Overview

• The government is considering shifting committee tenures from one year to two years as the panels come up for reconstitution.
• Parliament sources indicate most current chairpersons are expected to continue if terms are extended, with member rotations possible on request.
• Reports suggest Congress MP Shashi Tharoor could remain External Affairs Committee chair under an extension, subject to his party’s call.
• Control of top panels such as home, defence and finance is described as non-negotiable, with IT and communications also unlikely to change hands.
• Upcoming retirements of some Rajya Sabha members are being factored into decisions about chair availability over a longer term.