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.

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Legislature and Parliament Questions

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

A member of the House of Parliament may ask questions from the government on matters of _____________.

  1. Self interest

  2. Vested interest

  3. Public interest

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

A member of the House of Parliament may ask questions from the government on matters of public interest. The ‘Question Hour’ is an important part of the parliamentary proceedings which gives the institution of Parliament the great significance it possesses. Asking of questions is an inherent and unfettered parliamentary right of members. It is during the Question Hour that the members can ask questions on every aspect of administration and Governmental activity. Government policies in national as well as international spheres come into sharp focus as the members try to elicit pertinent information during the Question Hour.

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

A member of the House of Parliament _______ ask questions to the government on matters of public interest.

  1. May

  2. May not

  3. Both A and B

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

A member of House of Parliament may ask questions to the government on a particular day of the session or may just take part in the proceedings of the parliament while other members are presenting their questions.

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

The Monsoon session of the Parliament is called between _________.

  1. January-March

  2. February-May

  3. July-August

  4. November-December
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Monsoon session of the Parliament is called between July-August. The monsoon session is dedicated largely to discussions on matters of public interest. It is during the monsoon session that the members of the Parliament, including the ministers, can bring forward the legislative proposals in the form of a Bill. 

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

Each House of the Parliament shall meet at least _________.

  1. Once in a year

  2. Twice in a year

  3. Thrice in a year

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

Each House of the Parliament shall meet at least twice in a year. The maximum gap between two sessions of Parliament cannot be more than six months. In other words, the Parliament should meet at least twice a year. The President has the power to summon or prorogue either or both Houses of Parliament.

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

The quorum of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha is _________ of the total membership of each house.

  1. One-third

  2. One-fourth

  3. One-sixth

  4. One-tenth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The quorum of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha is One-tenth of the total membership of each house. The quorum to constitute a sitting of the House is one-tenth of the total number of members of the House, for both Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha. If there is no quorum, it shall be the duty of the chairman or speaker to adjourn the house or suspend the meeting.  Constitution has fixed one-tenth strength as a quorum for both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The term of individual members is six years.  Casual vacancies whenever occurring, are filled through bye-elections for the remaining term only. 

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

All questions asked in the House of the Parliament are addressed to the Chair and, if admitted, the Government is ____________.

  1. Obliged to answer them

  2. Not obliged to answer them

  3. Bound to neglect them

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

The first hour of the sitting session of Lok Sabha is the question hour. The government is obliged to answer the questions raised in this hour. The government can furnish answers orally or in writing.

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

The __________ means the minimum number of members required to be present in order to enable the House to transact its business.

  1. Forum

  2. Quorum

  3. Theorem

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

Quorum indicates the members present in the parliament to conduct its proceedings. The constitution mandates that one-tenth of the total members must be present in the house to begin the proceedings of the parliament.

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

During the _________ members of the Parliament raise all types of questions, without any permission or prior notice.

  1. Question hour

  2. Zero hour

  3. Prime Time

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

Zero Hour denotes the time immediately following the Question Hour in both Houses of Parliament. It starts at around 12 noon and members can, with prior notice to the Speaker, raise issues of importance during this time. Mainly discussions on important Bills, the Budget, and other issues of national importance take place from 2 pm onwards.

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

The first hour on every working day of the House is reserved for questions unless otherwise decided by the Speaker. This hour is known as the ___________.

  1. Question hour

  2. Answer hour

  3. Supporting hour

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

The question hour is the time when members of the parliament exercise their right to interpellation or raising requests and questions to the government.

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

Article 75 of the Constitution says that the council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. It means that the ministry stays in office so long as it enjoys the confidence of the ______________.

  1. Majority of the members of the Lok Sabha

  2. Majority of the members of the Rajya Sabha

  3. Majority of the members of the Parliament

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

The ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha which implies that the Lok Sabha can remove the ministry from office by passing a vote of no confidence. The no confidence motion can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. Hence, the ministry stays in office so long as it enjoys the confidence of the majority of the members of the Lok Sabha.

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

What is meant by an Adjournment Motion?

  1. A proposal to lay aside all other business and take up a definite matter of urgent importance

  2. A proposal to lay aside all other business and take up a matter of not much importance

  3. A proposal to lay aside all other business and take up an indefinite matter

  4. A proposal to lay aside all other business and take up a matter of little importance
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An Adjournment Motion is introduced in the Parliament to draw the attention of the House to a definite matter of urgent public importance by interrupting the normal business of the House.

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

Consider the following statements on Financial Bill and say which is/are correct?
1. It is the sameasa Money Bill.
2. It can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha.
3. It can be amended in the Rajya Sabha.
4. It cannot be introduced except on the recommendation of the President.

  1. I only

  2. II and IV

  3. II, III and IV

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

A Finance Bill is a Money Bill as defined in Article 110 of the Constitution. A money bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha with prior permission by the President of India. Money bill cannot be returned by the President to the parliament for its reconsideration, as it is presented in the Lok Sabha with his permission.

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

Which of the following is incorrect?

  1. Prorogation of the House has the effect of wiping out the pending business

  2. Adjournment of the House does not affect the pending business and the same may be taken up in the next sitting

  3. The power of summoning and prorogation of the House is vested in the President, though it is exercised on the aid and advice of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

  4. Dissolution of Lok Sabha means that pending business is wiped out
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Prorogation is a notification issued by the President which terminates the sitting and session of the House. It does not affect the bills or any other business pending before the House and the same can be resumed when the House meets again. Same happens when the house is adjourned. When Lok Sabha is dissolved all of its pending business, motion lapse.

Multiple choice civics why do we need a parliament? parliamentary procedures parliamentary system parliamentary system and procedures

Which of the following is true regarding the 'No Confidence Motion' in the Parliament?
1. There is no mention of it in the Constitution.
2. A period of 6, months must lapse between the introduction of one No Confidence Motion and another.
3. At least 100 persons must support such motion before it is introduced in the House.
4. It can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only

  1. 2 and 4

  2. 1, 2, 3, and 4

  3. 1, 2, and 3

  4. 1 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Constitution states that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. It means that ministers stay in office so long they enjoy the confidence of the majority of the members of Lok Sabha. Lol Sabha cab removes the council of ministers from office by passing a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha. It needs the support of 50 members to be admitted. The time lapse between passing one no confidence motion and other one is 6 months at least.