Q110. Expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India requires whose authorisation?
[WBCS Prelims (2023)]
(A) Only the Prime Minister
(B) Parliament
(C) Reserve Bank of India
(D) Only the Finance Minister
Answer: (B) Parliament
Explanation: Withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund ordinarily require appropriation authorised by Parliament. This constitutional financial control ensures that executive expenditure has legislative sanction, as reflected in the budget, demands for grants and Appropriation Act.
Q109. After a Bill has been passed by Parliament and has received the President’s assent, what does it become?
[WBCS Mains (2023)]
(A) A resolution
(B) An Act
(C) An ordinance
(D) A parliamentary question
Answer: (B) An Act
Explanation: A Bill passed through the required legislative stages becomes an Act once the President gives assent. Article 111 governs presidential assent to parliamentary Bills, with special considerations for reconsideration of ordinary legislation.
Q108. During President’s Rule in a State, who can exercise the State Legislature’s legislative powers?
[WBCS Mains (2023)]
(A) Supreme Court
(B) Parliament
(C) Governor alone in every case
(D) Election Commission
Answer: (B) Parliament
Explanation: Under Article 356, the proclamation may declare that State Legislature powers are exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. Parliament can confer associated legislative powers under Article 357, subject to constitutional limits.
Q107. Which statement regarding the Rajya Sabha is INCORRECT?
[RAS Prelims (2023)]
(A) Dr S. Radhakrishnan was the only Chairman who served two terms
(B) Representatives of some Union Territories sit in Rajya Sabha
(C) The first Constitutional Amendment did not require State ratification
(D) Parliament has held three joint sittings for Bills
Answer: (A) Dr S. Radhakrishnan was the only Chairman who served two terms
Explanation: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan served two vice-presidential terms and chaired Rajya Sabha, but he was not the only person to chair across two terms. The other statements reflect arrangements for nominated or indirectly elected representation and parliamentary procedure.
Q106. Where was the ninth India Region Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association held in 2023?
[RAS Prelims (2023)]
(A) Bhopal
(B) Udaipur
(C) Jaipur
(D) New Delhi
Answer: (B) Udaipur
Explanation: Udaipur in Rajasthan hosted the ninth India Region Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in 2023. Such conferences facilitate dialogue among legislators and presiding officers about effective legislatures, accountability and democratic institutions.
Q105. Who was the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha?
[SSC MTS (11 September 2023)]
(A) M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar
(B) G. V. Mavalankar
(C) Hukam Singh
(D) Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
Answer: (B) G. V. Mavalankar
Explanation: Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar became the first Speaker of independent India’s Lok Sabha in 1952, having previously presided over the Constituent Assembly’s legislative wing and the Provisional Parliament. He helped develop early parliamentary practices.
Q104. When was India’s first Lok Sabha general election held?
[SSC MTS (11 September 2023)]
(A) 1947–48
(B) 1949–50
(C) 1951–52
(D) 1955–56
Answer: (C) 1951–52
Explanation: The first general election for the Lok Sabha took place during 1951–52, based on adult franchise under the Constitution. It established democratic representation for the newly constituted House and led to the first elected national government.
Q103. On which date did the first Lok Sabha hold its first sitting?
[SSC CGL (20 July 2023)]
(A) 26 January 1950
(B) 13 May 1952
(C) 15 August 1947
(D) 2 October 1952
Answer: (B) 13 May 1952
Explanation: The first Lok Sabha held its inaugural sitting on 13 May 1952, following India’s first general elections. The First Lok Sabha continued until 1957 and set several foundational parliamentary conventions.
Q102. Which body conducts elections to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
[SSC MTS (4 September 2023)]
(A) Finance Commission
(B) Election Commission of India
(C) UPSC
(D) Law Commission
Answer: (B) Election Commission of India
Explanation: The Election Commission of India supervises parliamentary elections under Article 324. Lok Sabha members are directly elected, while elected Rajya Sabha members are chosen indirectly by eligible members of State Legislative Assemblies.
Q101. What maximum membership does the Constitution permit in the Lok Sabha as of June 2023?
[SSC MTS (12 September 2023)]
(A) 546
(B) 550
(C) 545
(D) 543
Answer: (B) 550
Explanation: After expiry of the special Anglo-Indian nomination provision, the constitutional maximum for Lok Sabha is 550: up to 530 elected representatives of States and twenty of Union Territories. The existing number of elected territorial constituencies is 543.
