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

Lame-duck session of Parliament means-

  1. The first session of Parliament after the elections to the Lok Sabha

  2. The last session of Parliament before the dissolution of the Lok Sabha

  3. The session of Parliament in which the no-confidence motion is discussed

  4. A session of Parliament, which fails to pass any Bill
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A lame-duck session refers to the final session of the existing Lok Sabha after a new Lok Sabha has been elected. The members of the existing Lok Sabha who could not get re-elected to the new Lok Sabha are called 'lame ducks.' This session provides a transition period before the new House is formally constituted.

Multiple choice

If a no-confidence motion is passed against a Minister-

  1. The concerned Minister has to resign

  2. The whole council of Ministers has to resign

  3. The Lok Sabha has to be dissolved

  4. The Prime Minister and the concerned Minister have to resign
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

According to the principle of collective responsibility under Article 75, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. If a no-confidence motion is passed against even a single minister, it is considered a loss of confidence in the entire government. Consequently, the entire Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, must resign.

Multiple choice

Which of the following are the exclusive-powers of the Lok Sabha ?

  1. To introduce Money bills

  2. To ratify the declaration of emergency

  3. To pass a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers

  4. To impeach the President

Choose the correct answer from the code given below :

  1. 1 and 3

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 1 and 4

  4. 3 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Lok Sabha has exclusive power over Money Bills, which cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. Additionally, a motion of no-confidence can only be introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha to remove the Council of Ministers. Ratifying an emergency and impeaching the President are powers shared equally by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is correct about the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2010 passed by both Houses of the Parliament during the Monsoon session, 2010?

  1. The Bill provides voting rights to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)

  2. The Bill provides for government audit of election expenses

  3. The Bill allows Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to contest elections in India

  4. The Bill provides for e-filing of election papers by candidates
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Parliament has approved voting rights for non-resident Indians in elections with the Lok Sabha adopting the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2010 on September 1, 2010. The Rajya Sabha had passed the Bill earlier. The Bill aims at providing rights to Indians who had gone abroad for employment or education, but had not obtained citizenship of the country where they were residing now, to get registered in the electoral rolls and vote in elections to legislatures and Parliament. The voting rights are available for Indian passport holders only. The Bill does not confer on the NRIs the right to contest elections. The NRIs would be allowed to register as voters in the constituency from where they obtained their passports. Internet voting was one option the government would consider.

Multiple choice

The quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of the parliament is

  1. one-third of the total number of members of that house

  2. one-third of the total number of members present

  3. one-tenth of the total number of members of that house

  4. one-tenth of the total number of members present

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

According to the Constitution of India, the quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament is one-tenth of the total number of members of the House.

Multiple choice

The legislature having two houses is known as

  1. uni-cameral

  2. bi-cameral

  3. upper House

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

A legislature with two houses is called a bicameral legislature, such as the US Congress (Senate and House of Representatives) or the Indian Parliament.

Multiple choice

Which of the following arguments is not in favour of the second chamber of a legislature?

  1. It safeguards against the domination of the lower house.

  2. It provides for representation of the special interests and the minorities.

  3. It helps is hasty legislation.

  4. It gives representation to the units in the federation.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The second chamber of a legislature is intended to act as a check on the lower house and prevent the passage of hasty or ill-considered laws. Suggesting it helps in hasty legislation is a criticism of its inefficiency rather than an argument in its favor.

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

A money bill or supply bill is a bill that solely concerns taxation or government spending, as opposed to changes in public law. Money bills passed by the Lok Sabha are sent to the Rajya Sabha. A money bill must be returned to the Lok Sabha within 14 days or the bill is deemed to have been passed by both houses in the form it was originally passed by the Lok Sabha. 

Multiple choice

The Parliament can legislate on the subjects in the State List if the

  1. President issues an order authorising it to do so

  2. Supreme Court gives authority to the Parliament in this regard

  3. Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by two-thirds of its members present and voting, declaring it expedient to legislate on a State matter in the national interest

  4. Prime Minister issues a special order
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Under Article 249 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament can legislate on a subject in the State List if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting, declaring it necessary in the national interest.

Multiple choice

Parliament can legislate on matters listed in the state list

  1. with the prior permission of the President

  2. only after the Constitution is amended suitably

  3. in case of inconsistency among state legislations

  4. at the request of two or more states
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Under Article 249 and other provisions, the Parliament can legislate on state list items if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution or if it is requested by two or more states to do so.

Multiple choice

With which of the following is the institution of Ombudsman [or Lokpal] related?

  1. It redresses public grievances

  2. It is a creation of Parliament / State Legislature

  3. It does not come under the Executive's control

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

The Ombudsman (or Lokpal) is an independent institution created by law to investigate public grievances against government officials, operating outside the direct control of the executive.