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

What happens if there is a difference of opinion between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over an ordinary bill?

  1. The President decides the matter

  2. The will of Rajya Sabha prevails

  3. There is a joint sitting of the two Houses

  4. The bill is cancelled
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The ordinary bills have to be passed from both the houses before they can be presented before the President. In case of a difference of opinion between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over an ordinary bill, a joint meeting of both the houses is called for a discussion and the Prime Minister plays a very important role in this session.

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

The resolution to abolish or create legislative council should be _____________________.

  1. Approved by two-third of majority of assembly members voting

  2. Approved by two-third majority of total strength of assembly

  3. Approved by a simple majority of assembly members voting

  4. Approved by a simple majority and forwarded by the Governor
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Parliament by law provides for the abolition of the legislative council of a state having such a council for the creation of such a council in a state having no such council, if the state legislative Assembly of the state passes a resolution to that effect by a majority of the total membership of the Assembly and by majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the Assembly present and voting.

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

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

A Money Bill can be introduced in Lok Sabha only. If any question arises whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not, the decision of Speaker thereon is final. The Speaker is under no obligation to consult any one in coming to a decision or in giving his certificate that a Bill is a Money Bill. The certificate of the Speaker to the effect that a Bill is a Money Bill, is to be endorsed and signed by him when it is transmitted to Rajya Sabha and also when it is presented to the President for his assent.

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

Sharing of power between the Union Government and State Government is basic to the structure of the Constitution. Any change to it has to be first passed by both the Houses of Parliament with at least ____________.

  1. One-third majority

  2. Two-third majority

  3. Simple majority

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

Indian constitution can be amended in three ways :

(1) Amendment by a simple majority of the parliament
(2)Amendment by a special majority of the parliament
(3)Amendment by a special majority of the parliament and ratification of half of the state legislatures.
Sharing of power between union and state government comes into the second category so for that a bill has to be passed by more than fifty per cent majority of total membership of each house and a majority of 2/3 of the members of each house present and voting.

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

The term of the Lok Sabha can be extended under which condition?

  1. During National Emergency

  2. During President rule in any of the states

  3. During any terrorist attack

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

While a National Emergency is in action, the Parliament may by law extend the normal term of the Lok Sabha for a period of a single year at a time, and it can renew it any number of times as thinks fit. But it cannot extend to beyond a period of 6 months after the Emergency has ceased to operate. Hence, Option A is correct. The rest of the conditions cannot extend the term of Lok Sabha, hence, incorrect. 

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

Which one of the following is not sufficient to amend the Constitution?

  1. 2/3 members of Rajya Sabha should agree

  2. 2/3 members of Lok Sabha should agree

  3. Half of the State Legislatures should agree

  4. A simple majority in the joint session.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Bills to amend the Indian Constitution need to separately pass in both the houses by more than 50% of the strength of the house as well as a two-thirds majority of the members present in the house. In case of a deadlock between the two houses, a joint session cannot be called to amend the Constitution.

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

In case of a proclamation of a National Emergency and if the Lok Sabha is dissolved, it is the Rajya Sabha which shoulders all the responsibilities of the Union Legislature.

  1. True

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

While the National Emergency is in action, Parliament may by law extend the normal term of Lok Sabha for a period of 1 year at a time and can renew it any number of times as thinks fir but can't extend it beyond a period of 6months after the emergency has ceased to operate. In case if the Lok Sabha is dissolved, it is the Rajya Sabha which shoulders all the responsibilities of the Union Legislature. Union Legislature that is the Parliament consist of two Houses i.e., Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Thus both the houses are empowered to legislate the law. Therefore at the time of the dissolution of Lok Sabha it the Rajya Sabha which has the responsibility of legislation.

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

Both the Houses of the Parliament have equal powers in matters of impeachment of the _________.

  1. President of India

  2. Chief Justice of India

  3. Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court

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

The Houses of Parliament can remove the President of India, Chief Justice of India and Judge of the Supreme Court or High Courts by impeachment.

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

Every elected member of the Parliament stands on equal footing in the election of the President or the Vice-President of India.

  1. True

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

The President and the Vice-President are not elected directly by the people, but by the members of the electoral college. The manner of election is the same in both cases. It is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting is by secret ballot. Thus, it is true that every elected member of the Parliament stands on equal footing in the election of the President or the Vice-President.

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

In case of Ordinary Bill, the Rajya Sabha is in a stronger position, though the total membership of the Rajya Sabha is less than the Lok Sabha.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B 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. But Lok Sabha has a stronger position in the joint sitting for passage of the ordinary bill because its total membership is larger than the Rajya Sabha.

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

Consider the following statements:
1. A Bill pending in the Legislature of 3 State shall not lapse by reason of the prorogation of the House or Houses thereof.
2. A Bill pending in the Legislative Council of a State which has not been passed by the Legislative Assembly shall not lapse on dissolution of the Assembly.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A Bill pending in the Legislature of a State shall not lapse by reason of the prorogation of the House or Houses . Bill pending in the Legislative Council of a State which has not been passed by the Legislative Assembly shall not lapse on a dissolution of the Assembly.                                          

Both the statement are correct as at the time of prorogation the bill or any other business pending in the House do not get affected and can be resumed when the House meets again. Further, Legislative Council is a permanent body and it do not dissolved, so dissolution of Legislative Assembly do not make the bill lapse.

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 the Rajya Sabha rejects a Money Bill, then which of the following is correct?

  1. Lok Sabha may or may not accept its recommendation

  2. Lok Sabha may not consider it at all

  3. President calls a joint session for passing of the Bill

  4. Bill is sent for further consideration
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Rajya Sabha has limited powers regarding the Money Bill. It cannot reject or amend the money bill after it is passed by the Lok Sabha and transmitted to the Rajya Sabha. It has to return the bill within 14 days with or without recommendations. It is on the discretion of Lok Sabha to accept or reject any or all of the recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha.

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
  1. No Money Bill can be introduced in the Parliament without the recommendation of the President of India.
    2. The Prime Minister appoints Finance Commission for distribution of taxes between the Union and the States.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
The Constitution lays down a special procedure for the passing of money bills in the parliament. A money bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha only on the recommendation of the president. 
Finance commission is a constitutional body. It is constituted by the President. It gives recommendation on distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States and amongst the States themselves.