Parliament — Practice Questions
UPSC Prelims-pattern practice questions on Parliament — the Speaker, Rajya Sabha powers, quorum, charged expenditure and the Public Accounts Committee.
Questions
These are original UPSC-pattern practice questions. Attempt each one before revealing the answer.
Consider the following statements about the Speaker of the Lok Sabha:
- The Speaker vacates office as soon as the Lok Sabha is dissolved.
- The Speaker addresses the letter of resignation to the Deputy Speaker.
- The Speaker presides over a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution
Statement 1 is incorrect — the Speaker continues until immediately before the first meeting of the new Lok Sabha. Statement 2 is correct — resignation goes to the Deputy Speaker. Statement 3 is correct — Article 118(4).
Answer: B
How many of the following are special powers of the Rajya Sabha, not shared by the Lok Sabha?
- Authorising Parliament to make laws on a State List subject in the national interest
- Authorising the creation of a new All-India Service
- Initiating a resolution for the removal of the Vice-President
- Passing a motion of no-confidence in the Council of Ministers
Solution
The Rajya Sabha alone can pass resolutions under Article 249 (State List in the national interest) and Article 312 (new All-India Services), and a resolution to remove the Vice-President can be initiated only in the Rajya Sabha (Article 67(b)). A no-confidence motion is a Lok Sabha device. So three.
Answer: C
The quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament is:
Solution
Article 100(3): one-tenth of the total number of members of the House, including the presiding officer.
Answer: D
Which of the following are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India?
- Salaries and allowances of the judges of the Supreme Court
- Salary of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India
- Salaries of Union ministers
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Solution
Supreme Court judges’ salaries and allowances and the CAG’s salary are charged under Article 112(3) — they are discussed but not voted. Ministers’ salaries are voted expenditure.
Answer: A
Consider the following statements about the Public Accounts Committee:
- It examines the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
- All its members are drawn from the Lok Sabha.
- A minister can be elected as a member of the Committee.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect — the PAC has 22 members (15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha); the Estimates Committee is the all–Lok Sabha body. Statement 3 is incorrect — ministers cannot be members.
Answer: B
Mains
Parliament’s role as a deliberative body has come under strain. Examine the causes and suggest reforms to restore its effectiveness.
Solution
Introduction: Parliament is meant to legislate after deliberation, scrutinise the budget, and hold the executive accountable every day. Concerns have grown that these functions are being diluted.
Body:
- Causes:
- Frequent disruptions and adjournments that consume Question Hour.
- Bills passed with limited debate and fewer referrals to committees.
- Use of the Money Bill route and ordinances.
- Strict party whips under the anti-defection law, limiting independent judgement.
- Fewer sitting days and the executive’s control over the agenda.
- Reforms:
- A minimum number of sitting days; protected time for Question Hour and Opposition business.
- Mandatory committee scrutiny for most Bills; pre-legislative consultation.
- Narrowing the anti-defection law to confidence and money votes.
- Research support for MPs; publication of committee hearings.
- Strengthening the impartiality of presiding officers.
Conclusion: Parliament’s legitimacy rests not on the number of laws passed but on the quality of deliberation behind them; procedural reform and political consensus must go together.