Q120. Consider:
1. The President needs no ministerial advice to prorogue Parliament.
2. A House can be prorogued while sitting.
3. The President normally dissolves Lok Sabha on ministerial advice.
Which statements are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2024)]
(A) 1 only
(B) 1 and 2
(C) 2 and 3
(D) 3 only
Answer: (C) 2 and 3
Explanation: Prorogation and dissolution are presidential functions normally exercised on ministerial advice. Prorogation commonly follows adjournment sine die but need not do so. The Lok Sabha is ordinarily dissolved by the President acting on Cabinet advice.
Q119. Which group of Articles primarily deals with the Parliament of India?
[SSC CGL (24 September 2024)]
(A) Articles 52–78
(B) Articles 79–122
(C) Articles 124–147
(D) Articles 148–151
Answer: (B) Articles 79–122
Explanation: Part V, Chapter II of the Constitution, Articles 79 to 122, sets out Parliament’s composition, officers, procedures, powers and privileges. Different constitutional chapters cover the Union Executive, Supreme Court and Comptroller and Auditor General.
Q118. Which financial parliamentary committee does NOT include any Rajya Sabha members:
1. Public Accounts Committee
2. Estimates Committee
3. Committee on Public Undertakings?
[UPSC NDA II (2024)]
(A) 1 and 2
(B) 1 and 3
(C) 2 only
(D) 3 only
Answer: (C) 2 only
Explanation: Only the Estimates Committee is composed solely of Lok Sabha members, numbering thirty. The Public Accounts Committee and Committee on Public Undertakings each include members from both Houses, allowing the Upper House to contribute to financial oversight.
Q117. India follows which form of government at the Union level?
[SSC MTS (9 October 2024)]
(A) Presidential
(B) Parliamentary
(C) Military
(D) Directorial
Answer: (B) Parliamentary
Explanation: India adopts a parliamentary system where the executive is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. The President is constitutional head of state, while the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers exercise executive functions under constitutional arrangements.
Q116. India borrowed the parliamentary form of government mainly from which country?
[SSC MTS (9 October 2024)]
(A) United States
(B) United Kingdom
(C) Switzerland
(D) Japan
Answer: (B) United Kingdom
Explanation: India’s parliamentary system reflects the Westminster model developed in Britain. Cabinet responsibility to the elected chamber, the Prime Minister’s leadership and a nominal head of state are major features, adapted to a written republican Constitution.
Q115. Which Article specifies the qualifications for membership of Parliament?
[SSC MTS (17 October 2024)]
(A) Article 80
(B) Article 84
(C) Article 100
(D) Article 108
Answer: (B) Article 84
Explanation: Article 84 requires citizenship, an oath or affirmation and minimum ages of thirty for Rajya Sabha and twenty-five for Lok Sabha, along with additional qualifications laid down by parliamentary law.
Q114. Which House of Parliament is called the Council of States?
[SSC MTS (17 October 2024)]
(A) Lok Sabha
(B) Rajya Sabha
(C) Legislative Council
(D) Constituent Assembly
Answer: (B) Rajya Sabha
Explanation: Rajya Sabha is constitutionally designated the Council of States. Its members are largely elected indirectly by elected members of State Legislative Assemblies, using proportional representation by the single transferable vote, while twelve members are nominated.
Q113. Which Articles chiefly establish parliamentary government at the Union level by providing for ministerial advice and collective responsibility?
[SSC MTS (7 October 2024)]
(A) Articles 74 and 75
(B) Articles 32 and 226
(C) Articles 123 and 213
(D) Articles 148 and 149
Answer: (A) Articles 74 and 75
Explanation: Article 74 establishes the Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President, and Article 75 makes it collectively responsible to Lok Sabha. Together these provisions are essential to the Indian parliamentary executive.
Q112. Under Article 368, which changes to the Constitution may Parliament make by amendment: 1. Addition 2. Variation 3. Repeal?
[UPSC CSE Prelims (2024)]
(A) 1 only
(B) 1 and 2
(C) 2 and 3
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Article 368 explicitly empowers Parliament to amend the Constitution by addition, variation or repeal, following the prescribed procedure. The power remains subject to the Supreme Court’s basic structure doctrine, protecting essential constitutional features.
Q111. Who determines the salaries and allowances of Members of Parliament?
[WBCS Mains (2023)]
(A) Union Cabinet
(B) Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
(C) Cabinet Secretariat
(D) Parliament by law
Answer: (D) Parliament by law
Explanation: Article 106 authorises Parliament to determine MPs’ salaries and allowances by law. Parliamentary members do not constitutionally receive salaries merely on executive direction; statutory arrangements govern their remuneration and associated entitlements.
