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

The Rajya Sabha is less powerful than the Lok Sabha in terms of its financial powers because

  1. it does not participate in the passing of the Money Bill

  2. no Money Bill can be introduced in the Rajya Sabha

  3. both 1 and 2

  4. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Rajya Sabha has limited financial powers - it cannot amend or reject Money Bills, can only discuss them for 14 days, and crucially, no Money Bill can be introduced in the Rajya Sabha (only in Lok Sabha).

Multiple choice

What is Zero Hour?

  1. When Money Bill is introduced in the Lok Sabha

  2. When matters of utmost importance are raised

  3. When proposals of opposition are considered

  4. Interval between morning and evening session
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Zero Hour is the time period immediately following Question Hour in Parliament (usually around 12 noon) when MPs can raise matters of urgent public importance with prior notice to the speaker. It is not related to Money Bills, opposition proposals, or session intervals.

Multiple choice

The representation of any state in the Rajya Sabha is according to the

  1. area of the state

  2. population of the state

  3. number of representatives in the Lok Sabha from that state

  4. fixed number of candidates for each state
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Indian Parliament, and seats are allocated to states based on their population size. This ensures proportional representation for the states in the federal structure.

Multiple choice

Which of the following sets of special powers has been conferred on the Rajya Sabha by the Constitution?

  1. To change the existing territory of a state and its name.

  2. To pass a resolution empowering Parliament to make laws in the state list and creation of one or more All India Services.

  3. To amend the election procedure of the President and to determine the pension of the President after his retirement.

  4. To determine the function of the Election Commission and to determine the number of Election Commissioners.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Article 312 confers special powers on the Rajya Sabha to pass a resolution by two-thirds majority empowering Parliament to make laws on matters in the State List and to create one or more All India Services. This is a unique power not available to the Lok Sabha. The other options describe functions that belong to other constitutional bodies or procedures.

Multiple choice

Money bills must be introduced in

  1. the Rajya Sabha only

  2. the Lok Sabha only

  3. either of these two

  4. neither of these two
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

According to the Indian Constitution, a Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of Parliament). The Rajya Sabha has limited powers and can only suggest recommendations within 14 days.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements.

  1. Parliament may be law provided that neither the Supreme Court nor any other Court shall exercise jurisdiction in respect of any dispute or complaint with respect to the use, distribution or control of the water of or in, any inter-state river or river valley.
  2. River Boards Act, 1956 provides for reference of an inter-State river dispute for arbitration by a Water Dispute Tribunal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Multiple choice

Which one of the following statements about the impeachment of the President of India is not correct?

  1. The charge for violation of the Constitution shall be preferred by either House of the Parliament.

  2. The resolution has to be moved after at least thirty days notice in writing.

  3. The resolution has to be signed by not less than one-fourth of the total number of members of the House.

  4. The resolution has to be passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of the House.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

According to Article 61 of the Constitution, the resolution for impeachment of the President must be moved after at least 14 days' notice in writing, not 30 days. The other statements regarding the initiation by either house, the 1/4th signature requirement, and the 2/3rd majority are correct.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements in respect of an Ordinance promulgated by the President of India during the recess of Parliament.1. Such an Ordinance may be withdrawn at any time by the President.

  1. Such an Ordinance shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament and shall cease to operate at the expiration of six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament or before that period if disapproved by both Houses. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

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

Under Article 123, the President can withdraw an ordinance at any time. Furthermore, every ordinance must be laid before both Houses of Parliament and ceases to operate six weeks after the reassembly of Parliament unless it is approved or a resolution disapproving it is passed earlier.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. For the Parliament to make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List, a resolution must be passed in both the Houses of the Parliament.
  2. A resolution passed as stated above can be extended beyond on year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

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

Under Article 249, only the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) needs to pass a resolution by a two-thirds majority to empower Parliament to legislate on a State List matter. Such a resolution remains in force for one year but can be extended for additional one-year periods indefinitely.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. The Chairman of the House of States or Speaker of the House of the People or person acting as such, shall not vote at any sitting of either House of Parliament or joint sitting of the Houses in the first instance, but shall have and exercise a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.
  2. A person is qualified to fill a seat in the Council of States or House of the People if he is not less than twenty-five years of age. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

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

The Speaker or Chairman does not vote in the first instance but has a casting vote in case of a tie (Article 100). However, the age qualification for the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) is 30 years, while for the House of the People (Lok Sabha) it is 25 years; thus, the second statement is incorrect.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. If a Bill other than Money Bill is returned by the President of India for reconsideration of the Houses and the Bill is again passed by both Houses of Parliament with or without amendment and again presented to the President, then it is not obligatory upon him to declare his assent to it.
  2. A Bill for the purpose of formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States can be introduced in either House of Parliament and no recommendation of the President is required for the introduction of such a Bill. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

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

If a Bill is returned by the President and passed again by both Houses, the President MUST give assent (Article 111). For the formation of new states (Article 3), a Bill can only be introduced on the recommendation of the President. Thus, both statements provided are incorrect.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements.

  1. The nature of a Bill, if it is certified by the Speaker of the House of People as a Money Bill, is not open to question in a Court of Law.
  2. The President of India has the power to question the nature of a Bill to be taken as a Money Bill even if it is certified to be so by the Speaker of the House of People. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

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

Article 110(3) states that the Speaker's decision on whether a Bill is a Money Bill is final. While the Supreme Court has ruled that this is subject to judicial review for substantive illegalities, the President has no constitutional power to question the Speaker's certification. Statement 1 is technically false due to judicial review, and Statement 2 is false as the President lacks that power.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements.

  1. Since the sums required to meet expenditure described by the Constitution of India as expenditure charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India are not submitted to the vote of Parliament, no House is competent to discuss these estimates.
  2. Annual Finance Bill provides the legal authority for the withdrawal of sums from the Consolidated Fund of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

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

Statement 1 is incorrect because while expenditure charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India is not submitted to a vote of Parliament, both Houses are legally competent to discuss these estimates. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Appropriation Act provides legal authority for withdrawal of sums from the Consolidated Fund, not the Finance Bill.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements.

  1. A Bill returned by the President for reconsideration does not lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
  2. A Bill passed by the Lok Sabha and pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
  3. A Bill under consideration of the Lok Sabha lapses when the Lok Sabha is prorogued.
  4. A Bill originating in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha and which is still pending in the Rajya Sabha does not lapse. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 2, 3 and 4 only

  2. 1 and 2 only

  3. 3 and 4 only

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

Bills pending in the Rajya Sabha that have not been passed by the Lok Sabha do not lapse upon the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. Similarly, a bill returned by the President for reconsideration remains active. However, a bill passed by the Lok Sabha and pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses, as does any bill pending in the Lok Sabha itself.