chapter no- 7 parliamentary system and central government ... · b) dr. zakirhussain v. v. giri c)...

HIMALAI - THE BEST QUALITY SUBJECT WISE AND CHAPTER WISE STUDY MATERIALS,

MCQ’s WITH EXPLANATIONS FOR IAS PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION

HIMALAI MAKING INDIAN ADMINISTRATORS SINCE 1998 1

Chapter No- 7

Parliamentary System And Central Government

MCQ’s with Explanations

1. Which one of the following cannot be dissolved but can be abolished?

a) LokSabha b) RajyaSabha

c) State Legislative Council d) State Legislative Assembly

Ans C

[The existence of a Legislative Council has proven politically controversial. A number of

states that have had their Council abolished have subsequently requested its re-establishment;

conversely, proposals for the re-establishment of the Council for a state have also met with

opposition. Proposals for abolition or re-establishment of a state’s Legislative Council require

confirmation by the Parliament of India.]

2. Which of the following is not a condition for Parliament to legislate on the subjects

mentioned in the State List?

a) If LokSabha decides that a subject mentioned in state list is of national importance’s

b) If two or more states assemblies pass a resolution to such an effect

c) If a state of Emergency is declared

d) If a treaty with a foreign country has to be put into effect

Ans A

[The State List or List – II is list of 61 items (Initially there were 66 items in the list) in

Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The legislative section is divided into three

lists: Union List, State List and Concurrent List. Unlike the federal governments of the United

States, Switzerland or Australia, residual powers remain with the Union Government, as with

the Canadian federal government.

If any provisions of a law made by the Legislature of a State is repugnant to any provision of

a law made by Parliament which Parliament is competent to enact, or to any provision of an

existing law with respect to one of the matters enumerated in the Concurrent List, then, the

law made by Parliament, whether passed before or after the law made by the Legislature of

the State shall, to the extent of the repugnancy, be void. There is an exception to this in cases

“where a law made by the Legislature of a State with respect to one of the matters enumerated

in the Concurrent List contains any provision repugnant to the provisions of an earlier law

made by Parliament or an existing law with respect to that matter, then, the law so made by

the Legislature of such State shall, if it has been reserved for the consideration of the

president and has received his assent, prevail in that State. Provided that nothing in this clause

shall prevent Parliament from enacting at any time any law with respect to the same matter

including a law adding to, amending, varying or repealing the law so made by the Legislature

of the State.”]

3. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as

Reason (R). Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:

Assertion (A): Ordinances provide minority governments with a useful device, but one that is

now increasingly difficult to convert into legislation once parliament has covered.

Reason (R): Recent coalition governments have used ordinances to avoid debating legislation

with their partners as much as with the opposition.

Codes:




a) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

b) Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans B

[The President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers, so it is the government that

takes the decision to issue an ordinance. After the Cabinet decides to issue an ordinance, it is

sent to the President. The President may return the ordinance once if he feels that it requires

reconsideration but has to promulgate it if it is sent back to him after reconsideration.

The ordinance is valid for six weeks from the date when the next session starts. If the two

Houses start their sessions on different dates, the later of the dates will be considered. The

ordinance may lapse earlier if the President with draws it or if both Houses pass resolutions

disapproving it. The coal mines ordinance is being re-promulgated. The Constitution does not

explicitly bar a re-issuance. The Supreme Court examined a case in which Bihar re-

promulgated ordinances a number of times without placing them before the Legislature. The

Supreme Court said legislation should normally be made by the legislature, and the power

given to the Governor to issue an ordinance is in the nature of an emergency power. It cannot

be said an ordinance cannot be re-promulgated under any circumstance. However, repeated

re-promulgations without bringing it to the legislature would usurp the legislature’s function,

and would be unconstitutional.

4. Who was the protem speaker of the 16th LokSabha?

a) Sumitra Mahajan b) Meira Kumar c) Kamal Nath d) L. K.

Advani

Ans C

[Kamal Nath has been elected to the LokSabha for the ninth term from Chindwara and is

among the senior-most lawmakers in terms of legislative experience. He was first elected to

the LokSabha in 1980, the year in which the Congress was swept back to power after ousting

the Janata Party government.]

5. What is the bill called that contains all the demands voted by the LokSabha and the

consolidated fund charges?

a) The Appropriation Bill b) Voting of Demands Bill

c) Fiscal Policy Bill d) The Finance Bill

Ans A

[After the General Discussion on the Budget proposals and Voting on Demands for Grants

have been completed, Government introduces the Appropriation Bill is intended to give

authority to Government to incur expenditure from and out of the Consolidated Fund of

India.]

6. Which of the following statements about the Vice-President of India and Vice-Present of

America are true?

1. Both the Vice-Presidents are elected.

2. Both of them are the presiding officers of their respective upper Houses.

3. Both the Vice-Presidents are not the members of their respective Houses.

4. Both of them do not have a casting vote in case of a tie.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Codes:




a) 1, 3 and 4 b) 1, 2 and 3 c) 1, 2 and 4 d) 1, 2, 3

and 4

Ans B

7. Consider the following:

1. Pocket Veto 2. President message to federal legislature

3. Caucus system 4. Pigeon hole-a bill

These are the parts of constitutional practice of

a) Indian Political System b) American Political System

c) The Swiss Political System d) The British Political System

Ans B

[-Pocket veto: In United States a pocket veto occurs when a bill fails to become law because

the President does law because the President does not sign the bill and cannot return the bill to

Congress within a 10-day period because Congress is not in session.

President message to federal legislature: When legislation is signed into law or vetoed

by the President, an explanatory message or speech may be presented.

Caucus System: A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific

political party or movement.

Pigeon hole-a bill: An expression once routinely used when committees side -lined

bills by refusing to report them to the full House or Senate for final consideration.]

8. Match List – I with List – II and select the correct answer from the codes given below:

List – I List – II

(Committees of Parliament) (Number of Members)

a. Public Accounts Committee i. 45

b. Estimates Committee ii. 22

c. Department related

Parliamentary Standing Committee iii. 15

d. Rules Committee of LokSabha iv. 30

Codes: a b c d

a) iii ii iv i

b) ii iv I iii

c) I iii ii iv

d) iv I iii ii

Ans B

9. Which one of the following Pairs are not correctly matched?

List-I (President) List-II (Vice-President)

a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad Dr. S. Radha Krishnan

b) Dr. ZakirHussain V. V. Giri

c) SAnjeeva Reddy B. D. Jatti

d) Dr. S. Radha Krishnan Dr. ZakirHussain

Ans C

10. The Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the following countries cannot seek re-election for a

third term.

1. The US President 2. The French President 3. Indian President 4. Indian Vice-

President


a) 1 b) 1 and 2 c) 1 and 4 d) 1, 2 and 3




Ans B

[The president of US is indirectly elected by the people through the Electoral College to a

four-year term, and is one of only two nationally elected federal officers, the other being the

Vice President of the United States. The Twenty – second Amendment, adopted in 1951,

prohibits anyone from ever being elected to the presidency for a third full term. It also

prohibits a person from being elected to the presidency more than once if that person

previously had served as president, or acting president, for more than two years of another

person’s term as president.]

11. Which one is not the feature of the presidential form of government of U. S. A.?

a) Direct election of the President

b) Fixed terms of offices for the president and legislature

c) Fusion of power between legislature and executive

d) President serves as head of the state

Ans C

[A presidential system is a system of government where a head of government is also head of

state and leads an executive branch that is separate from the legislative branch. The United

States has a presidential system. The executive is elected and often titled president and is not

responsible to the legislature and cannot, in normal circumstances, dismiss it. The legislature

may have the Right, in extreme cases to dismiss the executive, often through impeachment.

However, such dismissals are seen as so rare as not to contradict a central tenet of

presidentialism, that in normal circumstances using normal means the legislature cannot

dismiss the executive.]

12. Match List – I with List – II and select the correct answer form the codes given below:


(Deputy Prime Ministers) (Government)

a. Morarji Desai i. Janata Party

b. Jagjivan Ram ii. Congress

c. Devilal iii. National Democratic Alliance

d. L. K. Advani iv. United Front

Codes: a b c d

a) i iii ii iv

b) ii iv iii i

c) ii i iv iii

d) iii ii i ii

Ans C

[Moraji Desai (29 February, 1896-10 April, 1995) was the fifth Prime Minister of India from

1977 to 1979. After a landslide victory for the opposition Janata alliance in the National

elections held in March 1977Morarji Desai was selected by the Janata Alliance, later Janata

Party as their parliamentary leader, and thus became the first non-Congress Prime Minister of

India.

Jagjivan Ram (5 April, 1908 – 6 July, 1986) left Congress in 1977 and joined the

Janata Party alliance, along with his Congress for Democracy. He later served as the

Deputy Prime Minister of India (1977-79), then in 1980, he formed Congress (J).

Devi Lal (25 September, 1914 – 6 April, 2001) served as sixth Deputy Prime Minister

of India from 1989-91 in the governments of V. P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar.

Lal Krishna Advani (born 8 November, 1927) a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata

Party (BJP). Advani Served as Deputy Prime Minister of India from 2002 to 2004

under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.]




13. In which case the Supreme Court decided that the confidence of the house in the ministry

should be tested on the floor of the house itself?

a) B. R. Kapoor v/s State of Tamil Nadu b) S. R. Bommal v/s Union of India

c) Jagadmibika Pal v/s Union of India d) Shasher Singh v/s State of Punjab

Ans B

[S. R. Bommal v. Union of India was a landmark judgment of the Supreme? Court of India,

Where the Court discussed at length provisions of article 356 of the Constitution of India and

related issues. This case had huge impact on Centre-State Relations. The misuse of Article

356, popularly known as “President’s rule”, to impose central authority on states, was stopped

after this judgment.]

14. Which one among the following statements is false?

a) The first hour of every parliament day is reserved for questions.

b) Zero hour is a typical Indian innovation in the field of Parliamentary practice.

c) New public administration is an uniquely American phenomenon.

d) Judicial control over administrative acts stems from natural law.

Ans C

[New public Administration traces it origins to the first Minnow brook Conference held in

1968 under the patronage of Dwight Waldo. This conference brought together the top

scholars in public administration and management to discuss and reflect on the State of the

field and its future. [1] The 1960s in the USA was a time of unusual social and political

turbulence and upheaval. In this context, Waldo concluded that neither the study nor the

practice of public administration was responding suitably to the escalating turmoil and the

complications that arose from those conditions.]

15. Which one of the following is not a sufficient ground for convening a joint sitting of both

Houses of Parliament?

a) Rejection of a bill by one House of the Parliament when the other House has passed it. b)

Both Houses have finally disagreed as to the amendments to be made in a bill.

c) More than six months has elapsed from the date of the reception of the Bill by the other

House without the Bill being passed by it.

d) President has refused to give his assent to the Bill

Ans D

[Article 108 deals with the joint sitting of the both Houses in certain cases.]

16. Which of the former presidents was associated with the Trade-Union Movement in India?

a) K. F. Narayanan b) Dr. Zakir Hussain

c) V. V. Giri d) Rana Swami Venkat Raman

Ans C

[V. V. Giri (10 August, 1894 – 23 June, 1980) was the fourth President of India from 24

August, 1969 to 24 August, 1974. Giri was a founding member of the All India Railway

men’s Federation and twice president’s of the All India Trade Union Congress.]

17. The rule of Lapse means

a) All pending bills in Parliament lapse with its propagation.

b) The demand for grants of a ministry lapse with criticism of its policy by the opposition.

c) All appropriations voted by the legislature expire at the end of the financial year.

d) The appropriation bill lapse if it is not returned by Rajya Sabha within 14 days.

Ans C

18. A new All India Service can be created by




a) An amendment of the Constitution b) A resolution under Article 312 of the

Constitution

c) An executive order d) A statute

Ans B

[312. All India Services

a) Notwithstanding anything in Chapter VI of Part VI or Part XI, if the Council of States

has declared by resolution supported by not less than two thirds of the members

present and voting that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest so to do,

Parliament may by law provide for the creation of one or more all India services

(including an all India judicial service) common to the Union and the States, and,

subject to the other provisions of this Chapter, regulate the recruitment, and the

conditions of service of persons appointed, to any such service.

b) The services known at the commencement of this Constitution as the Indian

Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service shall be deemed to be services

created by Parliament under this article.

c) The law providing for the creation of the all India judicial service aforesaid may

contain such provisions for the amendment of Chapter VI of Part VI as may be

necessary for giving effect to the provisions of that law and so much law shall be

deemed to be an amendment of this Constitution for the purposes of article 368]

19. Commenting on the importance of the Himalayan frontier on Indian Foreign policy which one

of following leader said “IF it is breached, the way to Indian Plains and Indian ocean beyond

would be exposed and threats and India would then like wise, be threat to other countries of

South and South east Asia.

a) Prime Minister Indira Gandhi b) Prime Minister Lal Bhadur Shastri

c) Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi d) Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru

Ans D

20. Match the List – I with List – II and select the correct answer from the codes given below:


(Prime Minister) (Tenure of the Prime Minister)

A) I. K. Gujral i. 16 y 1996 – 1 June 1996

B) A. B. Vajpayee ii. 21 April 1997 – 18 March 1998

C) H. D. DeveGowda iii. 10 November 1990-21 June, 1991

D) Chandra Shekar iv. 1 June, 1996 – 20 April, 1997

Codes: A B C D

a) iv iii ii i

b) ii i iv iii

c) i iii iv ii

d) iii ii i iv

Ans B

21. Which of the following is the correct sequence regarding the passage of the Budget?

1. Voting on Grants 2. General Discussion

3. Finance Bill 4. Appropriation Bill

Select the correct code from the following.

a) 2,1,4,3 b) 3,2,1,4 c) 3,1,2,4 d) 1,2,4,3

Ans B

22. Assertion (A) : The President of India is indirectly elected.




Reason (R): Under a Parliamentary system of Government, the head of State is only a

nominal head.

Codes:

a) Both (A) And(R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A),

b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A),

c) (A) is true, but (R) is false. d) (R) is true, but (A) is false.

Ans A

[The President of India is the formal head of the executive and legislature of India and is the

commander-in-chief of the India armed Forces. The President is indirectly elected by the

people through elected members of the houses of Parliament (LokSabha and RajyaSabha) and

the Legislative Assemblies in States and Union Territories (Delhi, Puducherry); and serves for

a term of five years.]

23. Assertion (A) : Money bills originate only in the Lower House of the Parliament.

Reason (R): The Lower House of the Parliament is a popularly elected body.

Codes:

a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the Correct explanation of (A).

b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

c) (A) is true, but (R) is false. d) (R) is true, but (A) is false.

Ans A

[The LokSabha is an elected body consisting of 543 members, 2014 and is the latest to date.

Money bills can only be introduced in the LokSabha, and upon being passed, are sent to the

RajyaSabha, where it can be deliberated on for up to 14 days. If not rejected by the

RajaySabha, or 14 days lapse from the introduction of the bill in the RajyaSabha without any

action by the House, or recommendations made by the RajyaSabha are not accepted by the

LokSabha, the bill is considered passed. The budget is presented in the LokSabha is presented

in the LokSabha by the Finance Minister in the name of the President of India.]

24. Which one of the following committees, is an exclusive committee of RajyaSabha?

(i) Committee on Subordinate Legislation. (ii) Committee on Government

Assurance.

(iii) Committee on Papers Laid on the Table. (iv) Committee on Public

Undertakings.

The correct answer from the codes given below:

Codes:

a) (i), (iii), (iv) b) (i), (ii), (iv) c) (iv),(iii), (ii) d) (i), (ii), (iii)

Ans D

[There shall be a Committee on Subordinate Legislation to scrutinize and report to the

Council whether the powers to make rules, regulations, bye-laws, scheme or other statutory

instruments conferred by the Constitution or delegated Parliament have been properly

exercised within such conferment or delegation, as the case may be.

Constitution

a) The Committee shall consist of fifteen members who shall be nominated by the

chairman.

b) The Committee nominated under sub-rule (1) shall hold office until a new Committee

is nominated.

c) Casual vacancies in the Committee shall be filled by the Chairman.

Functions




After each rule, regulation, byelaw, scheme or other statutory instrument (hereinafter referred

to as the order’) framed in pursuance of the Constitution or the legislative functions delegated

by Parliament to a subordinate authority and which is required to be laid before Parliament, is

so laid before the Council, the Committee shall, in particular consider-

(i) Whether the order is in accord with the provisions of the Constitution or the Act pursuant

to which it is made; (ii) Whether the order contains matter which in the opinion of the

Committee should more properly be dealt with in an Act of Parliament; (iii) Whether the

order contains imposition of taxation; (iv) Whether the order directly or indirectly bars the

jurisdiction of the court; (v) whether the order gives retrospective effect to any of the

provisions in respect of which the Constitution or the act does not expressly give any such

power; (vi) whether the order involves expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India or

the public revenues; (vii)whether the order appears to make some unusual or unexpected use

of the power conferred by the Constitution or the Act pursuant to which it is made; (viii)

whether there appears to have been unjustifiable delay in its publication or laying the order

before Parliament; (ix) whether for any reason the form or purport of the order calls for any

elucidation

There shall be a Committee on Government Assurances to scrutinize the assurances,

promises, undertakings, etc., given by Ministers, from time to time, on the floor of the

Council and to report on-

a) The extent to which such assurances, promises, undertakings, etc., have been

implemented and b) when implemented whether such implementation has taken place

within the minimum time necessary for the purpose.

Constitution

a) The Committee shall consist of ten members who shall be nominated by the Chairman.

b) The Committee nominated under sub-role(1) shall hold office until a new Committee is

nominated.

c) Casual vacancies in the Committee shall be filled by the Chairman.

Committee on Papers Laid on the Table

a) There shall be a Committee on Papers Laid on the Table.

b) After paper is laid before the Council by a Minister, the Committee shall consider-

a) Whether there has been compliance with the provisions of the Constitution or the Act of

Parliament or any other law, rule or regulation in pursuance of which the paper has been so

laid; b) Whether there has been any unreasonable delay in laying the paper before the Council

and if so, (i) whether a statement explaining the reasons for such delay has also been laid

before the Council along with the paper, and (ii) whether those reasons are satisfactory;

c) Whether the paper has been laid before the Council both in English and Hindi and if not,

(i)whether a statement explaining the reasons for not laying the paper in Hindi has also been

laid before the Council along with the paper, and (ii) whether those reasons are satisfactory.

d) The Committee shall perform such other functions in respect of the papers laid on the

Table as may be assigned to it by the Chairman from time to time.

Constitution

a) The Committee shall consist of ten members who shall be nominated by the Chairman. b)

The Committee nominated under sub-rule (1) Shall hold office until a new Committee is

nominated

c) Casual vacancies in the Committee shall be filled by the Chairman.]

25. The term “performance Budget was coined by




a) Administrative Reforms Commission of India. b) First Hoover Commission of

USA.

c) Second Hoover Commission of USA. d) Estimates Committee of India.

Ans B

[Hoover Commission (1947-49, 1953-55), either of two temporary advisory bodies, both

headed by the former president Herbert Hoover. They were appointed to find ways to reduce

the number of federal government departments and increase their efficiency in the Post-World

War II and post-Korean War periods. The commissions were composed equality of

Democratic and Republican members. Their recommendations, over 70 percent of which

were implemented by executive and legislative action, resulted in the elimination and

consolidation of some departments but also in the creation of such new bodies as the

Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and the General Services Administration. In

emulation of the federal government, many states set up similar bodies, known as “little

Hoover commissions.”]

26. Which of the following statements are not correct?

I. As per the provisions of the Constitution, the Council of Ministers is both collectively and

individually responsible to the LokSabha.

II. A motion expressing lack of confidence in an individual minister is not admissible.

III. A no-confidence motion must set out the grounds on which it is based.

IV. IF a no-confidence motion is passed by the Lok-Sabha, the Council of Ministers is bound

to resign.


a) I and II b) I and III c) I, II and (III) d) II and (III)

Ans B

[The Parliamentary form of government is based on the principle of collective responsibility.

Article 75 (3) of the Constitution states that the Council of Ministers is collectively

responsible to the LokSabha. It means that all the Ministers are collectively that all the

Ministers are collectively answerable to the LokSabha for the policies and decisions of the

government, even though a decision taken may pertain to a single ministry. The individual

ministers may have differences among but once a decision is taken by the cabinet it becomes

a joint decision of all the Minister. If a minister does not agree with the decision of the cabinet

he has not choice, but to resign. The Council of Ministers works as a team. Thus it swims or

sinks together.

Individual Responsibility of Ministers: Apart from collectively responsible to the LokSabha,

all ministers are individually responsible to the President. Article 75(2) declares that the

ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President.

Role of the Prime Minister: The Prime minister is the keystone of the cabinet arch. He is

central to the formation of the Council of Ministers central to its life and death. If the Prime

Minister resigns or dies the whole Council of Ministers goes out along with him. The Prime

Minister is the “prime inter pares” (first among equals). It is he who summons and presides

over meeting of the Cabinet. More ever he can remove a minister at any time by demanding a

minister’s resignation or having him dismissed by the President.

The Prime Minister acts as the connecting link between the President and the Cabinet. Article

78 of the Constitution lays down that it is duty of the Prime Minister to communicate to the

President all decisions of the Council of Ministers and to furnish such information of the

affairs of the Union. The Prime Minister is also the main link between the Cabinet and

Parliament.]




27. Match the List – I with List – II and select the correct answer from the codes given below:


(LokSabha) (Speaker)

a. 3rd

LokSabha i. ShivrajPatil

b. 5thLokSabha ii. BairamJakhar

c. 7thLokSabha iii. G. S. Dhillon, Bali Ram Bhagat

d. 10thLokSabhaiv. Hukam Singh iv. Hukam Sing

Codes: a b c d

a) iv iii ii i

B) iv I ii iii

c) i ii iii iv

d) iii iv ii i

Ans A

28. Performance Budgeting became popular in the

a) 1950s b) 1960S c) 1970s d) 1980s

Ans A

[Performance –based budgeting is the practice of developing budgets based on the

relationship between programme funding levels and expected results from tat programme.

The performance-based budgeting process is a tool that program administrators can use to

manage more cost-efficient and effective budgeting outlays.]

29. Which of the following statements are correct about Indian Government?

(i) RajyaSabha represents the local interests of the States.

(ii) A member of RajyaSabha must be a resident of the State form which he is elected.

(iii) Number of seats allotted to a State has to be proportionate to its population.

(iv) The term of a member of RajyaSabha is same as that of Senator in the US.

Codes:

a) (ii), (iii), and (iv) b) (i), (ii), and (iii) c) (i), (iii) and (iv) d) (i) and (ii)

Ans (*)

[RajyaSabha members are elected by state legislatures rather than directly through the

electorate by single transferable vote method. Article 84 of the Constitution lays down the

qualifications for membership of Parliament. A member of the RajyaSabha must:

Be a citizen of India

Make and subscribe before some person authorized in that behalf by the Election

Commission an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in

the Third Schedule to the Constitution;

Be at least 30 years old;

Possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed in that behalf by or under any

law made by Parliament.

Be elected by the Legislative Assembly of States and Union territories by means of

Single transferable vote through Proportional representation.]

30. When were the LokSabha rules amended to provide for Department Related Parliamentary

Standing Committees?

a) 1988 b) 1989 c) 1991 d) 1995

Ans B




[Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) play an important role in exercising

a check over governmental expenditure and policy formulation.

A full-fledged system of 17 Departmentally Related Standing Committees came into being in

April, 1993. These Committees cover under their jurisdiction all the Ministries/Departments

of the Government of India. These Committees are as under:

Name of the Committee

1. Committee on Commerce

2. Committee on Home Affairs

3. Committee on Human Resource Development

4. Committee on Industry

5. Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests

6. Committee on Transport, Culture and Tourism

7. Committee on Agriculture

8. Committee on Information Technology

9. Committee on Defence

10. Committee in Energy

11. Committee on Finance

12. Committee on External Affairs

13. Committee on Food, Civil Supplies and Public Distribution

14. Committee on Labour and Welfare

15. Committee on Petroleum & Chemicals

16. Committee on Railways

17. Committee on Urban and Rural Development

Out of the 17 Committees, 6 Committees (Sl. No. 1 to 6) are serviced by the RajyaSabha

Secretariat and 11 Committees (Sl. No. 7 to 17) by the LokSabha Secretariat.

Each of these Standing Committees consists of not more than 45 members-30 to be

nominated by the Speaker from amongst the members of LokSabha and 15 to be nominated

by the Chairman, RajyaSabha from amongst the members of RajyaSabha. A Minister is not

eligible to be nominated to these Committees.

The term of members of these Committees is one year. With reference to the

Ministries/Departments under their purview, the functions of these committees are:

a) Consideration of Demands for Grants.

b) Examination of Bills referred to by the Chairman, RajyaSabha or the Speaker,

LokSabha as the case may be.

c) Consideration of Annual Reports.

d) Consideration of national basic long term policy documents presented to the House

and referred to the Committee by the Chairman, RajyaSabha or the Speaker,

LokSabha, as the case may be. These Committees do not consider matters of day –to-

day administration of the concerned Ministers/Departments.

The newly constituted departmentally related Standing Committee System is a path-breaking

Endeavour of the Parliamentary surveillance over administration. With the emphasis of their

functioning to concentrate on long term plans, policies and the philosophies guiding the

working of the Executive, these Committees will be in a very privileged position to provide

necessary direction, guidance and inputs for broad policy formulations and in achievement of

the long-term national perspective by the Executive.]

31. Who among the following has associated the origins of political parties with three theories

institutional theories, historical crisis theirs and development theories?




a) La Palombara and Myron Weiner b) Peter K. Merki

c) Harry Eckstein d) Jean Blondel

Ans A

32. The name of a candidate for the Office of President of India is proposed by

a) Any five citizens of India b) Any five Members of the Parliament

c) Any Fifty Members of the Electoral College d) Any ten members of the Electoral College

Ans D

[The new president is chosen by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of

both houses of Parliament, the elected members of the Vidhan Sabhas and the elected

members of the legislative assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry. The

nomination of a candidate for election to the office of the President must be subscribed by at

least 50 electors as proposers and 50 electors as proposers and 50 electors as seconders. The

election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the

Single transferable vote method. The voting takes place by secret ballot. The manner of

election of President is provided by Article 55 of the Constitution.]

33. Who among the following former Presidents of India kept the ‘Indian Post Office

Amendment Bill’ pending?

a) Zakir Hussain b) V. V. Giri

c) Zail Singh d) Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma

Ansq c)

[Gyani Zail Singh (5 May 1916 – 25 December 1994) was the seventh President of India,

serving from 1982 to 1987. Singh used a pocket veto to refuse assent a pocket veto to refuse

assent to the “Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill” in 1986 to show his opposition to the

bill. The bill was later withdrawn by the V. P. Singh Government in 1990.]

34. The Committee on Assurance of the Parliament of India is an instrument of

a) Executive Control b) Judicial Control

c) Civil-Society Control d) Legislative Control

Ans D

[Committee on Government Assurances (LokSabha) Consists of 15 members nominated by

the Speaker. A Minister is not nominated to this Committee. While replaying to questions in

the House or during discussions in the House or during discussions on Bills, Resolutions,

Motions etc. , Ministers at times give assurances or undertaking s either to consider a matter

or to take action or to furnish the House further information later. The functions of this

Committee are to scrutinize the assurances, promises, undertakings etc. given by Ministers

from time to time and to report to LokSabha on the extent to which such assurances etc. have

been implemented and to see whether such implementation has taken place within the

minimum time necessary for the purpose.]

35. Identify the correct sequence in which the following Deputy Prime Ministers were appointed

in India?

(i) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (ii) Ch. DeviLal

(iii) Ch. Charan Singh (iv) Morarji Desai

Codes:

a) (i), (iii), (iv), (ii)

b) (i), (iv), (ii), (iii)

c) (iv), (i), (ii), (iii)

d) (i), (iv), (iii), (iv)

Ans D




[The Deputy Prime Minister of India is a member of the Union Cabinet. Not technically a

constitutional office it seldom carries any specific powers. A deputy prime minister usually

also holds a key cabinet portfolio such as home minister or finance minister. In the

parliamentary system of government, the prime minister is treated as the “first among equals”

in the cabinet; the position of deputy prime minister is used to bring political stability and

strength with in a coalition government or in times of national emergency, when a proper

chain of command is necessary.

The first Deputy Prime Minister of India was a Sardar 21Vallabhbhai Patel, who was also

home

minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet. The office has since been only intermittently

occupied. The seventh and last deputy prime minister was L. K. advani, who took in the role

in addition to his home minister ship from 2002 to 2004 in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s

government.

Many times there arose a proposal to make this post permanent, but nothing happened. The

same goes to the post of Deputy Chip Minister in state level.

List of Deputy Prime Ministers of India

Deputy Prime Minister Term of office Political Party Prime Minister

(Portfolio) 5

Many times there arose a proposal to make this post permanent, but nothing happened. The

same goes to the post of Deputy Chip Minister in state level.

List of Deputy Prime Ministers of India

Deputy Prime Minister Term of office Political Party Prime Minister (Portfolio) (Alliance)

1. Sardar Vallabhai Patel 15 August, 1947- 15 Dec., 1950 INC Jawarhal Nehru

2. Moraji Deasi 21 March 1967- INC Indira 6 December 1969 Gandhi

3. Charan Singh 24March, 1977 - Janata Party Moraji 28July, 1979 Desai

4. Jaghivan Ram 24 March, 1977 Janata Party 28July, 1979

5. Yashwantrao Chavan 28July, 1979-14 INC Charan January, 1980 (Socialist) Singh

6. Chaudhary Devi Lal 2 December, 1989 Janata Dal V. P. Singh -21June, 1991 (National

Front) Chandra Shekhar

7. L. K. Advani 5 February, 2002 BJP (NDA) Atal Bihari (Ministers of Home Affairs) -

22May, 2004 Vajpayee]

36. Public Accounts Committee has the following Members. Tick the correct answer: LokSabha

Total

a) 10, 5, 15 b) 15, 7, 22 c) 11, 5, 16 d) 17, 10, 27

Ans B

[The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a committee of selected members of Parliament,

constituted by the Parliament, for the auditing of the expenditure of the Government of India.

The PAC is formed every year with a strength of not more than 22 members of which 15 are

from LokSabha, the lower house of the Parliament, and 7 from RajyaSabha, the upper house

of the Parliament. The term of office of the members is one year. The Chairman is appointed

by the Speaker of LokSabha. Since 1967, the chairman of the committee is selected from the

opposition. Earlier, it was headed by a member of the ruling party. Its chief function is to

examine the audit report of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) after it is laid in the

Parliament. CAG assists the committee during the course of investigation. None of the 22

members shall be a minister in the government.]

37. Assertion (A): The President of India is the Constitutional Head of the State.




Reason(R): All powers are vested in the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.


a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

c) (A) is true, but (R) is false d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans A

38. The session of the Parliament is summoned by:

a) The President

b) The Prime Minister

c) The Speaker of the LokSabha

d) The Speaker of the LokSabha and the Chairman of the RajyaSabha

Ans A

[Article 87 (1) of the Constitution provides: “At the commencement of the first session after

each general election to the House of the People and at the Commencement of the first

session of each year the President shall address both Houses of Parliament assembled together

and inform Parliament of the causes of its summons.”]

39. Which of the following powers, the President has in relation to LokSabha?

1. Summoning 2. Adjournment – sine die

3. Prorogation 4. Dissolution


Ans C

[The President summons both the Houses (The Parliament and prorogues them. HE can

dissolve the LokSabha.]

40. The interval between two sessions of parliament must not exceed

a) 3 months b) 6 months c) 4 months d) 100 days

Ans B

[The Period during which the House meets to conduct its business is called a session. The

Constitution empowers the President to summon each House at such intervals that there

should not be more than 6-month’s gap between the two sessions. Hence the Parliament must

meet at least twice a year. In India, the parliament conducts three sessions each year:

1. Budget session: In the months of February to May. (Longest)

2. Monsoon session: In the months of July to September.

3. Winter session: In the months of November to December (Shortest)]

41. In the warrant of precedence, the Speaker of the LokSabha comes next only to

a) The President b) The Vice-President

c) The Prime Minister d) The Cabinet Ministers

Ans C

[The order of precedence of India is the protocol list in which the functionaries and officials

are listed according to their rank and office in the Government of India. The order is

established by the President of India, through the office of the President of India and is

maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is only used to indicate ceremonial protocol

and has no legal standing; it does not reflect the Indian presidential line of succession or the

co-equal status of the separation of powers under the Constitution. It is also not applicable to

day to day functioning of Government of India.

Rank 1

President of India




Rank 2

Vice-President of India

Rank 3

Prime Minister

Rank 4

Governors of states of India (with in their respective States)

Rank 5

Former Presidents,

Rank 5A

Deputy Prime Minister

Rank 6

Chief Justice of India, Speaker of LokSabha,

Rank 7

Cabinet Ministers of the Union,

Chief Ministers of States (Within their respective States),

Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission of India,

Former Prime Ministers,

Leaders of the Opposition in the RajyaSabha and LokSabha,

Holdezrs of the Bharat Ratna.

Rank 8

Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and High Commissioner of

Commonwealth countries accredited to India,

Chief Ministers of States (when outside their respective States),

Governors of States (when outside their respective States).

Rank 9

Judges of Supreme Court of India (Justices of India),

Chief Election Commissioner,

Comptroller and Auditor General,

Chairman Union Public Service Commission

Chairman, National Green Tribunal (NGT)

Rank 10

Deputy Chairman, RajyaSabha,

Deputy Chief Ministers of States,

Deputy Speaker of LokSAbha,

Members of the Planning Commission,

Ministers of States of the Union.

Rank 11

Lieutenant Governors within their respective Union Territories,

Attorney General of India

Cabinet Secretary

Rank 12

General of the Indian Army,

Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force,

Admiral of Indian navy

Rank 13

Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary accredited to India.

Rank 14

Chief Justice of States,

Chairman and Speakers of State Legislatures (within their respective States).

Rank 15




Chief Ministers of Union Territories within their respective Union Territories,

Cabinet Ministers in States (within their respective States),

Chief Executive Councilor Delhi (within their respective Union Territories),

Deputy Ministers of the Union.

Rank 16

Officiating Chiefs of Stagg holding the rank of Lieutenant General or equivalent rank.

Rank 17

Judges of State High Courts of India (Justice of States),

Chairman, Central Administrative Tribunal,

Chairman, Minorities Commission,

Chairman, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission,

Judicial Members, National Green Tribunal (NGT)

Rank 18

Cabinet Ministers in States (outside their respective States),

Chairman and Speakers of State Legislatures (outside their respective States),

Chairmen, Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission,

Deputy Chairmen and Deputy Speakers of State Legislatures (within their respective

States),

Ministers of State in States (within their respective States),

Ministers of Union Territories and executive Councilors’ of Delhi (within their

respective Union Territories),

Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in Union Territories,

Chairman of Delhi Metropolitan Council (within their respective Union Territories).

Rank 19

Chief Commissioners of Union Territories not having Councils of Ministers (within

their respective Union Territories),

Deputy Ministers in Slates (within their respective States),

Deputy Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in Union Territories,

Deputy Chairman of Metropolitan Council Delhi (within their respective Union

Territories).

Rank 20

Deputy Chairman and Deputy Speakers of State Legislatures (outside their respective

States), Ministers of State in States (outside their respective State).

Rank 21

Members of Parliament

Rank 22

Deputy Ministers in States (outside their respective States).

Rank 23

Army Commanders/Vice Chief of the army Staff or equivalent in other Services,

Chairman Railway Board,

Chief Secretaries to State Governments (within their respective Slates),

Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities,

Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes,

Members, Minorities Commission,

Members, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission,

Officers of the rank of full General or equivalent rank,

Secretaries to the Government of India,

Secretary, Minorities Commission




Secretary, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission,

Secretary to the President,

Secretary to the Prime Minister,

Secretary to the Prime Minister,

Secretary, RajyaSabha/ LokSabha

Solicitor General

CBDT Chairman ex officio Special Secretary to Government of India,

Vice- Chairman, Central Administrative Tribunal

Member Railway Board

Expert Members, National Green Tribunal (NGT)

Rank 24

Lieutenant General of the Indian Army,

Air Marshal of the Indian Air Force,

Chief Commissioner of Income Tax,

Vice Admiral of the Indian navy.

Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax

Rank 25

Advocate Generals of States,

Additional Secretaries to the Government of India,

Principal Secretaries to State Governments

Additional Solicitor General

Chairman, Tariff Commission,

Charge Affairs and Acting High Commissioners a pied and ad interim,

Chief Ministers of Union Territories (outside their respective Union Territories),

Chief Executive Councilor of Delhi (outside their respective Union Territories),

Chief Secretaries of State Governments (outside their respective States),

Deputy comptroller and Auditor General,

Deputy Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in Union Territories,

Chairman of Delhi Metropolitan Council, (outside their respective Union Territories)

Deputy Chairman, Delhi Metropolitan Council (outside their respective Union

Territories).

Director, Central Bureau of Investigation.

Director General, Border Security Force.

Director General, Central Reserve Police

Director, Intelligence Bureau

Lieutenant Governors (outside their respective Union Territories). Members, Central

Administrative Tribunal.

Members, Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission

Ministers of Union Territories and Executives Councilors, Delhi (outside their

respective rank)

Principal Staff officers of the Armed Forces of the rank of Major General or

equivalent rank.

Speakers of Legislative Assemblies in Union Territories,

Chief Commissioner of Income Tax. Rank 26

Joint Secretaries to the Government of India,

Major – General of the Indian Army,

Rear Admiral of the Indian Navy,




Air Vice Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Inspector General of the Indian Police,

Secretaries to State Governments, Commissioner of Income Tax,

Commissioner of Customs]

42. The President of India is

a) The Head of State b) The Head of Government

c) Both Head of the State and the Head of the Government d) None of the above

Ans C

[The President of India is the head of state and formal head of the executive, legislature and

judiciary of India and is the commander-in-chief of the Indian Armed Forces.

Although Article 53 of the Constitution of India States that the President can exercise his or

her powers directly or by subordinate authority, with few exceptions all of the executive

authority vested in the President are, in practice, exercised by the popularly elected

Government of India, headed by the Prime Minister. This Executive power is exercised by the

Prime Minister with the help of the Council of Ministers.]

43. Who among the following holds office during the pleasure of the President of India?

a) Chief Election Commissioner b) Comptroller and Auditor General

of India

c) Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission d) Governor of a State

Ans D [The Governor acts as the nominal head whereas the real power lies in the hand of the

Chief Ministers of the states and the Chief Minister’s Council of Ministers.

The Governors and Lieutenant Governors are appointed by the President for a term of 5 years.

Powers and functions

The Governor enjoys many different types of powers:

Executive powers related to administration, appointments and removals,

Legislative powers related to law making and the state legislature, that is

VidhanSabha or Vidhan Parishad,

Discretionary powers to be carried out according to be discretion of the Governor.

Executive Powers

The Constitution vests in the Governor all the executive powers of the State

Government. The Governor appoints the Chief Minister who enjoys the support of the

majority in the VidhanSabha. The Governor also appoints the other members of the

Council of Ministers and distributes portfolios to them on the advice of the Chief

Minister.

The Council of Ministers remain in power during the ‘pleasure’ of the Governor, but

in the real sense it means the pleasure of the VidhanSabha. As long as the majority in

the VidhanSabha supports the government, the Council of Ministers cannot be

dismissed.

The Governor appoints the Chief Minister of a state. He/she also appoints the

Advocate General and the chairman and members of the State Public Service

Commission. The President consults the Governor in the appointment of judges of the

High Courts and the Governor appoints the judges of the District Courts.

Legislative Powers

The Governor summons the sessions of both houses of the state legislature and prorogues

them. The Governor can even dissolve the VidhanSabha. These powers are formal and the

Governor while using these powers must act according to the advice of the Council of

Ministers headed by the Chief Minister.




The Governor inaugurates the state legislature by addressing it after the assembly elections

and also at the beginning of the first session every year. The Governor’s address on these

occasions generally outlines new policies of the state government. A bill that the state

legislature has Passed, can become a law only after the Governor gives assent. The Governor

can return a bill to the state legislature sends it back to the Governor for the second time, the

Governor must assent to it. The Governor has the power to reserve certain bills for the

President.

When the state legislature is not in session and the Governor considers it necessary to have a

law, then the Governor can promulgate ordinances. These ordinances are submitted to the

state legislature at its next session. They remain valid for no more than six weeks from the

date the state legislature is reconvened unless approved by it earlier.

Financial powers Money bills can be introduced in the State Legislature Assembly only on the prior

recommendation of the Governor. He/she also causes to be laid before the State Legislature

the annual financial statement which is the State Budget. Further no demand for grant shall be

made except on his/her recommendation. He can also make advances out of the Contingency

Fund of the State to meet any unforeseen expenditure. Moreover, he constitutes the State

Finance Commission. In vidhansabha he nominates 1 person

Discretionary powers

The Governor can use these powers:

a) IF no party gets an absolute majority, the Governor can use his discreation in the

selection of the Chief Minister;

b) During an emergency he can override the advice of the council of ministers. At such

times, he acts as an agent of the President and becomes the real ruler of the state;

c) He uses his direction in submitting a report to the President regarding the affairs of

the state; and

d) He can withhold his assent to a bill and send it to the President for his approval.

Qualifications of the Governor

1. He must be the citizen of India

2. He must passed the age of 35 years.

3. He must not be the member of the either house of the parliament or house of the state

legislature.

4. He cannot hold any other office.

Removal

The term of Governor’s office is normally 5 years but it can be terminated earlier by

1. Dismissal by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister of the country, at whose

pleasure the Governor holds office.

2. Resignation by the governor

There is no provision of impeachment, as it happens for the President

Comptroller and Auditor General of India: The Comptroller and Auditor General ) of India is

an authority, established by the Constitution of India under Chapter V, who audits all receipts

and expenditure of the Government of India and the state governments, including those of

bodies and authorities substantially financed by the government. The CAG is also the external

auditor of government-owned companies. The reports of the CAG are taken into

consideration by the Public Accounts Committees, which are special committees in the

Parliament of India and the state legislatures. The CAG is also the head of the Indian audit

and Accounts Department, which has over 58,000 employees cross the country.

The CAG is mentioned in the Constitution of India under Article 148-151.




The CAG is ranked 9th and enjoys the same status as a judge of Supreme Court of India in

Indian order of precedence.

Appointment

The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India is appointed by the President of India

following a recommendation by the Prime Minister. On appointment, he/she has to make an

oath or affirmation before the President of India.

Compensation

The salary and other conditions of service of the CAG are determined by the Parliament of

India through “The Comptroller and Auditor-General’s (Duties, power and Conditions of

service) Act, 1971”. As per the act, his salary of a Judge of Supreme Court of India. Neither

his salary nor rights in respect of leave of absence, pension or age of retirement can be varied

to his disadvantage after his appointment. The CAG is not eligible for further office either

under the Government of India or under the Government of any State after he has ceased to

hold his office. These provisions are in order to ensure the independence of CAG.

Removal

The CAG shall only be removed from office in like manner and on the like grounds as a judge

of the Supreme Court.

The Constitution of India [Article 148] provides for an independence office to the CAG of

India. He/she was the head of India Audit and Accounts Department. His /her duty is to

uphold the constitution of India and laws of the Parliament in the field of financial

administration.

Scope of audits

“CAG is not a munimji or an accountant or something like that… He is a constitutional authority who can examine the revenue allocation and allocation and matters relating to the

economy. CAG is the principle auditor whose function is to go into the economy,

effectiveness and efficiency of the use of resources by the government. If the CAG will not

do, then who else will do it”

*Observation of bench of Supreme Court of India while dismissing a petition challenging

CAGT reports on 2G spectrum, Coalgate, etc.

Audit of government accounts (including the accounts of the state governments) in India is

entrusted to the CAG of India who is empowered to audit all expenditure from the revenues

of the union or state governments, whether incurred within India or outside. Specifically,

audits include:

Transactions relating to debt, deposits, remittances, Trading, and manufacturing

Profit and loss accounts and balance sheets kept under the order of the President or Governors

Receipts and stock accounts. Cag also audits the books of accounts of the government

companies as per companies act.

In addition, the CAG also executes performance and compliance audits of various functions

and departments of the government. Recently, the CAG as a part of thematic review on

“Introduction of New Trains” is deputing an auditor’ team on selected trains, originating and

terminating at Sealdah and Howrah stations, to assess the necessity of their introduction.

CAG has been appointed as external auditor of three major UN organisations: the Vienna-

based International Atomic Energy Agency(IADA), the Geneva-based World Intellectual

Property Organisation (WIPO) and World Food Organisation (WFO).

Present CAG, Vinod Rai has been elected the Chairman of the United Nation’s panel of

external auditors.

Rebecca Mathai, is an Indian who is presently the External Auditor of Un organisation World

Food Programme (WFP) Headquartered at Rome, Italy.]




44. Match List – I (Institutions) with List – II (Functions) and select the correct answer by using

the code given below:

List – I List - II

(Institutions) (Functions)

A) Parliament: (i) Formulation of Budget

B) C & A. G. (ii) Enactment of Budget

C) Ministry of Finance (iii) Implementation of Budget

D) Executing Departments (iv) Legality of expenditure

(v) Justification of Income

Code: A B C D

a) (iii) , (iv), (ii), (i)

b) (ii), (iv), (i), (iii)

c) (v), (iii), (iv), (ii)

d) (iv), (ii), (iii), (v)

Ans B

[The Budget is presented to LokSabha on such day as the President may direct. Immediately

after the presentation of the Budget, the following three statements under the Fiscal

Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 are also laid on the Table of

By convention the Railway Budget is presented sometime in the third week of February at

1200 hours after the Question Hour. The General Budget was presented by convention, till

1998, on the last working day of February at 5 p. m. This Convention was however, changed

in 1999 when the General Budget was presented at 11 A. M. Since then the General Budget is

presented at 11 A. M. on the last working day of February (except in 2000 when it was

presented at 2 P. M.)

LokSabha: (i) The Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement; (ii) The Fiscal Policy Strategy

Statement; and (iii) The Macro Economic Frame work Statement. Simultaneously, a copy of

the respective Budgets is laid on the Table of RajyaSabha. In an election year, the Budgets

may be presented twice-first to secure a Vote on Account for a few months and later in full.

Distribution of Budget Papers

In the case of the Railway Budget, the sets are distributed to members from the Publications

Counter after the Railway Minister has concluded his speech. The sets of General Budget are

distributed to members from several booths in the Inner and Outer Lobbies arranged

according to the Division Numbers of members. In case Division Numbers have not been

allotted, these booths are arranged State-wise. The budget papers are made available to

members after the Finance Minister’s Bill has been introduced and the House has adjourned

for the day.

Discussion on the Budget

No discussion on Budget takes place on the day it is presented to the House. Budgets are

discussed in two stages-the General Discussion followed by detailed discussion followed by

detailed discussion and voting on the demands for grants.

Allotment of Time for Discussion

The whole process of discussion and voting on the demands for grants and the passage of the

Appropriation and Finance Bills is to be completed within a specified time. As a result, often

the demands for grants relating to all the /ministries/Departments can-not be discussed and

demands of some Ministries get guillotined i. e. voted without discussion. The Minister of

Parliamentary Affairs, after the presentation of the Budget, holds a meeting of leaders of

Parties/ Groups in LokSabha for the selection of Ministries/ Departments whose demands for




grants might be discussed in the House. On the basis of decisions arrived at this meeting, the

Government forwards the proposals for the consideration of the Business Advisory

Committee. The Business Advisory Committee after considering the proposals allots time and

also recommends the order in which the demands might be discussed. It is generally left to the

Government to make any change in the order of discussion.

After the allotment of time by the Business Advisory Committee, a time table showing the

dates on and order in which the demands for grants of various Ministries would be taken up in

the Houses is published in Bulletin-Part II for the information of members.

General Discussion on? The Budget

During the General Discussion, the House is at liberty to discuss the Budget as a whole or any

question of principles involved therein but no motion can be moved. A general survey of

administration is in order. The scope of discussion is confined to an examination of the

general scheme and structure of the Budget, whether the items of expenditure ought to be

increased or decreased, the policy of taxation as expressed in the Budget and in the speech of

the Finance Minister. The Finance Minister or the Railway Minister, as the case may be, has

the general right of reply at the end of the discussion.

Consideration of the Demands from Grants by Departmentally Related Standing Committees

of Parliament

With the creation of Departmentally Related Standing Committees of Parliament in 1933, the

Demands for Grants of all the Ministries/Departments are required to be considered by these

Committees. After the General Discussion on the Budget is over, the House is adjourned for a

fixed periods. During this period, the Demands for Grants of the Ministries/Departments are

considered by the Committees. These Committees are required to make their reports to the

House within specified period without asking for more time and make separate report on the

Demands for Grants of each Ministry.

Discussion on Demands for Grants

The demands for grants are presented to LokSabha along with the Annual Financial

Statement. These are not generally moved in the House by the Minister concerned. The

demands are assumed to have been moved and are proposed from the Chair to save the time

of the House. After the reports of the Standing Committees are presented to the House, the

House proceeds to the discussion and voting on Demand for Grants, Ministry-wise. The scope

of discussion at this stage is confined to a matter which is under the administrative control of

the Ministry and to each head of the demand as is out to the vote of the House. It is open to

members to disapprove a policy pursued by a particular Ministry or to suggest measure for

economy in the administration of that Ministry or to focus attention of the Ministry to specific

local grievances. At this stage, cut motions can be moved to, reduce any demand for grant but

no amendments to a motion seeking to reduce any demand is permissible.

Cut Motions

The motions to reduce the amounts of demands for grants are called ‘Cut Motions’. The

object of a cut motion is to draw the attention of the House to the matter specified therein.

Cut Motions can be classified into three categories:-

Disapproval of Policy Cut: A cut motion which says “That the amount of the demand be

reduced to Re. 1 “implies that the mover disapproves of the policy underlying the demand.

The member giving notice of such a Cut motion has to indicate in precise terms the

particulars of the policy which he proposes to discuss. Discussion is confined to the specific

point or points mentioned in the notice and it is open to the member to advocate an alternative

policy.

Economy Cut:




Where the object of the motion is to effect economy in the expenditure, the form of the

motion is “That the amount of the demand be reduced by Rs… (a specified amount)”. The

amount suggested for reduction may be either a lump-sum reduction in the demand or

omission or reduction of an item in the demand.

Token Cut: Where the object of the motion is to ventilate a specific grievance within the

sphere of responsibility of the Government of India, its form is: “That the amount of the

demand be reduced by Rs. 100”. Discussion on such a cut motion is confined to the particular

grievance specified in the motion which is within the sphere of responsibility of the

Government of India.

For the facility of members, printed forms for giving notices of cut motions are kept in the

Parliamentary Notice Office.

Notice period for tabling Cut Motions

The notices of cut motions can be tabled after the presentation of Railway/General Budget.

The notice of cut motions tabled up to 15. 15 hours on a day are printed and circulated before

the day the relevant demands for grants to which they relate are to be taken up in the House.

The notices tabled after 15. 15 hours are deemed to have tabled on the next working day.

These notices are printed and circulated on the next working day if the demands for grants to

which they relate have not already been disposed of in the House.

As cut motions are circulated to members both in English and Hindi simultaneously, the

Rules Committee (Fourth LokSabha) at its sitting held on 9 March, 1970 decided that

members might be requested to table such notices at least two days before the day they are to

be taken up in the House.

Accordingly, members should table the notice of cut motions at least two days before the day

the demands for grants to which they relate, are to be taken up in the House, but in any case

not later than 15. 15 hours on the previous day.

Admissibility of Cut Motions—Conditions of

A cut motion to be admissible should satisfy the following conditions:

(1) It should relate to one demand only. (2) It should be clearly expressed and should not

contain arguments, inferences, ironical expressions, imputations, epithets and defamatory

statements.

(3) It should be confined to one specific matter which should be stated in precise terms. (4) It

should not reflect on the character or conduct of any person whose conduct can only be

challenged on a substantive motion. (5) IT should not make suggestions for the amendment or

repeal of existing laws. (6) It should not relate to a State subject or to matters which are not

primarily the concern of the Government of India. (7) It should not relate to expenditure

‘Charged’ on the Consolidated Fund of India. (8) It should not relate to a matter which is

under adjudication by a court of law having jurisdiction in any part of India. (9) It should not

raise a question of privilege. (10) It should not revive discussion on matter which has been

discussed in the same session and on which decision has been taken. (11) It should not

anticipate a matter which has been previously appointed for consideration in the same session.

(12) It should not ordinarily seek to raise discussion on a matter pending before any statutory

tribunal or statutory authority performing any judicial or quasi-judicial functions or any

commission or court of enquiry appointed to enquire into, or investigate any matter. However,

the Speaker may in his discretion allow such matter being raised in the House as is concerned

with the procedure or state of enquiry, if the Speaker is satisfied that it is not likely to

prejudice the consideration of such matter by the statutory tribunal, statutory authority

commission or court of enquiry. (13) It should not relate to a trifling matter. The Speaker

decides whether a cut motion is or is not admissible and may disallow any cut motion when in




his opinion it is an abuse of the right of moving cut motions or is calculated to obstruct or

prejudicially affect the procedure of the House or is in contravention of the Rules of

Procedure of the House.

It is a well-established Parliamentary convention that cut motion seeking to discuss the action

of the Speaker or relating to Speaker’s Department or matters under the control of Speaker are

not allowed. Likewise, cut motions relating to the office of the Vice-President (who is also

ex-officio Chairman of RajyaSabh a) are not admissible. Cut motion relating to matters under

consideration of a Parliamentary Committee are not admissible. Cut motions are not

admissible if they ventilate personal grievances, or if they cst aspersions on individual

Government officials. Cut motions seeking to discuss a matter affecting relations with a

friendly foreign, country or details of internal administration of an autonomous body are out

of order as also those which seek omission of a whole grant.

Token cuts seeking to discuss inadequacy of provision in respect of a particular demand are,

however, in order.

Normally members of ruling party do not table cut motions.

Circulation of Lists of Cut Motions

Lists of cut motions to the various demands for grants as admitted by the Speaker are

circulated to members generally two days in advance of the date on which the demands for

grants in respect of the Ministry are to be taken up in the House for discussion.

Moving of Cut Motions

At the commencement of the discussion on the demands for grants in respect of a particular

Ministry, members are asked by the Speaker to hand over at the Table, within fifteen minutes,

slips indicating the serial numbers of their cut motions that they would like to move. The cut

motions thus indicated are only treated as moved. Cut motions cannot be moved at a later

stage.

Cut motions cannot be moved by proxy. A member should be present in the House to move

his cut motions when the relevant demands for grants are taken up.

Guillotine

On the last of the allotted days for the discussion and voting on demands for grants, at the

appointed time the Speaker puts every question necessary to dispose of all the outstanding

matters in connection with the demands for grants. This is known as guillotine. The guillotine

concludes the discussion on demands for grants.

Annual Reports, outcome Budgets and Detailed Demands for Grants of the Ministries

In connection with discussion on demands for grants, copies of the Annual Reports and

Outcome Budget of the various Ministries and Departments are made available to members

through the publications Counter. Detailed demands for grants in respect of various

Ministries/Departments are laid on the Table of LokSabha sometime before the demands for

grants are considered by the Departmentally Related Standing Committees

Vote on Account

As the whole process of Budget beginning with its presentation and ending with discussion

and voting of demands for grants and passing of Appropriation Bill and Finance Bill

generally goes beyond the current financial year, a provision has been made in the

Constitution empowering the LokSabha to make any grant in advance through a vote on

account to enable the Government to carry on until the voting of demands for grants and the

passing of the Appropriation Bill and Finance Bill.

Normally, the vote on account is taken for two months for a sim equivalent to one sixth of the

estimated expenditure for the entire year under various demands for grants. During an

election year, the vote on account may be taken for a longer period say, 3 to 4months if it is




anticipated that the main demands and the Appropriation Bill will take longer than two

months to be passed by the House.

AS a convention vote on account is treated as a formal matter and passed by LokSabha

without discussion.

Vote on account is passed by LokSabha after the general discussion on the Budget (General

and Railway) is over and before the discussion on demands for grants is taken up.

Supplementary and Excess Demands for Grants

If the amount authorised to be expended for a particular service for the current financial year

is found to be insufficient for the purpose of that year or when a need has arisen during the

current financial year for supplementary or additional expenditure upon some ‘new service’ not contemplated in the Budget for that year the President causes to be laid before both the

Houses of Parliament another statement showing the estimated amount of that expenditure.

If any money has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess of the amount

granted or the service for that year, the President causes to be presented to LokSabha a

demand for such excess. All cases involving such excesses are brought to the notice of

Parliament by the Comptroller and Auditor General through his report on the Appropriation

Accounts. The excesses are then examined by the Public Accounts Committee which makes

recommendations regarding their regularisation in its report to the House.

The Supplementary Demands for Grants are presented to and passed by the House before the

end of the financial year while the demands for excess grants are made after the expenditure

has actually been incurred and after the financial year to which it relates, has expired.

Copies of the Books of Demands for Supplementary or Excess Grants, received from the

Ministry of Finance, are made available to members from the Publication of such demands.

Procedure for Discussion

Supplementary and Excess Grant are regulated by the same procedure as is applicable in the

case of demands for grants of the main Budget subject to such adaptations, whether by way of

modification, addition or omission, as the Speaker deems necessary or expedient.

Scope of discussion on Supplementary/Excess Grants

The discussion on the Supplementary Demans for Grants is confined to the items constituting

the same and no discussion can be raised on the original grants nor on the policy underlying

them. In respect of schemes already sanctioned in the main Budget, no discussion on any

question of principle or policy is allowed. As regards demands for which no sanction has been

obtained, the question of policy has to be confined to the items of expenditure on which the

voter of the House is sought. General grievances cannot be ventilated during discussion on a

Supplementary Grant. Members can only point out whether the Supplementary Demand is

necessary or not.

During discussion on Excess Demands for Grants members can point out how money has

been spent unnecessarily or that it ought not to have been spent; beyond this there is no scope

for general discussion or for ventilation of grievances.

Cut Motions to Supplementary/Excess Demands for Grants

The cut motions to Supplementary or Excess Demands for Grants must relate to the subject

matter of the Supplementary or Excess Demands. Cut motions which are extraneous to the

subject matter of such demands are out of order.

Appropriation Bill

After the demands for grants have been passed by the House, a Bill to provide for the

appropriation out of the Consolidated Fund of India of all moneys required to meet the grants

and the expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India is introduced, considered and

passed. The introduction of such Bill cannot be opposed. The Scope of discussion is limited to




matters of public importance or administrative policy implied in the grants covered by the Bill

and which have not already been raised during the discussion on demands for grants. The

Speaker may require members desiring to take part in the discussion to give advance

intimation of the specific points they intend to raise and may withhold permission for raising

such of the points has in his opinion appear to be repetition of the matters discussed on a

demand for grant. Such advance intimation must be given before 10. 00 hours on the day the

Appropriation Bill is to be taken into consideration. No action is taken on intimations

received after 10. 00 hours

No amendment can be proposed to an Appropriation Bill which will have the effect of

varying the amount or altering the destination of any grant so made or of varying the amount

of any expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, and the decision of the

Speaker as to whether such an amendment is admissible is final. An amendment to an

Appropriation Bill for omission of a demand voted by the House is out of order.

In order respects, the procedure in respect of an Appropriation Bill is the same as in respect of

other Money Bills.

Finance Bill

“Finance Bill “means a Bill ordinarily introduced every year to give effect to the financial

proposals of the Government of India for the next following financial year and includes a Bill

to give effect to supplementary financial proposals for any period.

The Finance Bill is introduced immediately after the presentation of the Budget. The

introduction of the Bill cannot be opposed. The Appropriation Bills and Finance Bills may be

introduced without prior circulation of copies to members.

The Finance Bill usually contains a declaration under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act,

1931, by which the declared provisions of the Bill relating to imposition or increase in duties

of customs or excise in duties of customs or excise come into force immediately on the expiry

of the day on which the Bill is introduced. In view of such provisions and the provision of Act

of 1931, the Finance Bill has to be passed by Parliament and assented to by the President

before the expiry of the seventy – fifth day after the day on which it was introduced.

AS the Finance Bill contains taxation proposals, it is considered and passed by the LokSabha

only after the Demands for Grants have been voted and the total expenditure is known. The

scope of discussion on the Finance Bill is vast and members can discuss any action of the

Government of India. The whole administration comes under review.

The procedure in respect of Finance Bill is the same as in the case of other Money Bills.

Budgets of Union Territories and States under President’s Rule

Budgets of Union territories and States under President’s Rule are also presented to

LokSabha. The procedure in regard to the Budget of the Union Government is followed in

such cases with such variations or modifications, as the Speaker may make.]

45. The president of India takes oath

a) To uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India

b) To bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India

c) To uphold the Constitution and Laws of the country

d) To preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law of the country.

Ans D

[The President is required to make and subscribe in the presence of the Chief Justice of India

(or in his absence, the senior-most Judge of the Supreme Court), an oath or affirmation that

he/she shall protect, preserve and defend the Constitution as follows:

I, (name), do swear in the name of God (or Solemnly affirm) that I will faithfully execute the

office of President (or discharge the functions of the President) of the Republic of India, and




will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law, and

that I will devote myself to the service and well being of the people of the Republic of India.

*Article 60, Constitution of India]

46. According to Article 120 of the constitution of India, the business in Parliament shall be

transacted in

a) English only b) Hindi Only c) English and Hindi both

d) All the languages included in Eighth Schedule of the Constitution

Ans C

[Article 120. Language to be used in Parliament

(1) Notwithstanding anything in Part XVII, but subject to the provisions of article 348,

business in Parliament shall be transacted in Hindi or in English: provided that the Chairman

of the Council of States or Speaker of the House of the People, or person acting as such, as

the case may be, may permit any member who cannot adequately express himself in Hindi or

in English to address the House in his mother tongue.

(2) Unless Parliament by law otherwise provides, this article shall, after the expiration of a

period of fifteen years from the commencement of this Constitution, have effect as if the

words “or in English” were omitted there form.]

47. The Parliament in India is composed of

a) LokSabha and RajyaSabha b) LokSabha, RajyaSabha& Vice President

c) LokSabha, RajyaSabha& President d) LokSabha, RAjyaSAbha with their

Secretariats

Ans C

[The Parliament of India was founded in 1921. The Parliament comprises the President of

India and the two Houses –LokSabha (House of the People) and RajyaSabha (Council of

States). The President has the power to summon and prorogue either House of Parliament or

to dissolve LokSabha.

Parliament is bicameral; RajyaSabha is the upper house and LokSabha is the lower house. ]

48. Electoral disputed arising out of Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections are settled by:

a) Election Commission of India b) Joint Committee of Parliament

c) Supreme Court of India d) Central Election Tribunal

Ans C

[The Supreme Court has special advisory jurisdiction in matters which may specifically be

referred to it by the President of India under Article 143 of the Constitution. There are

provisions for reference or appeal to this Court under Article 317(1) of the Constitution,

Section 257 of the Income tax Act, 1961, section 7(2) of the Monopolies and Restrictive

Trade Practices Act, 1969, Section 130-A of the Customs Act, 1962, Section 35-H of the

Central Excises and Salt Act, 1944 and Section 82C of the Gold (Control) Act, 1968. Appeals

also lie to the Supreme Court under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, Monopolies

and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969, Advocates Act, 1961, Contempt of Courts Act,

1971, Customs Act, 1962, Central Excises and Salt Act, 1944, Enlargement of Criminal

Appellate Jurisdiction Act, 1970, Trial of offence Relating to Transactions in securities Act,

1992, Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 and Consumer Protection

Act, 1986. Election Petitions under Part III of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections

Act, 1952are also filed directly in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has the power to transfer the cases from one High Court to another and

even from one District Court of a particular state to another District Court of the other state.




In such transfer cases the Honble Supreme Court transfer only those cases if they really lack

appropriate territorial jurisdiction and those cases which were otherwise supposed to be filled

under the high court. ]

49. Who among the following can be asked to make a statement in Indian Parliament?

a) Any MLA b) Chief of Army Staff

c) Solicitor General of India d) Mayor of Delhi

Ans C

[The Solicitor General of India is subordinate to the Attorney General for India, who is the

Indian Government’s chief legal advisor, and its primary lawyer in the Supreme Court of

India. The Solicitor General of India is appointed for the period of 3 years. The Solicitor

General of India is the secondary law officer of the country, assists theat Solicitors General of

India. Like the attorney General for India, the Solicitor General and the Additional Solicitors

General Advice the Government and appear on behalf of the Union of India in terms of the

Law Officers (Terms and Conditions) Rules, 1972. However, unlike the post of Attorney

General for India, which is a Constitutional Post under Article 76 of the Constitution of India,

the posts of the Solicitor General and the Additional Solicitors General are merely statutory.

50. Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) includes:

a) Department of Elementary Education and Literacy

b) Department of Secondary Education and Higher Education

c) Department of Women and Child Development

d) All the Above

Ans D

[The essence of Human Resource Development is education, which plays a significant and

remedial role in balancing the socio-economic fabric of the country. Since citizens of India

are its most valuable resource, our billion-strong nation needs the nurture and care in the form

of basic education to achieve a better quality of life. This warrants an all-round development

of our citizens, which can be achieved by building strong foundations in education. In

pursuance of this mission, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) was

created on September 26, 1985, through the 174th amendment to the Government of India

(Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. Currently, the MHRD works through two departments:

Department of School Education & Literacy

Department of Higher Education

While the Department of School Education & Literacy is responsible for development of

school education and literacy in the country, the Department of Higher Education takes care

of what is one of the largest Higher Education systems of the world, just after the United

States and China.

The Deptt of SE and L has its eyes set on the “universalisation of education” and making

better citizens out of our young brigade. For this, various new schemes and initiatives are

taken up regularly and recently, those schemes and initiatives have also started paying

dividends in the form of growing enrolment in schools.

The Dept of He, on the other hand, is engaged in bringing world class opportunities of higher

education and research to the country so that Indian students are not finding lacking when

facing an international platform. For this, the Government has launched joint ventures and

signed MoUs to help the Indian Student benefit from the world opinion.

The main objectives of the Ministry would be:

Formulating the National Policy on Education and to ensure that it is implemented in

letter and spirit.




Planned development, including expanding access and improving quality of the

educational institutions throughout the country, including in the regions where people

do not have easy access to education.

Paying special attention to disadvantaged groups like the poor, females and the

minorities *Provide financial help in the form of scholarships, loan subsidy, etc to

deserving students from deprived sections of the society.

Encouraging international cooperation in the field of education, including working

closely with the UNESCO and foreign governments as well as Universities, to

enhance the educational opportunities in the country. ]

51. For Election of Members to LokSabha and Legislative Assembly, electoral constituencies

comprise wholly or partly of which area—

a) A Transitional Area b) Municipal Area c) Legislative Council d) None of the

above

Ans B

52. Which of the following is correct?

a) All the members of the RajyaSabha are elected by State Legislative Assemblies b) Only a

member of the RajyaSabha can contest for the office of the Vice-President. c) While a

candidate to the LokSabha can contest from any state in India, a candidate to the RajyaSabha

should ordinarily be a resident of the State from where he is contesting. d) The Constitution

explicitly prohibits the appointment of a nominated member of the RajyaSabha to the post of

a Minister.

Ans C

[Article 84 of the Constitution lays down the qualifications for membership of Parliament.

They are similar for membership of both the Houses except in respect of minimum age and

representation. The Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) lays down a further

qualification that to be chosen as a representative of any State or Union territory in the

RajyaSabha unless he is an elector for a Parliamentary constituency in India.]

53. The maximum number of Anglo Indians who can be nominated to the LokSabha nominated

to the LokSabha are

a) 3 b) 2 c) 5 d) 4

Ans B

[Article 331: Representation of the Anglo- Indian Community in LokSabha says that

President may appoint two members from Anglo-Indian Community to LokSabha., if in his

opinion that this community is not represented adequately, notwithstanding anything

mentioned in Article 81 which deals with Composition of LokSabha. Article 81(1)which was

inserted by 35th Constitutional Amendment Act, says that subject to Article 331, LokSAbha

shall consists of 530 directly elected representatives from states and 20 directly elected

representatives from Union Territories. Thus, the total strength of LokSabha is 552 including

two members of Anglo-Indian Community.

Article 366 (2)of the Indian Constitution defines Anglo-Indian as a person who is domiciled

within the territory of India, whose father or any of his other male line are of European

descent.]

54. In the case of disagreement on a Bill, in the two Houses of Parliament

a) A special Parliamentary Committee is formed to resolve the situation.

b) The Prime Minister intervenes.




c) The President casts a deciding vote

d) A joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament is convened.

Ans D

[108. Joint sitting of both Houses in certain cases-

(1) If after a Bill has been passed by one House and transmitted to the other House- a) the Bill

is rejected by the other House; or b) the Houses have finally disagreed as to the amendments

to be made in the Bill; or c) more than six months elapse from the date of the reception of the

Bill by the other House without the Bill being passed by it, the President has elapsed by

reason of a dissolution of the House of the People, notify to the houses by message if they are

sitting or by public notification if they are not sitting, his intention to summon them to meet in

a joint sitting for the purpose of deliberating and voting on the Bill: Provided that nothing in

this clause shall apply to a Money Bill.

(2) In reckoning any such period of six months as is referred to in clause (1), no account shall

be taken of any period during which the House referred to in sub-clause c) of that clause is

prorogued or adjourned for more than four consecutive days. (3) where the President has

under clause (1) notified his intention of summoning the Houses to meet in a joint sitting,

neither House shall proceed further with the Bill, but the President may at any time after the

date of his notification summon the Houses to meet in a joint sitting for the purpose specified

in the notification and, if he does so, the Houses shall meet according. (4)If at the joint sitting

of the two Houses the Bill, with such amendments, if any, as are agreed to in joint sitting, is

passed by a majority of the total number of members of both Houses present and voting, it

shall be deemed for the purposes of this Constitution to have been passed by both Houses:

Provided that at a joint sitting- a) if the Bill, having been passed by one House, has not been

passed by the other House with amendments and returned to the House in which it originated,

no amendment shall be proposed to the Bill other than such amendments (if any) as are made

necessary by the delay in the passage of the Bill; b) if the Bill has been so passed and

returned, only such amendments as aforesaid shall be proposed to the Bill and such other

amendments as are relevant to the matters with respect to which the Houses have not agreed;

and the decision of the person presiding as to the amendments which are admissible under this

clause shall be final. (5)A joint sitting may be held under this article and a Bill passed thereat,

notwithstanding that a dissolution of the House of the People has intervened since the

President notified his intention to summon the Houses to meet therein.]

55. Which of the following is not correct regarding a Money Bill?

a) It can be introduced in either House of a Parliament.

b) It can be passed by the LokSabha even if the RajyaSaba rejects it.

c) It is deemed to have been passed by both Houses if it is not returned by the RajyaSabha

within 14 days.

d) It requires the prior approval of the President.

Ans A [Procedure for a Money Bill:

Money Bills can be introduced only in LokSabha.

Money bills passed by the LokSabha are sent to the RajyaSabha. The RajyaSabha

may not amend money bills but can recommend amendments. To make sure that

RajyaSabha doesn’t amend the bill by adding some non-money matters (known as

Financial Bill), the LokSabha Speaker certifies the bill as a money bill before sending

it to the upper house, and the decision of the Speaker is binding on both the Houses.

A money bill must be returned to the LokSabha within 14 days or the bill is deemed

to have passed both houses in the form it was originally passed by the LokSabha.




When a Money Bill is returned to the LokSabha with the recommend amendments of

the RajyaSabha it is open to LokSabha to accept or reject any or all of the

recommendations.

A money bill is deemed to have passed both houses with any recommended

amendments the LokSabha chooses to accept.

The definition of “Money Bill” is given in the Article 110 of the Constitution of

India. A financial bill is not a Money Bill unless it fulfils the requirements of the

Article 110.

The Speaker of the LokSabha certifies if a Finance bill is a Money Bill or not.

Policy cut motion – Disapproval of the given policy. Symbolically, the members

demand that the amount of the demand be reduced to 1 rupee. They may also suggest

an alternative policy.

Economy cut motion – It is demanded that the amount of the policy be reduced by

specified amount.

Token cut motion – Used to show specific grievance against the government. Also

states the amount of the demand be reduced by Rs. 100.

A money bill can only be introduced in parliament 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 LokSabha with his permission.]

56. Which parliamentary committee in India is normally chaired by a prominent member of the

Opposition?

a) Committee on Government Assurances b) Estimate Committee

c) Privileges Committee d) Public Accounts Committee

Ans D

[The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a committee of selected members of Parliament,

constituted by the Parliament, for the auditing of the expenditure of the Government of India.

The Pac is formed every year with a strength of not more than 22 members of which 15 are

from LokSabha and 7 from RajyaSabha. The term of office of the members is one year. The

chairman is appointed by the Speaker of LokSabha. Since 1967, the chairman of the

committee is selected from the opposition. Earlier, it was headed by a member of the ruling

party. Its chief function is to examine the audit report of Comptroller and Auditor General

(CAG) after it is laid in the Parliament. CAG assists the committee during the course of

investigation. None of the 22 members shall be a minister in the government.]

57. The Union Territories get representation in


c) Both Houses of Parliament d) None of these

Ans C

58. In the case of a deadlock between the two Houses of the Parliament, the joint sitting is

presided over by the

a) President b) Vice-President c) Speaker of LokSabha

d) Member of the LokSabha specifically elected for the purpose

Ans D

59. Which of the following is not a Standing Committee of the Parliament?




a) Committee on Public Accounts b) Estimates Committee

c) Committee on Welfare of SC’s and ST’s d) Committee on Public

Undertakings

Ans C

[Standing committee is a committee consisting or Members of Parliament. It is a Not a

permanent and regular committee which is constituted from time to time according to the

provisions of an Act of Parliament or Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. The work

done by the Parliament is not only voluminous but also of a complex nature, hence a great

deal of its work is carried out in these Parliamentary Committees.

Both Houses of Parliament, RajyaSabha and LokSabha, have similar Committee structures

with a few exceptions. Their appointment, terms of office, functions and procedures of

conducting business are broadly similar. These standing committees are elected or appointed

every year, or periodically by the Chairman of the RajyaSabha or the Speaker of the

LokSabha, or as a result of consultation between them.

There are two types of Parliamentary Committee, the Standing Committee and the Adhoc

Committee.

Classification

Standing committees are broadly classified as follows:

Standing Committee of RajyaSabha *Standing Committee of LokSabha *Departmentally

related Standing Committee under RajyaSabha *Departmentally related Standing Committee

under LokSabha

By Functions

Based on the functions, standing committees can be broadly classified in following

categories:

*Committee to Enquire *Committees to scrutinize and control *Committees relating to day –today business of the House *House Keeping Committees. ]

60. When can the Speaker exercise his right to vote in the House?

a) Whenever he desires b) Whenever the House desires

c) Only in the event of equality of votes d) Whenever his party directs

Ans C

[Though a member of the House, the Speaker does not vote in the House except on those rare

occasions when there is a tie at the end of a decision. Till date, the Speaker of the LokSabha

has not been called upon to exercise this unique casting vote. ]

61. Which of the following states has the largest representation in the LokSabha?

a) Bihar b) Maharashtra

c) Madhya Pradesh d) Uttar Pradesh

Ans D [Uttar Pradesh-80, Bihar-40, Madhya Pradesh – 29, Maharashtra – 48]

62. In the absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, who presides over the deliberations of

the LokSabha?

a) Prime Minister b) Home Minister c) Oldest member of the

House

d) One of the members of the House out of a panel of six persons nominated by the Speaker.

Ans D




63. Which of the following non-members of Parliament has the right of Parliament has the right

to address it?

a) Solicitor –General of India b) Chief Justice of India

c) Attorney General of India d) Chief Election Commissioner

Ans C

64. The Constitution of India does not mention the post of

a) The Deputy Chairman of the RajyaSabha b) The Deputy Prime Minister

c) The Deputy Speaker of the LokSabha d) The Deputy of the State Legislative

Assemblies

Ans B

65. Who administers the oath of office to the President?

a) Chief Justice of India b) Speaker of LokSabha

c) Prime Minister d) Vice President

Ans A

[The oath of the President is administered by the Chief Justice of India, and in his/her

absence, by the most senior judge of the Supreme court.]

66. Who among the following decides whether particular bill is a Money Bill or not?

a) President b) Speaker of LokSabha

c) Chairman of RajyaSabha d) Finance Minister

Ans b)

67. With reference to Indian Parliament, which one of the following is not correct?

a) The Appropriation Bill must be passed by both the Houses of Parliament before it can be

enacted into law.

b) No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India except under the

appropriation made by the Appropriation Act

c) Finance Bill is required for proposing new taxes but no another Bill/Act is required for

making changes in the rates of taxes which are already under operation

d) No money Bill can be introduced except on the recommendation of the President.

Ans C

68. Which one of the following is not explicitly stated in the Constitution of India but followed as

a convention?

a) The Finance Minister is to be a Member of the Lower House

b) The Prime Minister has to resign if he loses majority in the Lower House

c) All the parts of India are to be represented in the Councils of Ministers

d) In the event of both the’ Vice –President demitting office simultaneously before the end of

the tenure the Speaker of the Lower House of the Parliament will officiate as the President.

Ans B

69. Which one of the following is part of the electoral college for the President but does not

forum for his impeachment?


c) State Legislative Councils d) State Legislative Assemblies

Ans D




[The President is indirectly elected by the people through elected members of both the houses

of Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies in States and of New Delhi and Puducherry and

serves for a renewable term of five years.

The President may be removed before the expiry of the term through impeachment. A

President can be removed for violation of the Constitution of India; the process may start in

either of the two houses of the Parliament. The house initiates the process by leveling the

charges against the President. The charges are contained in a notice that has to be signed by a

least one quarter of the total members of that house. The notice is sent up to the President and

14 days later, it is taken up for consideration.

A resolution to impeach the President has to be passed by a two-third majority of the total

number of members of the originating house. It is then sent to the other house. The other

house investigates the charges that have been made. During this process, the President has the

right to defend oneself through an authority counsel. If the second house also approves the

charges made by special majority again, the President stands impeached and is deemed to

have vacated his/her office from the data when such a resolution stands passed. No president

has faced impeachment proceedings so the above provisions have never been used.

Supreme Court can remove the president for the electoral malpractices under Article 71(1) of

the constitution. Under Article 361 of the constitution, through president cannot be

summoned for questioning except on his voluntary willingness to testify in the court in

support of his controversial deeds, the unconstitutional decisions taken by the president would

be declared invalid by the courts. The case would be decided by the courts based on the facts

furnished by the union government for the president’s role. As clarified by the Supreme Court

in the case ‘Rameshwar Prasasd and ORs Vs Union of India &Anr on 24 January 2006’, though president cannot be prosecuted and imprisoned during his term of office, he can be

prosecuted after his term of office for the guilty committed during his term of presidency as

declared earlier by the courts. No president has resigned on impropriety to continue in office

for declaring and nullifying his unconstitutional decisions by the courts till now. No criminal

case at least on the grounds of disrespecting constitution is lodged till now against former

presidents to punish them for their unconstitutional acts though many decisions taken during

the term of presidency had been declared by Supreme Court as unconstitutional, mala fides,

void, ultra vires, etc. ]

70. If the Prime Minister of India belonged to the Upper House of Parliament

a) He will not be able to vote in his favour in the event of a no-confidence motion

b) He will not be able to speak on the budget in the Lower House

c) He can make statements only in the Upper House

d) He has to become a member of the Lower House within six months after being sworn in as

the Prime Minister

Ans A

71. Which of the following are/is stated in the Constitution of India?

1. The President shall not be a member of either House of Parliament

2. The Parliament shall consist of the President and two Houses

a) Neither 1 nor 2 b) Both 1and 2 c) 1 alone d) 2 alone

Ans B

[The President shall nor be a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of the

Legislature of any state and if any such member is elected President he shall be claimed to

have vacated his seat in that House on the date on which he enters upon office as President.]




72. The term of the LokSabha

a) Cannot be extended under any circumstances

b) Can be extended by six months at a time

c) Can be extended by one year at a time during the proclamation of emergency

d) Can be extended for two years at a time during the proclamation of emergency

Ans C

[If the LokSabha is dissolved before or after the declaration of a National Emergency, the

RajyaSabha becomes the sole Parliament. IT cannot be dissolved. This is a limitation on the

LokSabha. This is a limitation on the LokSabha. But there is a possibility that president can

exceed the term to not more than 1 year under the proclamation of emergency the

proclamation of emergency and the same would be lowered down to six-month if the said

proclamation ceases to operate.]

73. Consider the following statements:

1. The joint sitting of the two houses of the Parliament in India is sanctioned under Article

108 of the Constitution

2. The first joint sitting of LokSabha and RajyaSabha was held in the year 1961

3. The second joint sitting of the two Houses of Indian Parliament was held to pass the

Banking Service Commission (repeal) Bill

Which of these statements is correct?

a) 1and 2 b) 2and 3 c) 1and 3 d) 1,2and 3

Ans D

74. Which one of the following Bills must be passed by each house of the Indian Parliamentary

separately by special majority?

a) Ordinary Bill b) Money Bill

c) Finance Bill d) Constitution Amendment Bill

Ans D

Bills seeking to amend the Constitution are of three types:

(1) Bills that are passed by Parliament by simple majority; (2) Bills that have to be passed by

Parliament by the special majority prescribed in article 368(2)of the Constitution; and (3)

Bills that have to be passed by Parliament by the special majority as aforesaid and also to be

ratified by not less than one-half of the State Legislatures.

Bills that are not deemed as Constitution Amendment Bills

2. Bills for amendment of the following provisions of the constitution are passed by both

Houses of Parliament by a simple majority of members present and voting:

a) Admission or establishment of new State, formation of new States, and alternation of areas,

boundaries or names of existing States (articles 2, 3 and 4);

b) Creation or abolition of Legislative Councils in the States (Article 169); c) administration

and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes (para 7 of the Fifth Schedule); and d)

administration of Tribal Areas in the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram (para

21 of the Sixth Schedule).

3. These Bills are not deemed as Constitution Amendment Bills under article 368 of the

Constitution and therefore, these are not called by the title ‘Constitution Amendment Bills’. 4. Though normal legislative procedure holds good in respect of these Bills, Bills providing

for matters in sub paras a) and b) above, in addition, require respectively the recommendation

of the President for introduction and the prior adoption of necessary resolution by the State

Legislative Assembly concerned.




5. Such Bills are presented to the President for his assent under article 111 of the Constitution.

Constitution Amendment Bills

6. Bills seeking to amend all other provisions of the Constitutions including those enumerated

in the proviso to article 368(2) are called by the title ‘Constitution Amendment Bills’. These

Bills can be introduced in either House of a Parliament. If sponsored by a Private Member,

the Bill has to be examined in the first instance and recommended for introduction by the

Committee on private Members’ Bills and Resolution before it is included for introduction in

the List of Business. Motions for introduction of the Bills are decided by simple majority.

7. Constitution Amendment Bills are not treated as Money Bills or Financial Bill.

Accordingly President’s recommendation under articles 117 and 274 of the Constitution in

regard to these Bills is not asked for. However, if the recommendation is communicated by

the Minister, it is published in the Bill or in the Bulletin, as the case may be, for information

of members.

Special Majority

8. Constitution Amendment Bills have to be passed in each House of Parliament by a special

majority i.e. By a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less

than two-thirds of the members of the House “present and voting”. The expression “total

membership” means the total number of members comprising the House irrespective of

whether there are vacancies or absentees on any account. The expression “present and

voting”, means members who vote for “ayes” or for “nose”. Members who are present in the

House and vote ”abstention” either through the electronic vote recorder or on a voting slip or

in any other manner, are not treated as “present and voting”

9. Taking a strict interpretation of the Constitutional provision, the special majority prescribed

the special majority prescribed may be required only for voting at the third reading stage, but

by way of caution, the requirement of special majority has been provided for in the Rules of

Procedure and Conduct of Business in LokSabha in respect of all the effective stages of the

Bill i. e. motion that the Bill be taken into consideration, motion that the bill, as reported by

the Selector or Joint Committee, be taken into consideration, motion that the Bills, as passed

by RajyaSabha, be taken into consideration, motion for adoption of clause and schedules to

the Bill and finally for the adoption of the motion that the Bill be passed. Motion that the Bill

be circulated for eliciting opinion thereon or that the Bill be referred to a Select or Joint

Committee are passed by simple majority.

10. Whenever a motion has to be carried by a special majority, voting is always by a division.

The Speaker, while announcing the result of the voting, makes a special mention of the fact

that motion has been carried by the special majority.

11. Each clause or schedule is put to the vote of the House separately and carried by the

special majority. The Speaker may, however, with the concurrence of the House, put any

group of clauses or schedules together to the vote of the House in which case the result of the

voting shall be taken as applicable to each clause or schedule separately and so indicated in

the proceedings. However, if any member requests that any of the clauses or schedules be put

separately, the Speaker complies with such a request. The Short Title (clause 1), the Enacting

Formula and the Long Title of the Bill are adopted by simple majority. Where Short Title

(clause 1) contains provision regarding commencement of the Act, it is also adopted by the

special majority.

12. Amendments to clauses or schedules are decided by simple majority as in the case of any

other Bill.

Ratification by the State Legislatures

13. A Constitution Amendment Bill which seeks to make any change in articles relating to:




The election of the President, or

The extent of the executive power of the Union and the States, or *the Supreme Court

and the High courts, or

Distribution of legislative powers between the Union and States, or representation of

States in Parliament, or

The very procedure for amendment as laid down in article 368 of the Constitution,

After it is passed by the Houses of Parliament by the special majority, has also to be

ratified by Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States by resolutions to that

effect passed by them before the Bill making provision for such an amendment is

presented to the President for assent.

Joint Sitting

14. In case of any disagreement between the two Houses of Parliament on a Constitution

Amendment Bill, there cannot be a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament on the Bill as

article 368 of the Constitution requires each House to pass the Bill by the prescribed special

majority.

Assent to Constitution Amendment Bills

15. Constitution Amendment Bills passed by Parliament by the prescribed special majority

and, where necessary, ratified by the requisite number of State Legislatures are presented to

the President under article 368 of the Constitution under which the President is bound to give

his assent to such Bills.]

75. With reference to Indian Parliament, which one of the following is not correct?

a) The Appropriation bill must be passed by both the Houses of Parliament before it can be

enacted into law.

b) No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India except under the

appropriation made by the Appropriation Act.

c) Finance Bill is required for proposing new taxes but no another Bill/Act is required for

making changes in the rates of taxes which are already under operation.

d) No Money Bill can be introduced except on the recommendation of the President.

Ans A

Appropriation Bill

After the General Discussion on the Budget proposals and Voting on Demands for Grants

have been completed, Government introduces the Appropriation Bill. The Appropriation Bill

is intended to give authority to Government to incur expenditure from and out of the

Consolidated Fund of India. The procedure for passing this Bill is the same as in the case of

other money Bills.

Finance Bill

The Finance Bill seeking to give effect to the Government’s taxation proposals which is

introduced in LokSabha immediately after the presentation of the General Budget, is taken up

for consideration and passing after the Appropriation Bill is passed. However, certain

provisions in the Bill relating to levy and collection of fresh duties or variations in the

existing duties come into effect immediately on the expiry of the day on which the Bill is

introduced by virtue of a declaration under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act.

Parliament has to pass the Finance Bill within 75 days of its introduction.]

76. Which of the following is not correct?

a) The Supreme Command of the Defence Forces is vested in the President.




b) The Three Chiefs of Staff (Army, Navy and Air Force) are under the direct control of the

President.

c) The responsibility of National Defence rests with the Union Cabinet.

d) All important questions having a bearing on defence are decided by the Cabinet Committee

on Political Affairs under the Chairman of the Prime Minister.

Ans B

[The President is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. the President Armed

Forces. The President can declare war or conclude peace, on the advice of the Union Council

of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. All important treaties and contracts are made in

the President’s name. He also appoints the chiefs of the service branches of the armed forces.]

77. A bill which contains only provisions dealing with the imposition, repeal, remission,

alteration or regulation of taxes is called?

a) Locus Standi b) Money Bill c) Motion d) Ordinance

Ans B

78. What can be maximum gap between two sessions of Parliament in India?

a) 4 Months b) 5 Months c) 6 Months d) No rule like this

Ans C

[The period during which the House meets to conduct its business is called a session. The

Constitution empowers the president to summon each House at such intervals that there

should not be more than a six-month gap between the two sessions. Hence the Parliament

must meet at least twice a year. In India, the parliament conducts three Session each year:

*Budgt Session: In February to May (longest) *Monsoon session: In July to September

*Winter Session: In November to December (shortest)

79. The authority to declare war or peace under the Indian Constitution

a) The Prime Minister b) The President

c) The Parliament d) The Defence Minister

Ans B

80. Which of the following is the basis for the President’s impeachment?

a) Lose of confidence in the lokSabha b) Proven misbehaviour

c) Proven incapacity d) Violation of the constitution

Ans A

81. Who was the First President of India?

a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad b) Dr. S. Radhakrishan c) Dr. ZakirHussain d) Sri. v. v.

Giri

Ans A

[Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the First President of India from 26 Jan 1950-13 May 1962]

82. Which article is related to Special Address by the president?

a) Article 84 b) Article 85 c) Article 86 d) Article 87

Ans D

[Article 84 – Qualification for membership of Parliament. Article 85 – Sessions of

Parliament, prorogation and dissolution. Article 86 –Right of President to address and send

messages to Houses.]




83. Which article is related to Assent to Bills?


Ans B

[Article 98 – Secretariat of Parliament.

Article 112 – Annual Financial Statement. Article 114 – Appropriation Bills.]

84 The Council of states is a

a) House elected every six years b) House elected every five years

c) House which is permanent d) House which can be dissolved

Ans C

85. The LokSabha is more powerful than the RajyaSabha in

a) Electoral powers b) Emergency powers

c) Amending powers d) Financial powers

Ans D

86. Under which Article Conduct of Business of Parliament is mentioned—


Ans A

87. Under which Schedule of the Constitution every member of Parliament takes oath or

affirmation—

a) First b) Third c) Fifth d) Sixth

Ans B

88. Before Indian Independence, how was the Post of Deputy Speaker in the Central Legislative

Assembly called—

a) Vice President b) Vice Chairman c) Deputy President d) None of the

above

Ans C

89. Who was the last Deputy President of Central Legislative Assembly during the British

Period—

a) Sir Muhammad Yamin Khan b) Shri Abdul Matia Chaudhary

c) Sir Muhammad Yakub d) Shri R. R. ShannukhamChetty

Ans A

90. Who was the First LokSabha Speaker unanimously elected—

a) Hukam Singh b) Dr. G. S. Dhillon c) M. A. Ayyangar d) B. R.

Bhagat

Ans C

91. When was the First LokSabha dissolved—

a) 4th April 1957 b) 3

rd April 1957 c) 6

th April 1957 d) 8

th April 1957

Ans A

92. In the First LokSabha, was the Representation of Women—

a) 27 b) 34 c) 22 d) 39

Ans C




93. In the First LokSabha, how many seats were—

a) 500 b) 499 c) 544 d) 521

Ans B

94. Who nominates 12 members in the Council of State—

a) Chairman of RajyaSabha b) Deputy Chairman of RajyaSabha

c) President of India d) Prime Minister of India

Ans C

95. Members of RajyaSabha are elected by which members—

a) LokSabha b) Legislative Assembly c) Council of State d) Legislative

Council

Ans B

96. Which House shall not be a subject for dissolution—

a) LokSabha b) House of People c) Council of State d) State Legislature

Ans C

97. Under which article of the constitution, the executive power of the Union is vested in the

President?


Ans B

98. The budget is presented in the House of people by

a) The Prime Minister b) The President

c) The Finance Minister d) The Defence Minister

Ans C

99. The President is bound by the

a) Article 74(1) b) Article 74 (2) c) Article 74(3) d) Article 74 (4)

Ans A

100. The accountability or responsibility of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to the LokSabha is

a) Intermittent b) Indirect

c) At the time of election d) Direct, continuous, and collective

Ans D

101. The Vice-President of India can be removed from the office

a) By a resolution in the Council of states approved by LokSabha

b) By a resolution of LokSabha agreed to by the council of states

c) By a resolution adopted by the two House meeting in a joint session

d) Following the normal process of impeachment

Ans A

102. Which occupations was represented more in the Provisional Parliament—

a) Agriculturists b) Businessmen c) Teachers/Academicians d) Lawyers

Ans D

103. When did the first LokSabha function—




a) 1952-1956 b) 1953-1957 c) 1952-1957 d) None of the

above

Ans C

104. Who was the Minister of Home Affairs in the first LokSabha—

a) Jagjivan Ram b) C. D. Deshmukh

c) Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant d) Abdul Lalam Azad

Ans C

105. When was the title ’Speaker’ assumed in India—

a) 1947 b) 1948 c) 1949 d) 1946

Ans A

106. Under which act, the Bicameral Central Legislature was established during the British period

for the first time—

a) Government of India Act, 1938 b) The Indian Council Act 1861

c) Government of India Act 1919 d) Government of India Act 1935

Ans C

107. Who was the first Indian to be the President of Central Legislative Assembly—

a) M. A. Ayyanger b) B. R. Bhagat c) Dr. Balarm Jakhar d) Vithalbhai J.

Patel

Ans D

108. After the death of ShriG. V. Mavrlankar, who become the Speaker of the first LokSabha—

a) M. A. Ayyanagar b) K. S. Hegde c) N. Sanjiva Reddy d) None of the

above

Ans A

109. Which article of the Indian Constitution mentioned the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker

of the House of People—


Ans B

110. Who is the Head to transact the business of the LokSabha—

a) Prime Minister b) Members of LokSabha c) Speaker d) President

Ans C

111. Under which Article of the Constitution, the Council of State (RajyaSabha) has a Chairman

and Deputy Chairman


Ans C

112. How can member of Parliament resign from his seat—

a) By speaking in the House

b) By an announcement in the Press

c) By writing under his signature addressed to the Chairman or the Speaker

d) All the above

Ans C




113. Who foxes salaries and allowances for the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the RajyaSabha

and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the LokSabha—

a) LokSabha b) RajSabha

c) Members of the Parliament d) Parliament by law

Ans D

114. In which Schedule of the Constitution Salaries and allowances for the Chairman and Deputy

of RajyaSabha and Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the LokSabha are specified—

a) First b) Second c) Third d) Fourth

Ans B

115. The Council of Ministers is responsible to

a) President b) Parliament c) LokSabha d) RajyaSabha

Ans C

116. Who is the legal advisor of the Government of a State?

a) The Attorney General c) Advocate General

c) The Solicitor General d) The Comptroller – Auditor

Ans B

117. Who determines the salaries and allowances of the ministers in state?

a) President b) LokSabha c) State Legislature d)

RajyaSabha

Ans C

118. The impeachment of the President of India can be initiated in

a) Either house of Parliament b) A joint sitting of both House of

Parliament

c) The LokSabha alone d) The RajyaSabha alone

Ans A

119. Who was the first deputy Prime Minister of India?

a) Sardar Vallabhai Patel b) Nehru

c) B. R. Ambedkar d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Ans A

120. Which Article empowers the president to appoint two Anglo Indians to LokSabha?

a) Under article 330 b) Under article 331

c) Under article 332 d) Under Article 333

Ans B

121. The term of the Indian President is

a) 5 years b) 6 years c) 7 years d) 10 years

Ans A

122. RajyaSabha has equal powers with LokSabha

a) In the matters of creating a new All India Service b) In amending the

Constitution

c) In the removal of the Government d) In making cut motions

Ans B




124. RajyaSabha has exclusive power

a) In the matter of creating new All India Service b) In amending the

Constitution

c) In the removal of the Government d) In making cut motions

Ans A

125. Decision on question as to disqualifications of membership of either House if Parliament rests

with the

a) Election Commission b) The Chief justice of India

c) The Parliament d) President after consultation with the election

commission

Ans D

126. RajyaSabha has exclusive jurisdiction in

a) The creation and abolition of states

b) In amending the Constitution

c) In the removal of the Government

d) Auto rising Parliament to legislate on a subject in the State List

Ans D

127. According to the Constitution of India, a new All India Services can be instituted with the

initiative taken by

a) More than two – third of the states b) The interstate council

c) The RajyaSabha d) President

Ans C

128. The quorum requirement in the RajyaSabha

a) 25 b) 50 c) 100 d) 126

Ans A

129. The Chairman of RajyaSabha is elected by

a) Elected members of RajyaSabha b) Members of RajyaSabha

c) The elected members of RajyaSabha d) All the members of the

Parliament

Ans D

130. The LokSabha Secretariat comes under the supervision of the

a) Ministry of Home Affairs b) Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

c) Prime Minister’s office d) Speaker of LokSabha

Ans D

131. Which section of the society has to be represented in the LokSabha, nominated by the

President?

a) Scheduled Caste b) Scheduled tribe c) Anglo Indians d) Christians

Ans C

132. What is the period of LokSabha--

a) Four years b) Six years c) Five years d) Three years

Ans C




133. Under which Article of the Constitution of India, qualification for membership of Parliament

has been mentioned—

a) 88 b) 84 c) 89 d) 91

Ans B

134. What power the President may exercise from time to time in respect of Parliament—

a) Prorogue either of the House of Parliament. b) Dissolve House of the People

c) A and B d) None of the above

Ans C

135. What activities does the President perform in respect of both the Houses of the Parliament—

a) Time to time to summon each of Parliament b) Prorogue either of the House of the

Parliament

c) Dissolve the LokSabha d) All the above.

Ans D

136. Under whose advice, the President shall have the power of summoning, prorogation and

dissolution—

a) Home Minister b) Prime Minister

c) Council of Ministers d) Parliamentary Affairs Ministers

Ans C

137. Where does a money bill originate in India Parliament?

a) LokSabha b) RajyaSabha c) Both the House d) none of the above

Ans A

138. The Council of States can keep a money bill for a maximum period of

a) 15days b) 14days c) 13days d) 17days

Ans B

139. The report of Public Account committee is presented to

a) President of India b) Chief Justice of India c) Prime Minister d)

LokSabha

Ans D

140. Who decides whether a bill is a Money Bill or not

a) President of India b) Chief Justice of India

c) Prime Minister d) Speaker of LokSabha

Ans D

141. The Ordinance refers to

a) The executive orders passed by the Parliament

b) The executive order issued by the President

c) The decision made by the Supreme Court

d) The ruling given by the Speaker of LokSabha

Ans B

142. Whom the RajyaSabha has the power for removal—

a) Speaker b) Deputy Speaker




c) Council of President d) Deputy Chairman

Ans D

143. What is the period laid down by the Constitution before the proposal for removal of Speaker

and Deputy Speaker of LokSabha can be taken up by a resolution in the LokSabha—

a) 15 days b) 18 days c) 16 days d) 14days

Ans D

144. InLokSabha, who cannot preside in the House while a Resolution for Removal from his office

is under consideration—

a) Speaker b) Deputy Speaker c) A and B d) None of the above

Ans C

145. Under the constitution of India who are the ultimate Sovereign?

a) Indian people b) Prime Minister of India

c) President of India d) All elected leaders of India

Ans A

146. He Speaker can ask a member of the house to stop speaking and let another member speak.

This is known as?

a) Crossing the floor b) Yielding the floor

c) Obeying the rule d) Rotating the floor

Ans B

147. With reference to Union Government, consider the following statements:

1. The Constitution of India provides that all Cabinet Ministers shall be compulsorily the

sitting members of LokSabha only.

2. The Union Secretariat operates under the direction of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans D

148. Which Constitutional Article deals with ‘Representation of the Anglo-Indian Community’ with House of the People—


Ans B

149. In which State a separate district has been reserved for Scheduled Tribes—

a) Assam b) Andhra Pradesh c) Karnataka d) Kerala

Ans A

150. Which Constitutional Article deals with representation of the Anglo-Indian Community in the

Legislative Assembly—


Ans D

151. The system of proportional representation is used in the election of

a) The President b) speaker of LokSabha

c) Members of LokSabha d) Members of State Assembly




Ans A

152. What is the minimum age required to be the President of India?


Ans A

153. After how many years, one third of the members of the RajyaSabha retire—


Ans D

154. Under which Constitutional subject in operation, life of LokSabha can be extended by one

year—

a) Proclamation of Emergency

b) Proclamation of President Rule in the State

c) Proclamation of Amendment to the Constitution

d) None of the above

Ans A)

155. Within which period the President has to summon session of the Parliament—

a) Six Months b) Five Months c) Four Months d) Three Months

Ans A

156. Under which Supreme Court Judgement, action of the President to summon, prorogue and

dissolve either of the Houses of the Parliament shall be unconstitutional if acted without

advice of Council of Ministers—

a) Indira Gandhi vs. Raj Narain A. I. R. 1975 S. C. 2299

b) Rao vs. Indira Gandhi A. I. R. 1971 S. C. 1002

c) Anandan vs. Chief Secretary, A. I. R. 1966 S. C. 657

d) None of the above

Ans B

157. In the event of dissolution of LokSabha, who need not resign or get dismissed immediately—

a) Prime Minister b) Home Minister

c) Union Council of Ministers d) None of the above

Ans C

158. Under which Constitutional Article, President has the right to address and send message to the

Parliament—

a) 84 b) 83 c) 85 d) 86

Ans D

159. Under which constitutional Article, President has the right for Special Address to the

Parliament-

a) 87 b) 88 c) 89 d) 90

Ans A

160. Which Article of the Constitution of India mentioned the posts of the Chairman and Deputy

Chairman of RajyaSabha —

a) 90 b) 89 c) 93 d) 94

Ans B




161. Under which Article Salaries and allowances of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman and

Deputy Chairman of RajyaSabha and Speaker and Deputy Speaker of LokSabha are

mentioned—

a) 97 b) 96 c) 95 d) 94

Ans A

162. Which Article mentions the conduct of business of the Houses of Parliament —

a) 99 b) 100 c) a and b d) None of the above

Ans C

163. Who appoints each member of either of the Houses of the Parliament after notification is

received from the Election Commission —

a) President b) Speaker of LokSabha

c) Chairman of RajyaSabha d) Prime Minister

Ans A

164. What is the Quorum laid down to constitute meeting of either of the Houses of Parliament--

a) One-tenth of the total number of members of that House

b) One-fourth of the total number of members of that House

c) One-fifth of the total number of members of that House

d) One-half of the total number of members of that House

Ans A

165. Which Article mentions disqualification of members in the Parliament—

a) Article 101 to Article 104 b) Article 101 to Articles 105

c) Article 102 to Article 106 d) Article 106 to Article 110

Ans A

166. LokSabha has the supremacy in which matter—

a) Railway Budget b) Defence Budget c) Foreign affairs d) Financial Bill

Ans D

167. Which session of the year, President addresses both the Houses of Parliament—

a) First session (Budget) b) Second session (Monsoon)

c) Third session (Winter) d) None of the above

Ans A

168. What is the meaning of the adjournment motion under Parliamentary procedure—

a) Member draws attention regarding important subject matter

b) Member wants the House to discuss his subject-matter

c) Member wants to raise complicated issue

d) Member wants to draw the attention of the House to way recent matter of urgent public

importance having serious consequences.

Ans D

169. Who has the power to accept adjournment in the House—

a) Prime Minister b) Home Minister




c) Speaker in the lokSabha Chairman in the RajyaSabha d) All the above

Ans C

170. Which authority in the Parliament has the right to adjourn the House—

a) Speaker of LokSabha and Chairman of RajyaSabha b) President

c) Parliamentary Affairs Minster d) Prime Minister

Ans A

171. In the Parliament, every Bill has to pass through which stages of Reading before it becomes

act—

a) First Reading b) Second Reading c) Third Reading d) All the above

Ans D

172. When a Bill is passed by the Parliament and the President, what is the status of the name--

a) Law b) Bill approved

c) Bill exercised for administration d) Government procedure

Ans A

173. When does the President assent the Bill—

a) LokSabha passes the Bill b) RajyaSabha passes the Bill

c) LokSabha and RajyaSabha both passed the Bill d) None of the above

Ans C

174. In the Parliament, what is the meaning of the Government Bill—

a) Bill presented by Ruling Party member

b) Bill approved by the Government

c) Only the Prime Minister Presents the Bill

d) A Bill introduced by any Minister in either of the Houses of the Parliament

Ans D

175. Which Bill President can neither nor withhold his assent—

a) Defence Bill b) Money Bill

c) Law Bill d) Financial Account Committee Bill

Ans B

176. Standing Committees in LokSabha are—

a) Business Advisory Committee and Committee of Privileges

b) Committee on Absence of Members from the sitting of the House and Committee on

Estimates

c) Committee on Government assurances and Committee on papers laid on the Table

d) All the above

Ans D

177. Financial Committees in LokSabha are—

a) Committee on Estimates b) Public Accounts Committee

c) Public Under taking Committee d) All the above

Ans D




178. Ad hoc Committees in Parliament are---

a) Committee on Draft Five Year Plan, etc.

b) Committee in the conduct of certain members during the President Address

c) Select or joint Committee on Bills d) All the above

Ans D

179. In what way our Indian Parliament is not Sovereign or Supreme with respect to the

Constitution—

a) In the Preamble, Constitution of India defines people of India as Sovereign

b) Written Constitution of India

c) Separation of Power and Checks and Baleens between the three constitutional organ

d) All the above

Ans D

180. Under which constitutional article, newspapers do not have the right to publish report of the

proceedings of a secret session of either of the Houses of Parliament or Legislative Assembly

and Legislative Council—

a) 361 b) 361A c) 361B d) 361C

Ans B

181. Representative of Union territories in the Council of State shall be chosen in such a manner as

decided by—

a) AS prescribed by law in the Assembly b) AS prescribed by law by State

c) AS prescribed by law by the Union d) AS prescribed by law in the

Parliament

Ans D

182. How many members represented Union territories in LokSabha—

a) 20 b) 21 c) 22 d) 23

Ans A

183. For a Election to LokSabha, each State shall be divided into—

a) Constituencies b) Territorial Constituencies

c) Union Constituencies d) State Constituencies

Ans B

184. How many members are fixed for LokSabha—

a) 501 b) 551 c) 530 d) 506

Ans C

185. In which Article of the Constitution of India, duration of House of Parliament has been

mentioned—

a) 83 b) 84 c) 85 d) 88

Ans A

186. Which Constitutional Article lays down the reservation seats for Scheduled Castes and

Scheduled Tribes in the LokSabha—


Ans A




187. Which Constitutional Amendment lays down 50 years for reservation of seats for SC and ST

in the House of People and State Legislative Assembly—

a) 62nd

Amendment Act 1989 b) 44th Amendment Act 1928

c) 45th Amendment Act 1980 d) None of the above

Ans A

chapter no- 7 parliamentary system and central government ... · b) dr. zakirhussain v. v. giri c)...

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