10. A proposal to reduce a Demand for Grants to ₹1 is called which cut motion?
[JPSC Civil Services Prelims, 2015]
(A) Economy cut
(B) Policy cut
(C) Basic cut
(D) Token cut
Answer: (B) Policy cut
Explanation: A Policy Cut Motion seeks to reduce a Demand for Grants to one rupee to register disapproval of the underlying policy. An Economy Cut seeks a specified saving; a Token Cut expresses a particular grievance through a nominal reduction.
9. The Parliament of India consists of which combination?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims, 10 May 2015]
(A) Only Lok Sabha
(B) Only Rajya Sabha
(C) Only Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
(D) Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and President
Answer: (D) Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and President
Explanation: Under Article 79, Parliament comprises the President and its two Houses. Presidential assent is generally necessary for a Bill to become law, explaining the President’s constitutional place in Parliament even without membership of either chamber.
8. Which Rajya Sabha statements are correct:
(1) it cannot be dissolved;
(2) it has a five-year term;
(3) one-third members retire every two years;
(4) minimum membership age is twenty-five?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims, 2014]
(A) 1, 2 and 3
(B) 2, 3 and 4
(C) 1 and 3 only
(D) 2 and 4 only
Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Rajya Sabha is permanent, and one-third of its members ordinarily retire every two years. Individual members serve six-year terms, and candidates must be at least thirty. Therefore, statements about a five-year House term and age twenty-five are incorrect.
7. About PAC:
(1) it has up to twenty-five Lok Sabha members;
(2) it checks appropriation and finance accounts;
(3) it examines CAG reports.
[UPSC CSE Prelims, GS Paper I, 2013]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: The Public Accounts Committee scrutinises appropriation and finance accounts and CAG audit reports. It has twenty-two members, including fifteen Lok Sabha and seven Rajya Sabha members, not twenty-five Lok Sabha members. Its work strengthens post-expenditure financial accountability.
6. Who constitutes the Indian Parliament?
[UPPSC PCS Prelims, 2012]
(A) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha alone
(B) Both Houses and Prime Minister
(C) Speaker and Lok Sabha
(D) President and both Houses
Answer: (D) President and both Houses
Explanation: Article 79 expressly names the President, Council of States and House of the People. The Prime Minister belongs to the executive and normally sits in one parliamentary House, but is not independently listed as a constituent part of Parliament.
5. Which statement about a Lok Sabha no-confidence motion is incorrect?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, GS Paper I, 2004]
(A) It must state the grounds on which it is based
(B) It need not meet separate stated grounds of admissibility
(C) Once admitted, it must be considered within ten days
(D) Rajya Sabha cannot entertain it
Answer: (A) It must state the grounds on which it is based
Explanation: A no-confidence motion need not set out reasons. Once it secures the requisite leave, the motion is discussed within the prescribed period. Only Lok Sabha can test ministerial confidence because the Union Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to it.
4. Which claim about parliamentary financial legislation is incorrect?
[UPSC CSE Prelims, GS Paper I, 2004]
(A) An Appropriation Bill must be formally passed by both Houses before it becomes law
(B) Withdrawal from Consolidated Fund requires appropriation by law
(C) Existing tax rates can be changed under powers granted by existing tax laws without a fresh Act
(D) A Money Bill requires presidential recommendation for introduction
Answer: (A) An Appropriation Bill must be formally passed by both Houses before it becomes law
Explanation: An Appropriation Bill is a Money Bill: Rajya Sabha may recommend changes within fourteen days, but Lok Sabha can reject them and the Bill may be deemed passed without Rajya Sabha’s approval. Thus formal passage by both Houses is not compulsory.
3. Consider:
(1) Speaker may adjourn Lok Sabha sine die, while President summons after prorogation;
(2) Lok Sabha normally expires after five years;
(3) Speaker continues until just before the next House meets.
[UPSC CSE Prelims, GS Paper I, 2004]
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 2 and 3
(C) 1 and 3
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: All three propositions are correct. The Speaker controls adjournment, while presidential action concerns summoning and prorogation. Lok Sabha ordinarily ends after five years, but the Speaker continues until immediately before the first meeting of the newly elected House.
2. Check:
(1) PAC and Public Undertakings Committees include Rajya Sabha members, Estimates only Lok Sabha;
(2) Parliamentary Affairs Ministry works under Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs;
(3) that ministry nominates MPs to all government committees.
[UPSC CSE Prelims, GS Paper I, 2003]
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 2 and 3
(C) 1 and 3
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) 1 and 2
Explanation: The first two statements describe committee representation and coordination of government parliamentary business correctly. The third overstates the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry’s nomination function. Nominations to different bodies depend on their respective rules, appointing authorities and statutory arrangements.
1. What is the minimum constitutional age for election to Lok Sabha?
[45th BPSC Prelims, 2002]
(A) 18 years
(B) 21 years
(C) 25 years
(D) None of these
Answer: (C) 25 years
Explanation: Article 84(b) requires a Lok Sabha candidate to be at least twenty-five years old. The minimum age for Rajya Sabha is thirty. The voting age is eighteen, but the right to vote does not by itself satisfy the higher eligibility age for parliamentary membership.
