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 the President of India:

I. He/She should be qualified for election as member of the Lok Sabha. II. The impeachment of President can be initiated in the Lok Sabha only. III. A person cannot be elected twice for the post of President. IV. He/She can seek advice from the Supreme Court on any question of law. However, the advice rendered is not binding on the President.

Which of the above statements are true?

  1. I and II

  2. II and III

  3. III and IV

  4. I and IV

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

Statement I is correct.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements regarding passage of ordinary bill in the Parliament:

I. It can be introduced by a minister only. II. It is introduced without recommendation of the President. III. It can be detained by the Rajya Sabha for a maximum period of six months. IV. In case of a deadlock between both the houses, a joint sitting can be summoned by the President. V. It cannot be rejected, returned or approved by the President.

Which of the above statements are correct?

  1. I, III and IV

  2. II, III and V

  3. III, IV and V

  4. II, III and IV

  5. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Statements II, III and IV are correct.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements regarding impeachment of the President:

I. Impeachment process can be initiated in either house of the Parliament. II. Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies participate in the impeachment process. III. Nominated members of either house of the Parliament cannot participate in the impeachment process. IV. No President has been impeached so far.

Which of the above statements are correct?

  1. I and II

  2. II and III

  3. III and IV

  4. I and IV

  5. I and III
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Both the statements are correct.  Under Article 61, the President of India can be removed from the office by a process of impeachment for the violation of the Constitution. The impeachment is to be initiated by either house of the Parliament.The charges are to be framed in the form of resolution, signed at least by 1/4th members of the total members of the house. The President has to be given a notice of 14 days in advance. The resolution is to be passed by 2/3rd majority of the total members of the house and then it is to be sent to the other house for investigation and decision. If the other house, after investigation, sustains the charges and passes the identical resolution with 2/3rd majority of the total membership, the President ceases to hold office from the date such resolution is passed.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements regarding the superior powers of the Lok Sabha wih respect to the Rajya Sabha:

I. Initiation for the removal of the Vice President can take place only in the Lok Sabha. II. A resolution for the discontinuation of national emergency can be passed only by the Lok Sabha. III. The decision of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha regarding a money bill is final. IV. It can only authorise Parliament to create new All India Services common to both Centre and the states. V. It approves the ordinances issued by the President.

Which of the given options are correct?

  1. I and II

  2. II and III

  3. III and IV

  4. IV and V

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement II is correct.  There is no formal process of impeachment for the removal of the Vice President and a removal proceeding can be initiated when members of the Rajya Sabha vote against the Vice President in an effective majority and members of the Lok Sabha agree to this decision in a simple majority.  The Lok Sabha Speaker certifies the bill as a money bill before sending it to the upper house and the decision of the Speaker is binding on both the houses. Article 123 of the Constitution grants the President certain law-making powers to promulgate ordinances when either of the two houses of the Parliament is not in session and hence, it is not possible to enact laws in the Parliament.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements regarding the joint sitting of two houses:

I. A joint sitting can be held in case of a deadlock between the two houses over the passage of a bill. II. Financial bills and money bills cannot be passed by a joint sitting. III. Constitutional Amendment Bill can be passed in a joint sitting. IV. Speaker of the Lok Sabha or Chairman of the Rajya Sabha can preside the joint sittings. V. If the bill (under dispute) has already lapsed due to dissolution of the Lok sabha, no joint sitting can be summoned.

Which of the above statements are true?

  1. I and II

  2. I and V

  3. III and IV

  4. IV and V

  5. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement I is correct. 

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

I. While members of the Rajya Sabha are associated with the committees on public undertakings and public accounts, members from Estimates Committee are drawn only from the Lok Sabha. II. A minister can be appointed as the member of a committee. III. Committee on absence of members is a special committee of the Lok Sabha. IV. Ethics Committee was constituted in the Rajya Sabha prior to the Lok sabha.

Which of the above statements are true?

  1. I and II

  2. II and III

  3. I and III

  4. II and IV

  5. I, III and IV
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The Estimates Committee, constituted for the first time in 1950, is a Parliamentary Committee consisting of 30 Members, elected every year by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members. The Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the Speaker from amongst its members. A minister cannot be elected as a member of the Committee and if a member, after his election to the Committee, is appointed as a minister, he ceases to be a member of the Committee from the date of such appointment. On 4th March, 1997, the Ethics Committee of the Rajya Sabha was constituted. The Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha was constituted on 16th May, 2000. The Committee on absence of the Lok Sabha consists of 15 members who hold office for one year. The members are nominated by the Speaker. This Committee considers all applications from members for leave of absence from the sittings of the house and examines every case where a member has been absent for a period of 60 days or more, without permission, from the sittings of the house.  

Multiple choice

Which among the following is always presented first in Lok Sabha and then in Rajya Sabha

  1. Money Bill

  2. Ordinary Bill

  3. Defense matters Bill

  4. Bill amending criminal Law
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Money Bills must be introduced first in Lok Sabha (Article 117) as they deal with taxation, government spending, and financial matters - the lower house being directly elected gives it primacy in financial matters. Rajya Sabha can only recommend amendments and must return the bill within 14 days, but Lok Sabha may reject those recommendations. Ordinary Bills can be introduced in either house.

Multiple choice

When a constitutional amendment bill goes to the President, he?

  1. Can withhold his assent

  2. Can return it to the parliament for reconsideration

  3. Can delay it for not more than six months

  4. is bound to give his assent
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

For constitutional amendment bills, the President can return the bill to Parliament for reconsideration (but cannot withhold assent indefinitely). This is different from ordinary bills where the President can withhold assent. The President cannot simply delay for six months (option C) nor is bound to give assent without review. Option A is incorrect because withholding assent is not permitted for amendment bills.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not true about the Legislature in India?

  1. Legislative power in India is exercised by the Parliament.

  2. The Parliament enjoys complete sovereignty.

  3. The Rajya Sabha is considered to be the upper house.

  4. The Lok Sabha is considered to be the lower house.

  5. The members of cabinet may be chosen from parliament.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Parliament does not enjoy complete sovereignty, as its laws are subject to judicial review by the Supreme Court of India.

Multiple choice

When is the budget presented to the Parliament?

  1. The last day of February

  2. The last day of March

  3. The first day of March

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

In India, the Union Budget is traditionally presented on the last working day of February (February 28th or 29th). This practice allows time for parliamentary discussion before the new financial year begins on April 1st.

Multiple choice

How many readings does a Non - Money Bill have in each House of the Parliament?

  1. Four

  2. Three

  3. Two

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

A Non-Money Bill goes through three readings in each House of Parliament. First reading introduces the bill, second reading involves detailed discussion and clause-by-clause voting, and third reading is the final vote on the passed bill. Money Bills have a different procedure, but ordinary bills always have these three distinct stages.

Multiple choice

Money Bill can be introduced in the State Legislative Assembly with the prior permission of the _____.

  1. Governor of the State

  2. Chief Minister of the State

  3. Speaker of Legislative Assembly

  4. Finance Minister of the State
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A Money Bill in a State Legislative Assembly requires the prior permission of the Speaker before introduction. This is similar to the Union Parliament where the Lok Sabha Speaker's approval is needed. The Governor, Chief Minister, and Finance Minister do not have this specific constitutional role - the Speaker presides over the legislative process and must certify Money Bills.

Multiple choice

A motion moved by a member in a legislature when it is desired to have a discussion on a matter of urgent public importance is called ______.

  1. adjournment motion

  2. no - confidence motion

  3. cut motion

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

An Adjournment Motion is moved to discuss urgent public matters. It requires special leave from the Speaker and interrupts normal business. Unlike no-confidence motions, it doesn't ask the government to resign.

Multiple choice

A proclamation of emergency under Article 352 on account of war or aggression requires approval of the Parliament within _____.

  1. one month

  2. two months

  3. four months

  4. six months
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Under Article 352, when a President proclaims emergency due to war/external aggression, it must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within one month. If approved, it lasts for six months and can be extended further with parliamentary approval. The one-month window ensures parliamentary control over executive emergency powers.