UPSC CSE Prelims
Parliamentary Procedures Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Statement 1 — Incorrect. Unstarred questions require a written answer — NOT oral. The written reply is deemed to be laid on the Table of the House by the concerned Minister.

Statement 2 — Incorrect. Starred questions (marked with *) require an oral answer on the floor of the House — NOT written.

Statement 3 — Correct. Since unstarred questions are answered in writing, no supplementary (follow-up) questions can be asked on them. Supplementary questions can only be asked after oral replies to:

• Starred questions
• Short Notice Questions

Quick Reference Table:

Key Trick: Statements 1 and 2 are exact swaps of each other — a classic UPSC reversal trap.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 1 and 2

When the Lok Sabha is dissolved, bills pending in the Lok Sabha and bills passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha automatically lapse. However, a bill in respect of which the President has notified his intention to summon a joint sitting does not lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, as the joint sitting mechanism continues to remain valid.

✅ Statement 1 (Bill pending in Lok Sabha) – Correct: A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses automatically upon the dissolution of the Lok Sabha as the dissolution terminates all pending legislative business in that House.

✅ Statement 2 (Bill passed by Lok Sabha, pending in Rajya Sabha) – Correct: A bill passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha also lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, as it is considered a bill originating from the Lok Sabha.

❌ Statement 3 (Bill notified for joint sitting) – Incorrect: A bill in respect of which the President has notified his intention to summon the Houses to a joint sitting does not lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and can be taken up in the joint sitting after the new Lok Sabha is constituted.

📝 Short Notes: Lapsing of Bills in Parliament

• Bills pending in Lok Sabha: All bills pending in the Lok Sabha lapse upon its dissolution, except those already passed and sent to the Rajya Sabha or those pending President's assent.
• Bills passed by Lok Sabha: Bills passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
• Bills pending in Rajya Sabha only: Bills originating and pending only in the Rajya Sabha do not lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, as the Rajya Sabha is a permanent House.
• Bills notified for joint sitting: Bills in respect of which the President has notified his intention to summon a joint sitting do not lapse and can be taken up in the joint sitting after reconstitution of the Lok Sabha.
• Bills pending President's assent: Bills that have been passed by both Houses and are pending the President's assent do not lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
• Constitutional Bills: Bills pending at any stage, including constitutional amendment bills, follow the same lapsing rules as ordinary bills.
• Rajya Sabha as permanent House: The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is never dissolved, hence bills originating and remaining only in it do not lapse due to Lok Sabha's dissolution.

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.

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.

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.

Detailed Explanation:

Adjournment Motion is an extraordinary parliamentary device used in the Lok Sabha only (not in Rajya Sabha) to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance. It interrupts the normal business of the House and is considered a tool of censure against the government, requiring support of at least 50 members for admission.

❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: Question Hour and other devices are used for collecting information from ministers, not adjournment motion.

❌ Option 3 – Incorrect: This describes Cut Motion, which is used to reduce specific amounts in demand for grants during Budget discussion.

❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: This describes Adjournment of the House, a power exercised by the Presiding Officer to suspend sitting due to disorder or lack of quorum, not a motion moved by members.