Civics Polity

Legislature and Parliament

1,499 Questions

Legislature and Parliament topics cover the structure, functions, and legislative procedures of the lawmaking bodies. This collection focuses on the passage of bills, parliamentary committees, and the roles of different houses. These questions are highly relevant for civil services and state public service commission examinations.

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Legislature and Parliament Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following conditions is attached to a Governor`s office?

(a) Governor shall not hold any other office of profit. (b) Governor shall be entitled to an official residence. (c) He should not be a member of either House of the Parliament or state legislature. (d) The governor is entitled to such emoluments/allowances and privileges as may be determined by the legislature of the concerned state.

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b)

  3. Only (c)

  4. Only (d)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Governor is entitled to emoluments as determined by the Parliament.

Multiple choice

The total number of members in the Legislative Council of State shall not exceed one-third of the total number of members in Legislative Assembly provided that the total number of members in the Legislative Council shall in no case be less than

  1. sixty

  2. forty

  3. seventy

  4. fifty/no such limit
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Article 171 lays down that the number of members in the Legislative Council of State shall not exceed 1/3 of the total number of members in Legislative Assembly of that state provided that the total number of members in the Legislative Council shall in case be less than forty.

Multiple choice

On which of the following occasions is the special address of the governor held?

(a) At the commencement of the first session after each General Election (b) At the commencement of the first session of each year (c) At the commencement of each session (d) On the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (a) and (b)

  3. Only (c)

  4. All (a), (b), (c) and (d)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Special address of the Governor is arranged at the commencement of the first session after each General Election and the first session of each year.

Multiple choice

The total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly is subject to each Census. (a) Upon completion of a census, the total number of seats in 2.A and the division of state into territorial Constituencies shall be readjusted. (b) Provided that such readjustment shall not affect representation in Legislative Assembly until the dissolution of the then existing Assembly. (c) The readjustment shall take effect from such date as the State Governor may, by order, specify. (d) Until any readjustment, the election to the Legislative Assembly may be held on the basis of status quo.

Which of the above is incorrect?

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b)

  3. Only (c)

  4. Only (d)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The readjustment takes effect from such date as the President may, by order, specify.

Multiple choice

A speaker of the Legislative Assembly ceases to be the speaker if (a) he ceases to be member of Assembly (b) he resigns his office (c) he earns displeasure of the Governor (d) he is removed by a resolution of the Assembly

Which of the above is incorrect?

  1. Only (a) and (b)

  2. Only (c)

  3. Only (c) and (d)

  4. Only (a), (b) and (c)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

According to Article 179 (c), the removal of the Speaker through a resolution of the Assembly requires 14 days notice. When a motion for his removal is discussed in the Assembly, the Speaker does not preside over the Assembly.

Multiple choice

The composition of the Legislative Council shall be as provided:

(a) 1/3 shall be elected by electorates consisting of members of municipalities, Zila Parishad (District Boards) etc. (b) 1/3 shall be elected by members of Legislative Assembly of the state from amongst persons who are not members of Assembly. (c) 1/12 shall be elected by electorates consisting of persons residing in states who have been for at least three years graduates of any university in India. (d) The remainder shall be nominated by Governor as per provisions of clause (3).

Which of the above is/are not correct?

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b)

  3. Only (c)

  4. Only (d)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The remainder shall be nominated by the Governor as per provisions of clause (5), not clause (3).

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements regarding fate of Bill in State Legislature:

(a) A bill pending shall lapse on prorogation of the House. (b) A bill pending in Legislative Assembly and not passed by Legislative Assembly shall not lapse on dissolution of Legislative Assembly. (c) A bill pending in Legislative Assembly or after having been passed in Legislative Assembly is pending in Legislative Assembly shall lapse on the dissolution of the Assembly. (d) A bill is deemed to be passed if passed by both the Houses.

Which of these statements is/are incorrect?

  1. Only (a)

  2. Only (b) and (c)

  3. Only (d)

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Article 196 lays down that a bill pending in the legislature of a state shall not lapse by reason of prorogation of the House or Houses thereof.

Multiple choice

Delegated legislation is

  1. the phenomenon of shirking of responsibility

  2. the phenomenon of gathering some funds for political purposes

  3. the phenomenon of empowering an administrative agency which has acquired expertise in one field to effectively discharge its functions

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Delegated legislation is the phenomenon of empowering an administrative agency which has acquired expertise in one field to effectively discharge its functions.

Multiple choice

The Government of the Union of India is parliamentary in character. One of the characteristics of a parliamentary system of the Government is that

  1. the Ministry is collectively responsible to both Houses of Parliament

  2. the Ministry is not responsible to the Parliament

  3. the Ministry is responsible to the Head of the State

  4. the Ministry is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In India's parliamentary system, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (lower house). They must retain the confidence of the Lok Sabha majority to remain in office. The Ministry is not responsible to the Rajya Sabha, both Houses jointly, or the President (Head of State). If the Lok Sabha rejects a government decision, the Ministry must resign.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. The Chairman of the UPSC refers the matters regarding removal of other members of the UPSC, on grounds of misbehaviour, to the Supreme Court for an enquiry.
  2. The Parliament can place the personnel system of any public institution within the jurisdiction of the UPSC.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement (1) is wrong. The President refers the matters regarding removal of the UPSC Chairman and other members of the UPSC, on grounds of misbehaviour, to the Supreme Court for an enquiry. Statement (2) is correct. The jurisdiction of the UPSC can be extended by an act made by the Parliament. The additional functions relating to the services of the Union can be conferred on UPSC by the Parliament. It can also place the personnel system of any authority, corporate body or public institution within the jurisdiction of the UPSC. Hence, the jurisdiction of UPSC can be extended by an act made by the Parliament. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following is/ are correct?

  1. Half of the members of the UPSC should have held office for at least 10 years under the Government of India.
  2. Parliament does not have a role in deciding the salaries of the members of the UPSC.
  3. A member of UPSC is eligible for employment under the Government of India.

  1. Only 1

  2. 1 and 2

  3. Only 3

  4. 1 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct.  One half of the members of the commission should have held office for at least 10 years either under the GoI or under the government of state.

Statement 2 is correct. The entire expense of the chairman and the UPSC members are changed on the Consolidated Fund of India which is not subjected to vote of Parliament. Statement 3 is wrong. A member of UPSC on ceasing to hold office is eligible for appointment as the chairman of UPSC or SPSC but not for any other employment under GoI or state.
Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. MPs and MLAs represent constituencies of municipal areas.
  2. Members with special knowledge in municipal administration have the right to vote in meetings of municipal issues.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1: It is correct. MPs and MLAs represent constituencies of municipal areas. Members of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly represent constituencies that comprises wholly or partly the municipal areas and members of Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Council registered as electors within municipal areas.

Statement 2: It is incorrect. Persons having special knowledge or experience in municipal administration have no right to vote in the meetings of municipality.

Multiple choice

Sometimes the members get the normal work of the State Legislature suspended temporarily to discuss matters of urgent public importance. It is done through

  1. suspensory veto

  2. adjournment motion

  3. no-confidence motion

  4. cut-motion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

An adjournment motion allows legislators to set aside the regular business of the House to discuss urgent matters of public importance. Unlike a no-confidence motion, which tests the government's majority, or cut-motions, which reduce budget allocations, the adjournment motion focuses specifically on urgent public issues. Suspensory veto is an executive power unrelated to legislative procedure.

Multiple choice

When can the Governor of a State reserve a bill for the consideration of the President?

  1. If it initiates entirely a new policy that was not followed by the previous governments.

  2. If the bill enhances the prestige and position of the Ruling Party in the State.

  3. If it undermines authority of High Court or the Central Government.

  4. If he feels that the bill is against the interests of the opposition parties.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Option 3 is correct.