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.

Money billsParliamentary committeesLegislative proceduresRajya Sabha rulesState legislaturesImpeachment process

Legislature and Parliament Questions

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements regarding Special Powers and Position of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha:

  1. Determines whether a bill is a 'Money Bill' or not
  2. Prorogues and adjourns the House for some time
  3. Presides over the joint sittings of the two Houses
  4. Acts as the Secretariat of the Lok Sabha

Which of the above given statements are true for the Speaker?

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 1, 2 and 3

  3. 1, 3 and 4

  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Except function/power (2), all other are enjoyed by the Speaker. Students need to understand the difference between 'prorogation' and 'adjournment'. Where 'adjournment' is a short period within a session of the Parliament and called by the Speaker, 'prorogation' is done by the President on the advice of the Council of Ministers. It brings a session of the Parliament to an end.

Hence, option 3 is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

A ‘starred question’ in Lok Sabha is listed for

  1. a written reply with provision for supplementary questions

  2. an oral reply with provision for supplementary questions

  3. an oral reply followed by a written communication, but without provision for supplementary questions

  4. an oral reply followed by a written communication and with provision for supplementary questions
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Members have a right to ask questions to elicit information on matters of public importance within the special cognizance of the concerned Ministers. The questions are of four types: (i)   Starred Questions  (ii)  Unstarred Questions  (iii) Short Notice Questions  (iv) Questions to Private Members  A Starred Question is the one to which a member desires an oral answer from the Minister in the House and is required to be distinguished by him/her with an asterisk. Answer to such a question may be followed by supplementary questions by the members.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. The Parliament, under Article 169, is empowered to create or abolish the Legislative Council in a State.
  2. For this, the concerned State Legislative Assembly should pass a resolution to this effect by simple majority.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both of these

  4. Neither of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Under Article 169 of the Indian constitution, the Parliament is empowered to create or abolish the Legislative Council in a state. Statement 2 is incorrect: For this, the concerned State Legislative Assembly should pass a resolution to this effect by a majority of not less than 2/3rd of the members present and voting, not simple majority, which is just more than 50% of the total strength of the House.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is/are the power(s) of State Legislature?

  1. It plays a role in amendment of the fundamental provisions of the constitution.
  2. It considers reports of the State Public Service Commission.
  3. It takes part in the election of the President.

  1. Only 2

  2. Only 1 and 2

  3. Only 2 and 3

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is wrong: State Legislature has no role in amendment of the fundamental provisions of the constitution. Any amendment to the Constitution of India can only be made by the Parliament, i.e. the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Statement 2 is correct: Reports of the State Public Service Commission are considered by the State Legislature. Statement 3 is correct: The President of India is elected by an electoral college that consists of elected members of both the Houses of the Parliament and the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies.

Multiple choice

Which types of Bills can be reserved by the Governor for the consideration of the President?

  1. Bills that are ultra vires
  2. Bills that are opposed to the DPSPs
  3. ls that endanger the position of the State High Court
  4. Bills dealing with the compulsory acquisition of property under Article 31 IA of the Constitution

  1. Only 2 and 3

  2. Only 1, 2 and 3

  3. Only 2

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Under Article 201 of the Indian Constitution, the Governor of a State can reserve following types of Bills for consideration of the President:

1. Bills that are ultra vires, that is, against the provisions of National importance

2. Bills that are opposed to the DPSPs
3. ls that endanger the position of the State High Court 4. Bills dealing with the compulsory acquisition of property under Article 31 IA of the Constitution

Multiple choice

As per the Indian constitution, the strength of the Legislative Assembly of a state should be between 60 and 500. Which of the following states are exceptions to this guideline?

  1. Uttar Pradesh
  2. Sikkim
  3. Tamil Nadu
  4. Goa

  1. Only 1 and 4

  2. Only 2 and 4

  3. Only 1 and 3

  4. Only 2 and 3

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

As per the Indian constitution, the strength of the Legislative Assembly of a state should be between 60 and 500, but the President has the power to alter this number as the number also depends upon the size of the population of the state. In India, Sikkim (32), Goa (40) and Mizoram (40) are the states that have less than 60 members in their Legislative Assemblies.

Multiple choice

The Indian Parliament can invade the State List if I. a subject in the State List assumes National importance II. a proclamation of emergency has been issued by the President of India III. it becomes important to implement some international treaty or agreement or convention

Which of the following is/are correct?

  1. II and III

  2. I and II

  3. I and III

  4. I, II and III
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Enforcement over the state list by the Union -  

The constitution gives the Central government authority to interfere in State list under special circumstances:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
At the Resolution of Rajya Sabha - 
The Union Parliament will be authorized to pass a law on a subject of state list about which the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution with 2/3rds majority of the members present and voting saying that subject has attained national importance.
Request of the states -
Failure of the constitutional machinery - 
The Parliament is empowered to pass laws on the state subject for the state in which emergency has been proclaimed because of the failure of constitutional machinery.
During emergency -
The Parliament has the authority to pass laws on any subjects of the state list during the emergency proclaimed because of war and external aggression etc.
Enforcement of International treaties -
The Parliament has the power to make law on any item of the state in order to implement some international treaty or agreement or convention.
Assent of President is essential - Some Bills are reserved by the Governor for the signature of the President after being passed by the state Legislature e.g. Bills concerning restrictions as the powers of High Courts and Bills concerning acquisitions on property by the state by paying compensation etc. The President has the power of absolute veto over the Bills which are thus reserved by the Governors for his signature.

Multiple choice

Provisions relating to disqualification of the members of Parliament and State Legislatures on the ground of anti-defection are carried in the

  1. Sixth Schedule

  2. Ninth Schedule

  3. Tenth Schedule

  4. Twelfth Schedule
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Anti-Defection Law is contained in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which was introduced by the 52nd Amendment in 1985 during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi. Earlier, the 10th schedule was related to association of Sikkim with India. Once, Sikkim became full fledged state, this schedule was repealed via the 36th Amendment Act.

Multiple choice

Every resolution approving the proclamation of emergency or its continuance must be passed by either House of Parliament by a/an

  1. special majority

  2. simple majority

  3. effective majority

  4. absolute majority
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Parliamentary approval of emergency proclamation requires a special majority (not simple or absolute). Special majority means: (a) majority of total membership + (b) 2/3 of members present and voting. This higher threshold prevents misuse of emergency powers. Simple majority is insufficient for such a serious matter.

Multiple choice

A resolution approving the proclamation of financial emergency can be passed by either House of the Parliament only by a

  1. simple majority

  2. effective majority

  3. absolute majority

  4. special majority
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Article 360 specifies that a resolution approving the proclamation of financial emergency requires only a simple majority of members present and voting in each House. Unlike other constitutional provisions requiring special majority, financial emergency approval has a lower voting threshold.

Multiple choice

At present, a proclamation of emergency can be revoked

  1. by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha by a subsequent proclamation

  2. by the Lok Sabha with a resolution passed by simple majority

  3. jointly by the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha with a resolution passed by simple majority

  4. ointly by the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha with a resolution passed by special majority
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Per Article 352, a proclamation of emergency can be revoked by a resolution of the Lok Sabha passed by simple majority. Rajya Sabha consent is not required for revocation, unlike initial approval which requires both Houses. The President can also revoke directly by subsequent proclamation.

Multiple choice

On which of the following aspects does a “Proclamation of Emergency” have its effects?

  1. Centre-State Relationship
  2. The life of the Union Parliament and State Legislative Assembly
  3. Fundamental Rights

  1. Only 3

  2. Only 2 and 3

  3. Only 1 and 3

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A “Proclamation of Emergency” has drastic and wired ranging effects on the political system. These consequences can be grouped into three categories:

  1. Effects on the Centre-State Relationship
  2. Effects on the life of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies
  3. Effects on the Fundamental Rights Note: The Union Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha and the President of India. A “Proclamation of Emergency” does not have any effect on the life of the Rajya Sabha or on the tenure of the President of India. It affects only the life of the Lok Sabha.
Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. A proclamation of emergency may be revoked by the President at any time by a subsequent proclamation.
  2. Such a proclamation does not require any parliamentary approval.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both of these

  4. Neither of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The President can revoke an emergency at any time by issuing a subsequent proclamation (Article 352). Statement 2 is correct: Such a revocation proclamation does not require parliamentary approval, as clarified by the 44th Amendment. Unlike initial approval, revocation is solely an executive prerogative.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. While a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation, the Parliament can enact laws even on the subjects enumerated under the State List as the Legislatures of the State are suspended for the time being.
  2. While a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation, the administration gets converted into a unitary system.

  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 incorrect: While a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation, the Parliament can enact laws even on the subjects enumerated under the State List. But, it should be noted that the Legislatures of the State are not suspended; it is only the distribution of the Legislative powers between the Union and the States that is suspended for the duration of the Emergency.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the correct process for the removal of Pradhan of a Gaon Sabha?

  1. The Pradhan can be removed by majority of the villagers.

  2. The Pradhan can be removed by majority of the members of the Gram Sabha.

  3. The Pradhan can be removed by the majority of two-third of the members of the Gaon Sabha present and voting.

  4. The Pradhan can be removed by an order passed by District Deputy Collector.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Pradhan can be removed by the majority of two-third of the members of the Gaon Sabha present and voting.