Civics Polity

Legislature and Parliament

1,426 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.

Money billsParliamentary committeesLegislative proceduresRajya Sabha rulesState legislaturesImpeachment process

Legislature and Parliament Questions

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

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.

Multiple choice

Normally there are how many sessions of the parliament in a year?

  1. 5

  2. 3

  3. 4

  4. 7
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Indian Parliament normally holds three sessions each year: the Budget Session (February-May), the Monsoon Session (July-September), and the Winter Session (November-December). This pattern has been followed consistently since independence, though the exact dates can vary.

Multiple choice

Why is the Lok Sabha (LS) considered superior to the Rajya Sabha (RS)?

  1. The LS is elected directly.

  2. Council of Ministers is responsible to LS only.

  3. LS controls the Budget.

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

The Lok Sabha's superiority over the Rajya Sabha primarily stems from its exclusive control over financial matters, particularly the Budget and Money Bills. While the Lok Sabha is directly elected (giving it democratic legitimacy) and the Council of Ministers is responsible only to the Lok Sabha, the key constitutional superiority is financial - Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha cannot reject them, only delay them for 14 days.

Multiple choice

When a Money Bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, but not returned by the Rajya Sabha within 14 days of its receipt,

  1. it cannot become an Act

  2. it is deemed to have been passed by both the Houses

  3. it is again referred to the Rajya Sabha

  4. it is reconsidered by the Lok Sabha itself
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Under Article 108, when a Money Bill is passed by the Lok Sabha and transmitted to the Rajya Sabha, if the Rajya Sabha does not return it within 14 days, it is deemed to have been passed by both Houses. This provision ensures the Lok Sabha's supremacy in financial matters - the Rajya Sabha cannot reject Money Bills, only delay them for a maximum of 14 days.

Multiple choice

According to the Indian constitution, the money bills can be introduced in

  1. the meeting of Council of Ministers

  2. the joint sessions of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha only

  3. the Lok Sabha only

  4. the Rajya Sabha only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A Money Bill can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only. If any question arises about whether a bill is a Money Bill or not, the decision of the Speaker thereon is final. The Speaker is under no obligation to consult anyone in coming to a decision or in giving his certificate that a bill is a Money Bill.