UPSC CSE Prelims
Parliament Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Parliament
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With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc. conferred by the Constitution or delegated by the Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — Committee on Subordinate Legislation
The Committee on Subordinate Legislation (CSL) is specifically mandated to scrutinize and report to Parliament whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc., conferred by the Constitution or delegated by Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation. This committee ensures that the executive does not exceed its delegated authority and that all subordinate legislation conforms to the parent Act and constitutional provisions.
Why other options are incorrect:
❌ Option 1 – Committee on Government Assurances: This committee tracks the implementation of assurances, promises, and undertakings given by Ministers in Parliament, not subordinate legislation.
❌ Option 3 – Rules Committee: This committee is concerned with framing and amending rules for regulating the procedure and conduct of business in the House itself.
❌ Option 4 – Business Advisory Committee: This committee allocates time for discussion of government and other business in the House and does not scrutinize delegated legislation.
📝 Short Notes: Parliamentary Committees
| Committee | Primary Function |
|---|---|
| Committee on Subordinate Legislation | Scrutinizes whether delegated powers (to make rules, regulations, by-laws) are exercised properly by the Executive within constitutional and statutory limits |
| Committee on Government Assurances | Monitors implementation of assurances, promises, and undertakings given by Ministers in Parliament |
| Rules Committee | Frames and amends rules regulating the procedure and conduct of business in the House |
| Business Advisory Committee | Allocates time for discussion of legislative and other business in the House |
| Committee on Petitions | Examines petitions and representations from citizens on matters of general public interest |
Regarding Money Bill, which of the following statements is not correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — A Money Bill is concerned with the appropriation of money out of the Contingency Fund of India.
This statement is incorrect because the Contingency Fund of India, established under Article 267, is at the disposal of the President to meet unforeseen expenditures. Withdrawals from this fund are not governed by a Money Bill but are later regularized through an Appropriation Bill passed by Parliament.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Article 110(1)(a) explicitly states that a Money Bill contains provisions relating to imposition, abolition, remission, alteration, or regulation of any tax.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Article 110(1)(c) provides that a Money Bill may include provisions regarding the custody of the Consolidated Fund of India or the Contingency Fund of India.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Appropriation of money from the Contingency Fund is not governed by a Money Bill; it is under the President's disposal and later regularized through an Appropriation Bill.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Article 110(1)(d) states that provisions regarding borrowing of money or giving of guarantees by the Government of India fall within the scope of a Money Bill.
📝 Short Notes: Money Bill (Article 110)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Provision | Article 110 of the Indian Constitution defines Money Bills |
| Scope (Article 110(1)) | (a) Imposition, abolition, remission, alteration, or regulation of any tax (b) Regulation of borrowing of money or giving of guarantees by Government of India (c) Custody of Consolidated Fund/Contingency Fund of India (d) Appropriation of moneys out of Consolidated Fund of India (e) Declaration of expenditure as charged on Consolidated Fund (f) Receipt of money on account of Consolidated Fund/Public Account (g) Any matter incidental to these matters |
| Certification | Speaker of Lok Sabha certifies whether a bill is a Money Bill or not (final and conclusive) |
| Introduction | Can only be introduced in Lok Sabha (not in Rajya Sabha) |
| Rajya Sabha's Role | Can only make recommendations within 14 days; Lok Sabha may accept or reject them |
| President's Assent | Required, but President cannot withhold assent (unlike ordinary bills) |
| Contingency Fund | Established under Article 267; at President's disposal for unforeseen expenditure; withdrawals regularized later by Appropriation Bill (not Money Bill) |
Consider the following statements :
- In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra Party.
- In the Lok Sabha, a "Leader of the Opposition" was recognised for the first time in 1969.
- In the Lok Sabha, if a party does not have a minimum of 75 members, its leader cannot be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The position of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha was formally recognized for the first time in 1969. The other two statements contain factual errors regarding the largest opposition party in the first Lok Sabha and the minimum strength required for recognition as Leader of the Opposition.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: In the first Lok Sabha (1952), the single largest opposition party was the Communist Party of India (CPI) with 16 seats, not the Swatantra Party (which was formed only in 1959).
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha was formally recognized for the first time in 1969 when the post was accorded statutory recognition under the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977 (with retrospective effect from 1969).
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The minimum requirement for recognition as Leader of the Opposition is not 75 members but 10% of the total strength of the House, which amounts to 55 members (10% of 545) in the current Lok Sabha.
📝 Short Notes: Leader of the Opposition
- Statutory Recognition: The post of Leader of the Opposition was given statutory recognition through the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977.
- First Recognition (Lok Sabha): Ram Subhag Singh of Congress (O) was the first formally recognized Leader of the Opposition in 1969.
- Minimum Strength Requirement: A party must have at least 10% of the total membership of the House (currently 55 members in Lok Sabha) for its leader to be recognized as Leader of the Opposition.
- Constitutional Status: Though not mentioned in the Constitution, the Leader of the Opposition holds a crucial position and is consulted in appointments like CEC, CVC, Lokpal, etc.
- Salary and Allowances: The Leader of the Opposition receives a salary and allowances equivalent to that of a Cabinet Minister.
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The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of Ministers through -
- Adjournment motion
- Question hour
- Supplementary questions
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 3
The Parliament of India exercises control over the Council of Ministers through multiple mechanisms to ensure executive accountability. All three instruments mentioned—Adjournment Motion, Question Hour, and Supplementary Questions—are important parliamentary tools for scrutinizing and controlling the executive.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Adjournment Motion allows discussion on urgent matters of public importance and can be used to censure the government, thereby exercising control over the Council of Ministers.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Question Hour is a daily mechanism during which MPs question ministers on policies and administrative actions, ensuring accountability and transparency in governance.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Supplementary Questions follow the initial answer during Question Hour, allowing MPs to probe deeper and seek clarifications, thereby enhancing parliamentary control over ministerial functioning.
With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements:
- A private member’s bill is a bill presented by a Member of Parliament who is not elected but only nominated by the President of India.
- Recently, a private member’s bill has been passed in the Parliament of India for the first time in its history.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Neither 1 nor 2
Both statements about private member's bills in the Indian Parliament are incorrect. A private member's bill is introduced by any MP who is not a minister, regardless of whether they are elected or nominated, not specifically by nominated members only. Additionally, private member's bills have been passed in Parliament's history, with 14 such bills enacted since 1952, though the last one was passed in 1970.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: A private member's bill can be presented by any MP (elected or nominated) who is not a minister, not just by nominated members.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Private member's bills have been passed in Parliament's history; 14 such bills were enacted between 1952 and 1970, with the last one being the Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Bill, 1970.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation.
- A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: A bill pending in the Lok Sabha does not lapse on prorogation. Prorogation is merely the end of a parliamentary session, not the dissolution of the House. All pending bills, motions, and other business remain intact and continue in the next session from where they were left.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha that has not been passed by the Lok Sabha does not lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body (never dissolved), so bills originating or pending there continue regardless of Lok Sabha dissolution. Only bills pending in the Lok Sabha itself lapse upon its dissolution.
When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by:
Detailed Explanation:
Article 108 of the Constitution provides that when a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both Houses, it must be passed by a simple majority of members present and voting.
The joint sitting is presided over by the Speaker of Lok Sabha, and the combined vote of both Houses determines the outcome, making it easier for the Lok Sabha to prevail due to its larger numerical strength.
With reference to the Union Government consider the following statements.
- The Department of Revenue is responsible for the preparation of Union Budget that is presented to the parliament
- No amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without the authorization of Parliament of India.
- All the disbursements made from Public Account also need Authorization from the Parliament of India.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Department of Economic Affairs (under Ministry of Finance), not the Department of Revenue, prepares the Union Budget presented to Parliament.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Article 114 of the Constitution mandates that no money can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without parliamentary authorization through the Appropriation Act.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Public Account transactions (provident funds, judicial deposits, remittances) are operated by executive action and do not require parliamentary appropriation, functioning like banking transactions.
Consider the following statements:
- The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill.
- The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on the Demands for Grants.
- The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Under Article 109, the Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a Money Bill; it can only return it with recommendations within 14 days, which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on Demands for Grants as per Article 113; this is the exclusive privilege of the Lok Sabha.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Rajya Sabha can discuss the Annual Financial Statement (Budget) under Article 112, though it cannot vote on the demands for grants.
Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India:
- There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India.
- A Motion of No-Confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The Constitution of India does not explicitly mention the No-Confidence Motion; it is provided under Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: A No-Confidence Motion can be moved only in the Lok Sabha (not in Rajya Sabha) as the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha under Article 75(3). Requires support of at least 50 members to be admitted.
Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?
Detailed Explanation:
Committee on Estimates is the largest parliamentary committee with 30 members, all elected annually from the Lok Sabha only.
Committee on Public Accounts and Committee on Public Undertakings have 22 members each (15 from Lok Sabha + 7 from Rajya Sabha), while Committee on Petitions has 15 members in Lok Sabha.
Consider the following statements: The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts:
- Consists of not more than 25 Members of the Lok Sabha
- Scrutinizes the appropriation and finance accounts of the Government
- Examines the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) consists of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha), not 25. Members are elected annually by proportional representation using the single transferable vote.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: PAC scrutinizes the Appropriation Accounts and Finance Accounts of the Government to ensure public funds are spent legally and for intended purposes.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: PAC examines the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), who acts as the 'guide, philosopher, and friend' during PAC deliberations.
Consider the following statements:
- The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not the members of that House.
- While the nominated members of the two Houses of the Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Vice-President serves as the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (under Article 89) and is not a member of the House. However, the Deputy Chairman is elected from among the members of Rajya Sabha, making him/her a member of the House.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Electoral College for President (under Article 54) consists of only elected members of Parliament and State Legislatures, excluding nominated members. The Electoral College for Vice-President (under Article 66) includes all members of both Houses — both elected and nominated — giving nominated MPs voting rights in Vice-Presidential elections.
What will follow if a Money Bill is substantially amended by the Rajya Sabha?
Detailed Explanation:
Article 109 of the Constitution governs the procedure for Money Bills in Parliament.
When the Rajya Sabha receives a Money Bill, it can only recommend amendments within 14 days but has no power to reject or substantially amend it.
The Lok Sabha has absolute discretion to accept or reject any recommendations made by the Rajya Sabha.
If the Lok Sabha rejects the recommendations, the Bill is deemed passed in its original form by both Houses.
There is no provision for joint sitting or sending the Bill back for reconsideration in case of Money Bills.
Regarding the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker, consider the following statements:
- He/She holds the office during the pleasure of the President.
- He/She need not be a member of the House at the time of his/her election but has to become a member of the House within six months from the date of his/her election.
- If he/she intends to resign, the letter of his/her resignation has to be addressed to the Deputy Speaker.
Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Speaker does not hold office during the pleasure of the President. He/she is elected by the Lok Sabha and can be removed only by a resolution passed by a majority of all then members of the House. The Speaker continues in office even after dissolution of the Lok Sabha until immediately before the first meeting of the new House.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Under Article 93, the Speaker must be a member of the Lok Sabha at the time of election. The six-month membership rule applies to Ministers (Article 75), not to the Speaker or Deputy Speaker.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: As per Article 94(b), the Speaker resigns by writing under his/her hand addressed to the Deputy Speaker. Similarly, the Deputy Speaker's resignation is addressed to the Speaker.