills are passed without such referral, as highlighted in the article.

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