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

By which of the following procedures can the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha be removed from office?

  1. If he has resigned from the membership of the Vidhan Sabha, he himself will resign from the portfolio.

  2. They can resign. The Speaker will handover his resignation to the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Speaker will handover his resignation to the Speaker.

  3. They can be removed from their office by bringing a no confidence motion (informing 14 days before) by the 2/3 majority of members of the Vidhan Sabha.

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

The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha can resign, or be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Assembly, provided 14 days notice is given.

Multiple choice

If it is desired in India to switch over to unitary system of government from the present federal structure, such a change can be brought about by

  1. a simple majority of the members of the Parliament

  2. a two-third majority of members present and voting, provided it is not less than majority of the total members

  3. a two third majority of the total membership of the Parliament

  4. a special procedure in Parliament and ratification by a majority of States in the Indian Union
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Changing the federal structure of the Indian Constitution affects the powers of the states. According to Article 368, such amendments require a special majority in Parliament and ratification by at least half of the state legislatures.

Multiple choice

The Government of the Union of India is parliamentary in character. One of the characteristics of a parliamentary system of Government is

  1. The Ministry is collectively responsible to both Houses of Parliament

  2. The Ministry is not responsible to the parliament

  3. The Ministry is responsible to the Head of the State

  4. The Ministry is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In a parliamentary system, the executive (the Ministry) is collectively responsible to the lower house of the legislature, which in India is the Lok Sabha.

Multiple choice

The members of the Rajya Sabha are

  1. directly elected

  2. indirectly elected

  3. nominated

  4. indirectly elected and nominated also
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Members of the Rajya Sabha are indirectly elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies through proportional representation. Additionally, the President nominates 12 members to the house for their contributions to arts, literature, science, or social service.

Multiple choice

When there is a difference of opinion between the two Houses of the Indian Parliament on a Bill

  1. the opinion of the Lok Sabha prevails

  2. the President may call a joint sitting of the two-houses

  3. the Bill is again passed in the Lok Sabha and presented to the President for his consent

  4. the President can decide himself and give the consent
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Article 108 of the Indian Constitution provides for a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament to resolve deadlocks over non-money bills when one house rejects a bill, disagrees on amendments, or fails to pass it for six months.

Multiple choice

After once refused if a non-money bill again duly passed by both the Houses of the Parliamant is presented to the President for his consent

  1. he can again withhold his consent

  2. he cannot withhold his consent

  3. he can dissolve the Lok Sabha

  4. he sends the matter to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to decide
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

If a non-money bill is passed again by both Houses after the President has returned it for reconsideration, the President is constitutionally bound to give his assent under Article 111.

Multiple choice

A person is disqualified to contest the election of the State Legislature

  1. if he holds an office of profit under the Union or the State Government

  2. if he is not a citizen of India

  3. if he is of unsound mind and is so declared by a Court of Law

  4. in all the above cases
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Disqualification criteria for state legislators include holding an office of profit, lack of citizenship, and being of unsound mind as declared by a court, among other statutory grounds.

Multiple choice

Which one among the following is the correct position regarding the Legislative powers of the President?

  1. Once the cabinet has decided a thing, the President must sign it.

  2. The President can refuse to sign it.

  3. He can send it back for re-consideration once.

  4. He can send it back to the cabinet again till the cabinet is tired.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Under Article 111 of the Indian Constitution, the President can return a non-money bill to Parliament for reconsideration once. If it is passed again, the President must give assent.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not the legislative power of the President?

  1. No bill passed by the two Houses of the Parliament can become law without his assent.

  2. No money bill can be introduced in the Parliament without his previous consent.

  3. No law of a municipal board can be enforced without his assent.

  4. He can dissolve the Parliament.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Enforcing law of a municipal board is not the legislative power of the President, but the houses of parliament.

Multiple choice

According to the Indian Constitution, the money bills can be introduced in

  1. the Lok Sabha only

  2. the Rajya Sabha only

  3. the joint sessions of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha only

  4. the Council of the Ministers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Money Bills can be introduced only in Lok Sabha (the directly elected 'people's house' of the Indian Parliament). Money Bills passed by the Lok Sabha are sent to the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of parliament, elected by the state and territorial legislatures or appointed by the president).