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

What is the minimum strength of a State Legislative Assembly?

  1. 40

  2. 60

  3. 50

  4. 70
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Article 170 of the Indian Constitution specifies that a State Legislative Assembly should consist of not more than 500 and not less than 60 members. While some smaller states have exceptions, 60 is the standard constitutional minimum. This ensures a minimum level of representation for state governance.

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.

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

Which of the following statements in regard to the UN Security Council is not correct?

  1. Of its total membership, five members are permanent members.

  2. The Presidency of the Council is alternated on a monthly basis confined to the permanent members

  3. In voting on substantive measures, all permanent members must vote 'yes' if the measure is to pass

  4. The ten non-permanent members do not have the veto power.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Presidency of the UN Security Council rotates monthly among all 15 members, not just the five permanent members. The other statements correctly describe the structure and voting procedures of the Council.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements in regard to the functioning of the UN General Assembly is not correct?

  1. The Secretary-General is elected by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Secretary-Council.

  2. A two-thirds majority is needed to pass resolutions on all important questions.

  3. The use of veto power in the General Assembly is confined to the countries who are permanent members

  4. The General Assembly votes on admission of new members approved by the Security Council & can also expel or suspend member-countries.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

There is no veto power in the UN General Assembly. All member states have one vote, and resolutions are passed by simple or two-thirds majorities depending on the importance of the issue.

Multiple choice

The General Assembly meets regularly

  1. once a month

  2. after every three months

  3. twice a year

  4. once a year
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The UN General Assembly holds its regular session once a year, beginning in September.

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.