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

Consider the following statements in respect of provisions for removing deadlock between the two houses of Parliament. After a bill has been passed by one house and transmitted to the other houses, the President may notify to the houses his intention to summon them for a joint sitting if:

  1. The bill is rejected by the other house.
  2. The house have finally disagreed between amendments to be made in the bill.
  3. More than three months have elapsed from the date of the receipt of the bill by the other house without the bill being passed by it. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. 1 and 2 only

  3. 2 and 3 only

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

A joint sitting can be summoned by the President if a bill is rejected by the other House or if the Houses disagree on amendments. The third condition for a joint sitting is when more than six months (not three) have passed since the receipt of the bill without it being passed.

Multiple choice

Which committee, constituted by the Lok Sabha, comprises members of the Rajya Sabha also?

  1. Business Advisory Committee

  2. The Committee of the Public Undertakings

  3. Public Accounts Committee

  4. Rules Committee
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Public Undertakings both include members from both the Lok Sabha (15) and the Rajya Sabha (7). In contrast, the Estimates Committee consists of 30 members drawn exclusively from the Lok Sabha.

Multiple choice

The members of the Constituent Assembly were

  1. elected through indirect elections by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies (Lower House only)

  2. elected directly by the people

  3. nominated by the government

  4. elected by the local self-government bodies
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The members of the Constituent Assembly were not elected directly by the people but were instead chosen indirectly by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies. This method was adopted due to the practical difficulties of holding a direct election at that time.

Multiple choice

Which of the following refers to 'Zero' hour?

  1. When the proposals of opposition are considered in the Parliament.

  2. Interval between the morning and afternoon session in the Parliament.

  3. When a money bill is introduced in the Lok Sabha.

  4. When matters of utmost importance are raised in the Parliament.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Zero Hour is an informal tool available to Members of Parliament to raise matters of urgent public importance without prior notice. It typically starts at 12 noon, immediately following the Question Hour, and is unique to the Indian parliamentary system.

Multiple choice

The Parliament of Afghanistan is known as

  1. Shora

  2. Majlis

  3. Khural

  4. National Assembly
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Parliament of Afghanistan is traditionally referred to as the Shora, which is the Dari and Pashto term for council or assembly. While it is also called the National Assembly in English, Shora is the specific nomenclature often tested in general knowledge.

Multiple choice

In the Lok Sabha unless there is a quorum, the Speaker should not conduct the proceedings. To ensure this-

  1. The Speaker usually counts the heads at the beginning of every day's first section

  2. The parliamentary Secretariat keeps a watch on the attendance in the House and informs the Speaker

  3. The attendance register kept at the entrance is Speaker

  4. The Speaker relies only on the members to bring to his notice the lack of a quorum
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Parliamentary Secretariat is responsible for tracking the attendance of members and providing administrative support to the Speaker. While members can raise a point of order regarding the lack of a quorum, the Secretariat maintains the official record and keeps the Speaker informed of the house's status. Article 100 of the Constitution mandates that the Speaker must adjourn or suspend the meeting if the quorum (one-tenth of the total members) is not met.

Multiple choice

A Bill passed by the Parliament has to be signed by the

  1. Prime Minister

  2. President

  3. Cabinet

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

For a bill to become an act, it must be passed by both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and then receive the assent of the President. The President's signature is the final step in the legislative process.

Multiple choice

Who among the following has the right to take part in the proceedings of any committee of Parliament without being a member of it?

  1. Deputy Chairperson of Finance Commission

  2. Comptroller and Auditor General of India

  3. The Attorney General of India

  4. Election Commissioner
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Attorney General of India has the right to speak and participate in the proceedings of either House of Parliament or any joint sitting and any committee of Parliament of which they may be named a member, but they do not have the right to vote.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not true of Rajya Sabha?

  1. The Vice-President is the ex-officio chairman of the house

  2. It is the upper house of the Parliament

  3. The nominated members of the Rajya Sabha also elect the President

  4. Money bills cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha

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

Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha are not part of the electoral college that elects the President of India. While they participate in the election of the Vice President, the Presidential election is limited to elected members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.

Multiple choice

The Rajya Sabha which is the upper house of the Indian Parliament:

  1. is a permanent body

  2. has a life of six years

  3. has a life of five years

  4. has a life of four years

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

The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. While its members are elected for a six-year term with one-third of them retiring every two years, the house itself continues to exist indefinitely.

Multiple choice

A money bill can originate

  1. only in the Rajya Sabha

  2. at the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

  3. only in the Lok Sabha

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

According to Article 109 of the Indian Constitution, a Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha (the Lower House). It cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha has very limited powers to delay or suggest changes to it. The President's prior recommendation is also required for its introduction.

Multiple choice

Money bill can only be introduced in the _____.

  1. Lok Sabha

  2. Rajya Sabha

  3. Joint session of both the houses

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

A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha on the recommendation of the President. The Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a Money Bill; it can only make recommendations and must return the bill within 14 days.

Multiple choice

The Rajya Sabha has equal powers with the Lok Sabha-

  1. In the matter of creating New All India Services

  2. In amending the constitution

  3. In the removal of government

  4. In making cut motions
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Under Article 368, a constitutional amendment bill must be passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha with a special majority, and there is no provision for a joint sitting. In contrast, the Rajya Sabha has more power in creating New All India Services (Article 312) and less power in financial matters like cut motions or the removal of the government. Therefore, equality is specifically maintained in the amendment process.