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Parliament can create or abolish Legislative Councils in States under Article 169, if the State Legislative Assembly passes a resolution by ______ majority.
- simple
- two-thirds
- three-fourths
- absolute
Answer: two-thirds
Article 169: Parliament can create/abolish State Legislative Council (upper house) by law, if State Assembly passes resolution by special majority (2/3 of members present and voting). Council is permanent body with 1/3 members retiring every 2 years. Currently, 6 States have Councils: UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh.
The Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law) was added by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985 to curb political defections.
- True
- False
Answer: True
52nd Amendment (1985) inserted Tenth Schedule: Members disqualified if (a) voluntarily give up party membership, or (b) vote/abstain contrary to party whip without prior permission. Exceptions: merger of 2/3 members, independent members joining party post-election, nominated members joining party after 6 months. Speaker/Chairman decides disqualification.
Constitutional Amendment Bills under Article 368 require special majority in Parliament. What does 'special majority' mean?
- Simple majority of members present and voting
- Majority of total membership and 2/3 of members present and voting
- Unanimous approval of both Houses
- Approval by half of State Legislatures
Answer: Majority of total membership and 2/3 of members present and voting
Article 368(2): Most Constitutional Amendments require: (a) majority of total membership of each House, AND (b) 2/3 majority of members present and voting. Some amendments (federal provisions) additionally require ratification by half of State Legislatures. This ensures broad consensus for constitutional changes.
The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is devoted to ______, during which members ask questions and ministers give answers.
- Zero Hour
- Question Hour
- Legislative Business
- Budget Discussion
Answer: Question Hour
Question Hour (first hour of sitting) allows MPs to ask questions (starred, unstarred, short notice) to ministers about administration. Zero Hour (informal, post-Question Hour) allows raising urgent matters without prior notice. Both are crucial tools for executive accountability and public grievance redressal.
Prorogation of a House terminates all pending notices and motions, whereas adjournment sine die does not affect pending business.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Adjournment (daily/short break) doesn't affect pending business. Prorogation (end of session) terminates pending notices but NOT bills or motions. Dissolution (end of Lok Sabha term) terminates all pending business except bills pending in Rajya Sabha and passed by Lok Sabha. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for procedure questions.
Which Parliamentary Committee is known as the 'twin sister' of Estimates Committee?
- Public Accounts Committee
- Committee on Public Undertakings
- Department-related Standing Committees
- Business Advisory Committee
Answer: Committee on Public Undertakings
Committee on Public Undertakings (1964) examines reports of CAG on public sector undertakings, like Estimates Committee examines government expenditure estimates. Both are financial committees with Lok Sabha majority. PAC (oldest, 1921) audits post-expenditure; Estimates Committee examines pre-expenditure proposals.
The Annual Financial Statement (Budget) is presented to Lok Sabha under Article ______, and demands for grants are voted by Lok Sabha only.
- 110
- 112
- 113
- 114
Answer: 112
Article 112: President causes Annual Financial Statement (Budget) to be laid before Parliament. Article 113: Demands for grants are voted by Lok Sabha only; Rajya Sabha can discuss but not vote. Article 114: Appropriation Bill authorizes expenditure from Consolidated Fund. This upholds 'no taxation without representation' principle.
A bill becomes an Act only after it is passed by both Houses of Parliament and receives the assent of the President.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 111: Standard legislative process: (a) Introduction and passage in both Houses (with exceptions for Money Bills), (b) Presentation to President, (c) Presidential assent. President may assent, withhold assent, or return bill (except Money Bills) for reconsideration. This tripartite process ensures thorough scrutiny.
Parliamentary privileges in India are derived from which source?
- Written Constitution only
- Conventions of British Parliament only
- Article 105 and laws made by Parliament
- Supreme Court judgments only
Answer: Article 105 and laws made by Parliament
Article 105: Powers, privileges, and immunities of Parliament and members are: (a) as defined by Parliament by law, or (b) until so defined, those of British House of Commons as on 26.01.1950. Privileges include freedom of speech in House, immunity from court proceedings for parliamentary acts, right to exclude strangers.
Article 120 allows business in Parliament to be transacted in Hindi or English, and members can address the House in any language included in the ______ Schedule of the Constitution.
- Seventh
- Eighth
- Ninth
- Tenth
Answer: Eighth
Article 120: Parliamentary business in Hindi/English; members may speak in any Eighth Schedule language with presiding officer's permission. Eighth Schedule originally had 14 languages; now 22. This balances national integration with linguistic diversity in legislative proceedings.
All questions in Parliament are decided by majority of votes of members present and voting, with the presiding officer exercising a casting vote in case of equality.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 100(1): Decisions by majority of members present and voting (excluding abstentions). Presiding officers (Speaker/Chairman) don't vote in first instance but exercise casting vote in tie (Article 100(2)). This maintains impartiality while ensuring decisions are reached.
What is the quorum required to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament?
- One-tenth of total membership
- One-third of total membership
- One-half of total membership
- Two-thirds of total membership
Answer: One-tenth of total membership
Article 100(3): Quorum for either House is one-tenth of total membership (including presiding officer). If quorum lacking, presiding officer must adjourn House or suspend meeting. This ensures minimum participation for valid proceedings while preventing obstruction by absentees.
In case of deadlock between Houses on an ordinary bill, President can summon a joint sitting under Article 108, which is presided over by the ______.
- Vice President
- Prime Minister
- Speaker of Lok Sabha
- Chief Justice
Answer: Speaker of Lok Sabha
Article 108: Joint sitting resolves deadlocks on ordinary bills (not Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills). Presided by Speaker; in absence, by Deputy Speaker or Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Decision by simple majority of members present and voting. Used only thrice: 1961, 1978, 2002.
Rajya Sabha can amend a Money Bill and send it back to Lok Sabha for reconsideration.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 109: Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha with President's prior recommendation. Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations within 14 days; Lok Sabha may accept/reject them. If Rajya Sabha doesn't return bill in 14 days, it's deemed passed. This upholds Lok Sabha's financial supremacy.
Which of the following subjects is NOT in the Union List (List I) of Seventh Schedule, on which Parliament has exclusive power to legislate?
- Defence
- Foreign Affairs
- Public Health
- Currency
Answer: Public Health
Seventh Schedule: Union List (97 subjects) includes defence, foreign affairs, currency, etc. Public Health is in State List (List II, Subject 6). Parliament can legislate on State List during Emergency (Article 250), if Rajya Sabha passes resolution (Article 249), or for implementing international agreements (Article 253).
The Speaker of Lok Sabha is elected by members of Lok Sabha from amongst themselves, and can be removed by a resolution passed by a ______ majority of members present and voting.
- simple
- two-thirds
- three-fourths
- absolute
Answer: simple
Article 94: Speaker can be removed by Lok Sabha passing resolution by majority of all then-members present and voting. 14-day notice required. Speaker doesn't vote in first instance, only exercises casting vote in tie. This ensures Speaker remains accountable to House while maintaining impartiality.
A person is disqualified for Parliament membership if they hold an office of profit under Government of India or any State, unless exempted by law.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 102(1)(a): Holding office of profit under Union or State government disqualifies Parliament membership, unless Parliament by law declares otherwise. This prevents conflict of interest between legislative and executive roles. Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 lists exempted offices.
What is the minimum age required to become a member of Lok Sabha?
- 21 years
- 25 years
- 30 years
- 35 years
Answer: 25 years
Article 84(b): Qualifications for Parliament membership: (a) citizen of India, (b) minimum age: 25 for Lok Sabha, 30 for Rajya Sabha, (c) other qualifications as per Parliament law. Age criteria ensure maturity while allowing youth participation in lower house.
The maximum strength of Rajya Sabha is 250, of which 238 represent States and Union Territories, and 12 are nominated by the President for their expertise in literature, science, art, and ______.
- politics
- social service
- economics
- law
Answer: social service
Article 80: Rajya Sabha max strength 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated). Nominated members are persons with special knowledge/practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service. Current strength is 245. Nominations ensure expert voices in legislation without electoral politics.
The normal term of Lok Sabha is 5 years from the date of its first sitting, but can be extended during National Emergency.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 83(2): Lok Sabha term is 5 years unless dissolved earlier. During National Emergency (Article 352), Parliament can extend term by law for one year at a time, not exceeding 6 months after Emergency ceases. This balances democratic mandate with crisis management needs.