Q30. Consider:
1. The winning Lok Sabha candidate must secure at least 50% of votes polled.
2. The Constitution reserves Speaker for the ruling party and Deputy Speaker for the opposition.
Which is correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2017)]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (D) Neither
Explanation: India uses first-past-the-post elections, so a candidate with the highest votes can win without a majority. The Constitution does not reserve the Speaker or Deputy Speaker positions by party; such allocations depend on convention and political agreement.
Q29. What is the initial hour of a regular parliamentary sitting called?
[SSC MTS (4 October 2017)]
(A) Zero Hour
(B) Question Hour
(C) Calling Attention Hour
(D) Budget Hour
Answer: (B) Question Hour
Explanation: Question Hour ordinarily starts a parliamentary sitting under scheduled rules. MPs pose questions to ministers, and starred questions permit oral replies and supplementaries. Zero Hour is a separate practice immediately following Question Hour.
Q28. What are the two broad classes of parliamentary committees?
[SSC MTS (23 October 2017)]
(A) Standing and ad hoc
(B) Central and State
(C) Judicial and executive
(D) Permanent and provincial
Answer: (A) Standing and ad hoc
Explanation: Parliamentary committees are broadly classified as standing committees, which continue as regular institutional bodies, and ad hoc committees, created for specific tasks and ordinarily dissolved after completing their assigned work.
Q27. Which House was constituted for the first time in 1952 and is known as the Council of States?
[UPPSC Prelims (2017)]
(A) Lok Sabha
(B) Rajya Sabha
(C) Legislative Council
(D) Constituent Assembly
Answer: (B) Rajya Sabha
Explanation: Rajya Sabha was first constituted in 1952 as the Council of States. Unlike Lok Sabha, its membership renews in phases instead of undergoing dissolution, providing a continuing legislative institution at the Union level.
Q26. Consider:
1. MPs enjoy constitutionally protected freedom of speech in Parliament.
2. The power to amend the Constitution is vested in Parliament.
Which statements are correct?
[UPSC NDA II (2016)]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (C) Both
Explanation: Article 105 safeguards parliamentary freedom of speech within constitutional rules and procedure. Article 368 vests constitutional amendment power in Parliament, subject to prescribed majorities, possible State ratification and the judicially enforced basic structure limitation.
Q25. Consider:
1. Prorogation causes any Bill pending in Lok Sabha to lapse.
2. A Bill pending in Rajya Sabha and not yet passed by Lok Sabha does not lapse on Lok Sabha dissolution.
Which is correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2016)]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both
(D) Neither
Answer: (B) 2 only
Explanation: Prorogation does not make parliamentary Bills lapse, so statement 1 is incorrect. A Bill pending in Rajya Sabha that has not been passed by Lok Sabha survives dissolution of Lok Sabha, making statement 2 correct.
Q24. When an ordinary Bill is passed at a joint sitting of both Houses, what majority is required?
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2015)]
(A) Simple majority of members present and voting
(B) Three-fourths present and voting
(C) Two-thirds of all MPs
(D) Absolute majority of both Houses separately
Answer: (A) Simple majority of members present and voting
Explanation: Article 108 permits joint sittings to resolve certain legislative deadlocks. The Bill is decided by a simple majority of members present and voting together, ordinarily under the Lok Sabha Speaker’s chairmanship. Money and constitutional amendment Bills are excluded.
Q23. Consider:
1. Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a Money Bill.
2. Rajya Sabha cannot vote on Demands for Grants.
3. Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement.
Which are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2015)]
(A) 1 only
(B) 1 and 2 only
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) All three
Answer: (B) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Rajya Sabha may recommend changes to, but cannot amend or reject, a Money Bill. It also cannot vote on Demands for Grants, an exclusive Lok Sabha privilege. However, Rajya Sabha can discuss the Union Budget.
Q22. Consider: 1. The Department of Revenue prepares the Union Budget.
2. Withdrawal from the Consolidated Fund requires parliamentary authorisation.
3. Every payment from the Public Account needs an Appropriation Act.
Which is correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2015)]
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 2 and 3
(C) 2 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 2 only
Explanation: Parliament must authorise withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund, so statement 2 is correct. Budget preparation is coordinated by the Budget Division, not the Department of Revenue. Public Account withdrawals generally do not need parliamentary appropriation.
Q21. Who may summon a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament under Article 108?
[UPPSC Prelims (2015)]
(A) President
(B) Vice-President
(C) Prime Minister
(D) Chief Justice of India
Answer: (A) President
Explanation: The President may summon a joint sitting after the constitutional conditions of legislative deadlock are met. It is normally chaired by the Lok Sabha Speaker. The mechanism cannot be used for Money Bills or constitutional amendment Bills.
