Parliament & Executive: Practice Questions with Answers

Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, President, and Cabinet. Try each question first: tap an option to check it, and the explanation appears below.

1. Question 1Medium

   With reference to financial bills under the Indian Constitution, consider the following statements: 1. A Financial Bill (I) containing matters specified in Article 110 can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha on the recommendation of the President. 2. A Financial Bill (II) containing general provisions on revenue and expenditure can be introduced in either House of Parliament without presidential recommendation for its introduction. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   A.1 onlyB.2 onlyC.Both 1 and 2D.Neither 1 nor 2
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   ✅ A. 1 only

   Financial Bills (I) under Article 117(1) share similarities with Money Bills and require presidential recommendation and introduction only in the Lok Sabha. Financial Bills (II) under Article 117(3) contain general financial provisions and can be introduced in either house, but require presidential recommendation before consideration, making statement two incorrect. Article 110 strictly defines Money Bills.

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2. Question 2Medium

   What is the purpose of a 'Censure Motion' moved in the Lok Sabha?

   A.To express lack of confidence in the entire ministryB.To censure the government or an individual minister for specific policies or lapsesC.To postpone ongoing business for discussing an urgent matter of public importanceD.To reduce the budget allocation of a specific ministry to a token amount
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   ✅ B. To censure the government or an individual minister for specific policies or lapses

   A Censure Motion can be moved in the Lok Sabha to strongly disapprove of government policies or specific ministerial lapses, and its adoption does not force the cabinet to resign. Conversely, a No-Confidence Motion targets the entire ministry and mandates resignation if passed. Adjournment motions are meant for discussing urgent matters of public importance by interrupting normal House business. Parliamentary procedures are indispensable knowledge for administrative exams.

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3. Question 3Medium

   Which Parliamentary Committee consists of 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha, and scrutinizes how the government estimates can be economized and organized efficiently?

   A.Public Accounts CommitteeB.Estimates CommitteeC.Committee on Public UndertakingsD.Departmental Standing Committee
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   ✅ B. Estimates Committee

   The Estimates Committee consists of thirty members elected exclusively from the Lok Sabha to examine budget estimates and suggest economies in public administration expenditure. Other committees like the Public Accounts Committee include members from both houses of Parliament.

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4. Question 4Medium

   In the context of parliamentary representation, how are the delimitation of constituencies and seat reservation formulas for Sikkim protected against routine judicial challenges?

   A.Through specific protective sub-clauses under Article 371F enacted during the 36th AmendmentB.By placing all state election laws in the Ninth Schedule of the ConstitutionC.Through executive orders issued by the Prime Minister's OfficeD.By exempting the state from the jurisdiction of the Election Commission of India
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   ✅ A. Through specific protective sub-clauses under Article 371F enacted during the 36th Amendment

   Article 371F contains specific clauses empowering Parliament to make provisions for the composition of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly and reservation of seats for different communities, shielding these arrangements from general legal challenges that might otherwise arise under standard equality provisions. This meticulous constitutional engineering was deemed necessary to accommodate the delicate ethnic fabric of the region. The Election Commission conducts elections in adherence to these entrenched parameters.

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5. Question 5Hard

   Which of the following constitutional amendments restricted the size of the Council of Ministers at the Centre and in the States to fifteen percent of the total number of members of the Lok Sabha or the Legislative Assembly?

   A.91st Amendment Act, 2003B.86th Amendment Act, 2002C.52nd Amendment Act, 1985D.44th Amendment Act, 1978
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   ✅ A. 91st Amendment Act, 2003

   The Constitution Ninety-First Amendment Act, 2003 amended Article 75 to provide that the total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total number of members of the House of the People. A similar restriction was added for state cabinets under Article 164. This amendment was enacted to curb the practice of jumbo cabinets and defection driven ministerial berths.

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6. Question 6Medium

   Which Article of the Indian Constitution specifies the qualifications for membership of Parliament?

   A.Article 79B.Article 80C.Article 84D.Article 88
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   ✅ C. Article 84

   Article 84 of the Indian Constitution outlines the essential qualifications required for individuals seeking election to either House of Parliament regarding citizenship, age limits, and oaths. Other articles in the constitution deal with different legislative matters, such as the composition of Parliament or rights of ministers and Attorney-General.

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7. Question 7Hard

   Analyze the procedural instruments used during parliamentary debates: 1. A 'Censure Motion' can be moved against an individual minister or the entire Council of Ministers for lapses, and its passage requires the government to resign. 2. A 'Calling Attention Motion' is introduced to draw the attention of a minister to a matter of urgent public importance without prior permission of the Speaker. 3. 'Question Hour' is the first hour of a parliamentary sitting reserved for asking questions, where starred questions require oral answers and unstarred questions require written answers. Which of the statements given above are correct?

   A.3 onlyB.1 and 2 onlyC.2 and 3 onlyD.1, 2 and 3
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   ✅ A. 3 only

   Statement 3 is correct because Question Hour begins sittings with starred questions receiving oral answers and unstarred questions receiving written replies. Statement 1 is incorrect because while a censure motion can target individual ministers, its passage does not require the government to resign, unlike a no-confidence motion. Statement 2 is incorrect because calling attention motions require prior notice and permission from the Speaker. Parliamentary devices maintain accountability.

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8. Question 8Medium

   What is the constitutional significance of the President's assent to a Bill passed by the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and reserved by the Governor under Article 200?

   A.The President must grant assent within 30 days without exceptions.B.The President can withhold assent permanently even if the state legislature reconsiders and passes the Bill again.C.The President acts on the binding advice of the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.D.The Bill lapses automatically if the Lok Sabha is dissolved before presidential consideration.
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   ✅ B. The President can withhold assent permanently even if the state legislature reconsiders and passes the Bill again.

   Under Article 201, when a Bill is reserved by the Governor for the consideration of the President, the President may assent or withhold assent, and crucially, even if the state legislature passes the bill again upon return, the President is not bound to give assent. The President acts on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers, not the state Chief Minister. Lok Sabha dissolution has no effect on pending state bills reserved for the President. This provision ensures national legislative harmony on crucial subjects.

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9. Question 9Easy

   How many members represent the State of Himachal Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament?

   A.2B.3C.4D.5
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   ✅ B. 3

   Himachal Pradesh is allocated 3 seats in the Rajya Sabha, elected by the elected members of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly through proportional representation. Other numbers do not match the constitutional allocation for the state under the Fourth Schedule. Rajya Sabha members serve a tenure of six years with one-third retiring biennially. The upper house represents the states of the Indian federation in Parliament.

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10. Question 10Hard

    What is the exact majority required in each House of Parliament to pass a resolution for the removal of the President of India through impeachment under Article 61?

    A.A simple majority of members present and votingB.An absolute majority of the total membership of the HouseC.A two-thirds majority of members present and votingD.A two-thirds majority of the total membership of the House
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    ✅ D. A two-thirds majority of the total membership of the House

    Article 61 specifies that an impeachment resolution against the President must be passed by each House of Parliament by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of that house. This is a very stringent requirement compared to a normal special majority which requires two-thirds of members present and voting. Nominated members of both houses can participate in the impeachment of the President, whereas they do not participate in their election.

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11. Question 11Easy

    What term is used for the termination of a session of Parliament by an order made by the President under Article 85?

    A.AdjournmentB.ProrogationC.DissolutionD.Censure
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    ✅ B. Prorogation

    Prorogation refers to the formal termination of a parliamentary session by Presidential order under Article 85, bringing all pending notices to a close except for bills. Adjournment merely suspends work during a sitting without ending the session, whereas dissolution ends the life of the Lok Sabha entirely. Prorogation can be exercised by the President even while the House is in session.

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12. Question 12Medium

    Examine the constitutional provisions related to the Rajya Sabha: 1. It is a permanent body not subject to dissolution. 2. One-third of its members retire every second year. 3. The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    A.1 and 2 onlyB.2 and 3 onlyC.1 and 3 onlyD.1, 2 and 3
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    ✅ D. 1, 2 and 3

    Article 83 states that the Rajya Sabha is a permanent chamber not subject to dissolution, with one-third of its members retiring upon the expiration of every second year ensuring continuity. Article 64 designates the Vice-President of India as the ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States. Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a tenure of six years by the elected members of state legislative assemblies. The maximum strength of the upper house is fixed at 250 members.

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13. Question 13Hard

    Examine the legal parameters governing the disqualification of members of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution:

    A.A member incurs disqualification if they voluntarily give up membership of their political party or vote contrary to party whips without prior permission, with the final decision resting with the Speaker whose ruling is subject to judicial review.B.Disqualification petitions are adjudicated exclusively by the Election Commission of India without involvement from the Speaker.C.A member can defect without facing disqualification if one-third of the legislative party merges with another political group.D.The Governor exercises final adjudicatory powers in all anti-defection disputes arising within the state assembly.
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    ✅ A. A member incurs disqualification if they voluntarily give up membership of their political party or vote contrary to party whips without prior permission, with the final decision resting with the Speaker whose ruling is subject to judicial review.

    The Tenth Schedule vests the power to decide anti-defection disqualification cases in the Speaker or Chairman of the house, and the Supreme Court ruled in the Kihoto Hollohan case that such decisions are subject to judicial review. The original exception permitting splits by one-third of members was deleted by the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, which now requires a merger of two-thirds of party members. Anti-defection laws maintain stability in legislative bodies across Indian states.

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14. Question 14Easy

    Which type of cut motion seeks to reduce the demand for grant to a nominal amount of Re. 1, usually expressing strong disapproval of government policy?

    A.Policy Cut MotionB.Economy Cut MotionC.Token Cut MotionD.Guillotine Motion
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    ✅ A. Policy Cut Motion

    A Policy Cut Motion reduces the demand for a grant to one rupee, specifically signaling total disapproval of the underlying government policy associated with that expenditure. In contrast, an economy cut motion proposes a specific numerical reduction to curtail wasteful spending, while a token cut reduces the grant by one hundred rupees to voice a specific grievance. Guillotine motions are entirely different tools used to fast-track pending budget demands without discussion.

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15. Question 15Medium

    What is the duration of the 'Zero Hour' in the Indian Parliament according to traditional parliamentary practice?

    A.Exactly 30 minutesB.One hour immediately following the Question HourC.It is an indefinite period with no fixed durationD.Precisely at 12:00 noon lasting until the lunch recess
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    ✅ D. Precisely at 12:00 noon lasting until the lunch recess

    Zero Hour is an informal device unique to the Indian Parliament, starting immediately after the Question Hour at 12:00 noon and lasting until the House takes up the scheduled agenda or breaks for lunch. It is not mentioned in the rule book of procedure and is used by members to raise urgent matters without prior notice. Parliamentary questions are strictly regulated by specific time slots.

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16. Question 16Easy

    What is the total number of members in the Public Accounts Committee of the Indian Parliament?

    A.15 membersB.22 membersC.30 membersD.45 members
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    ✅ B. 22 members

    The Public Accounts Committee comprises 22 members, with 15 members drawn from the Lok Sabha and 7 members elected from the Rajya Sabha for a one-year term. Ministers are ineligible for appointment to this financial committee, which examines the appropriation accounts and audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Parliamentary committee compositions are high-yield areas for polity revisions.

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17. Question 17Hard

    Analyze the constitutional provisions regarding the disqualification of members of Parliament under Article 102 and the Tenth Schedule: 1. If a member of either House of Parliament votes or abstains from voting contrary to any direction issued by their political party without prior permission, they face disqualification under the anti-defection law. 2. The question of disqualification under the Tenth Schedule is decided by the Election Commission of India. 3. An independent member of Parliament gets disqualified if they join any political party after taking their oath in the House. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    A.1 and 3 onlyB.1 and 2 onlyC.2 and 3 onlyD.1, 2 and 3
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    ✅ A. 1 and 3 only

    Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Floor crossing by party members without whip exemption or joining a party after winning as an independent attracts disqualification under the Tenth Schedule. Statement 2 is incorrect because the decision on disqualification under the anti-defection law rests with the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha or the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, not the Election Commission, subject to judicial review as established in the Kihoto Hollohan case.

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18. Question 18Medium

    Which officer of the Parliament of India acts as the chief administrative head of the Lok Sabha Secretariat and functions under the direct supervision of the Speaker?

    A.Deputy Speaker of Lok SabhaB.Secretary-General of Lok SabhaC.Minister of Parliamentary AffairsD.Leader of the House in Lok Sabha
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    ✅ B. Secretary-General of Lok Sabha

    The Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha serves as the permanent administrative head of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, operating directly under the guidance and control of the Speaker. This non-partisan official provides expert procedural advice to the presiding officer and oversees the legislative business of the House. Other offices like the Deputy Speaker or the Leader of the House are political positions held by elected members. The appointment of the Secretary-General is made by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

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19. Question 19Hard

    Analyze the budgetary procedure in Parliament: What is the primary operational distinction between a 'Vote on Account' and an 'Interim Budget' presented during an election year?

    A.A Vote on Account authorizes government expenditure for a short period, whereas an Interim Budget covers both estimates of receipts and expenditures for the entire transition period.B.A Vote on Account requires approval from the Rajya Sabha, whereas an Interim Budget is passed solely by the Lok Sabha.C.An Interim Budget permits new taxation measures, whereas a Vote on Account freezes all tax slabs indefinitely.D.A Vote on Account is applicable only to state legislatures, whereas an Interim Budget is exclusive to the Union Parliament.
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    ✅ A. A Vote on Account authorizes government expenditure for a short period, whereas an Interim Budget covers both estimates of receipts and expenditures for the entire transition period.

    A Vote on Account deals only with the expenditure side of the government budget to keep administration running until the regular budget is passed, whereas an Interim Budget contains complete financial statements including both estimated receipts and expenditures for the transition period of an election year. Both instruments are governed by parliamentary rules under Article 116. Neither permits structural changes in taxation.

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20. Question 20Hard

    Consider the parliamentary allocation of seats and the historical evolution of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly: Which constitutional mechanism was utilized to protect the office of the Chogyal or transitional administrative arrangements during the initial integration phase?

    A.Transitional overriding clauses in Article 371F empowering the President to make adaptationsB.Creation of a dual parliamentary system with a hereditary upper houseC.Issuance of royal decrees validated by the Supreme CourtD.Establishment of a separate constituent assembly independent of New Delhi
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    ✅ A. Transitional overriding clauses in Article 371F empowering the President to make adaptations

    During the integration of Sikkim, transitional powers were embedded in Article 371F allowing the President to adapt existing laws and administrative structures, thereby accommodating the political transition away from the Chogyal's rule. This mechanism ensured legal stability while dismantling the feudal apparatus. Parliament enacted consequential amendments to integrate the state seamlessly into Indian democratic federalism.

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