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 political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

What is the maximum premissible strength of elected members of Upper House according to the Constitution?

  1. 234

  2. 238

  3. 242

  4. 250
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The constitution of India states the maximum permissible strength of elected representatives to the upper house (Rajya Shaba) shall be $250$. Where $238$ shall be elected representatives from the lower house and $12$ representatives shall be chosen by the president.

Multiple choice political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

Why is Rajya Sabha called the House of States?

  1. Electoral college constitutes only the representatives of state assemblies

  2. Rajya Sabha consists of members of legislative assemblies as its members

  3. Rajya Sabha elections are held along with the elections to state assemblies

  4. Rajya Sabha is meant to protect the interests of States in the federal set up.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Rajya Sabha is called House of States or Council of states. Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the state legislative assemblies. Its members represent the state at the centre. Rajya Sabha protects the right or the interest of the states against the union.

Multiple choice political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

___________ is the permanent house of the Indian Parliament.

  1. Rajya Sabha

  2. Lok Sabha

  3. Vidhan Sabha

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

Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Parliament. The Constitution fixes the maximum membership to 250. The members are elected by indirect election for a period of six years. One-third of members retire every two years which makes it the permanent house of the Parliament.

Multiple choice political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

The upper house is known as ______ .

  1. Rajya Sabha

  2. Lok Sabha

  3. Cabinet

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

Indian Parliament is Bicameral parliament. It contains two houses of the parliament named as Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

 Lok Sabha is the lower house/first chamber of the parliament. Rajya Sabha is the upper house/ second chamber of the Parliament.
Members of Lok Sabha are elected directly by the people of territorial constituencies of states. Members of Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly. It means they are elected by the members of state legislative assemblies.

Multiple choice political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

The representation to States in the Rajya Sabha is given on the basis of _____________________.

  1. an equal number of seats to each State

  2. in proportion to their population

  3. in proportion to their size

  4. in accordance with their resources
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Fourth Schedule to the Constitution provides for allocation of seats to the States and Union Territories in Rajya Sabha.  The allocation of seats is made on the basis of the population of each State.  Consequent on the reorganization of States and formation of new States, the number of elected seats in the Rajya Sabha allotted to States and Union Territories has changed from time to time since 1952.

Multiple choice political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

A dissolution does not affect ____________________________.

  1. a bill that originated in the Rajya Sabha and sent to Lok Sabha

  2. a bill that originated in the Lok Sabha but has been sent to Rajya Sabha

  3. a bill that originated in the Rajya Sabha but has not yet been sent to the Lok Sabha

  4. Any of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The following matters are not affected in case of dissolution of the Lok Sabha:

  • A bill originating and pending in the Rajya Sabha.
  • A joint sitting of Parliament if notification of such a sitting has been given before the dissolution.
  • Bills passed by both Houses and sent to the President for his assent.
  • Bills returned by President for reconsideration.

Multiple choice political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

Which of the following is true regarding the Vice-Chairman of the Rajya Sabha? 

  1. One has to be a member of the Rajya Sabha for election to the post of the Vice-Chairman

  2. One need not necessarily be a member of the Rajya Sabha for election to the post of the Vice-Chairman

  3. One has to be a member of either House of Parliament for election to the post of the Vice-Chairman

  4. There is an established convention that the Vice-Chairman of the Rajya Sabha belongs to the main opposition party in the Rajya Sabha
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Deputy chairman or Vice-chairman of the Rajya Sabha is elected by the Rajya Sabha itself from amongst its members. It means that one has to be the member of Rajya Sabha for election to the post of the Vice Chairman.

Multiple choice political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

Members of Lok Sabha are elected by the way of _______________.

  1. People's representation

  2. By the State Legislature

  3. Nominations

  4. By electoral college
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The members of the Lower House of the Parliament(Lok Sabha) are directly elected by the people from the territorial constituencies in the State. From one constituency only one representative is elected. The election is based on the principle of Universal Adult Franchise. Every Indian citizen who is above 18 years of age is eligible to vote at such elections. Accordingly the representatives of the Union territories are chosen by direct election. The President is empowered to nominate two members from Anglo Indian Community.

Multiple choice political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

Which one is the correct statement ___________________________.

  1. The Chairman of Rajya Sabha is Vice- President

  2. The position and powers and in all other matters, the position of Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is the same as that of the Speaker

  3. Both above statements are true

  4. Both above statements are false
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha is known as the Chairman. The vice-president of India is the ex-officio(by the status) chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Chairman of Rajya Sabha enjoys the same position and power in all matters as that of Speaker in Lok Sabha.

Multiple choice political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

Give correct response to ______________________.

  1. A money bill can be rejected by the Rajya Sabha

  2. The President can withhold his assent to a money bill

  3. A money bill can be passed in a joint sitting of both Houses

  4. A money bill cannot be rejected by the Rajya Sabha nor can the President withhold his assent
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A money bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and that too on the recommendation of the President. The Rajya Sabha has limited powers with regard to money bill. It cannot reject or amend a money bill but can provide recommendations. The President can give his assent or withhold his assent on money bill but he cannot return the bill for reconsideration Generally the president gives his assent to the bill as it was introduced with his prior permission.

Multiple choice political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

Which one is presided over by a non- Member _______________.

  1. Rajya Sabha

  2. Lok Sabha

  3. State Assembly

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

The Rajya Sabha is presided over by the Vice President of India who is an ex officio chairman (chairman of rehta sabha by being in the post of vice president) of the Rajya Sabha. He is not a member of Rajya Sabha.

Multiple choice political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

Rajya Sabha can take initiative in _______________.

  1. Censuring a Central Minister

  2. Creating a new All India Service

  3. Considering Money Bills

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

Due to it's federal character, Rajya Sabha has been given two exclusive powers that are not enjoyed by the Lok Sabha. One of which is, it can authorise the Parliament to create new All-India Services common to both Centre and State. The Rajya Sabha also has the power that it can authorise the Parliament to make laws on a subject enumerated in the State List.

Multiple choice political science the indian parliament rajya sabha the rajya sabha indian administration act of 1935

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 in correcting hasty legislation/decisions

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

The importance of a second chamber can be enumerated as below:

1. It acts as a check on the majoritarian tendencies of the other house.
2. It is an effective means of co-opting eminent members of the society who would never win an election on their own.
3. It represents the interests of the units in the federation.
4. It also helps in correcting hasty decisions.

Multiple choice political science constitutional amendment constitutional amendment powers of lok sabha powers of lok sabha powers and functions of rajya sabha and lok sabha

If there is disagreement between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, the Ordinary Bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In case of Ordinary Bill, the powers of Lok Sabha are equal. If there is disagreement between both the houses on the passage of the bill, the President may call for a joint sitting which is presided over by the Speaker of Lok Sabha. Article 108 of Constitution deals with the provision of the joint sitting.