Parliament
What is Parliament in India?
Parliament is the legislative organ of the government of India.
What is the basis of the Indian Parliament system?
It is based on the British Westminster model of government.
Which Articles of the Indian Constitution deal with the Parliament?
Articles 79-122 deal with the organisation, composition, duration, officers, procedures, privileges, powers, etc., of Parliament.
What are the three components of the Indian Parliament?
The Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha, and the President.
Is the President a member of either House of Parliament?
No, the President is not a member of either House and does not sit in Parliament.
What role does the President play in Parliament?
The President can prorogue, summon both Houses, and must give assent for a bill to become a law. The President also addresses both Houses at the beginning of each year and on the first session.
What is the maximum number of members in the Lok Sabha?
The Lok Sabha can have a maximum of 545 members.
How many seats in the Lok Sabha are allocated to States and Union Territories?
530 seats are allocated to States and 13 seats to Union Territories, with 2 members nominated.
What is the principle for the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha?
The ratio between seats and population should be maintained, with uniformity between different states and constituencies.
How often is the readjustment of seats in the Lok Sabha done?
After every census, a readjustment of seats and division of constituencies is done.
What was the effect of the 42nd Amendment Act on the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha?
The 42nd Amendment Act froze the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha and the division of constituencies until the year 2000, based on the 1971 Census.
What is the basis of the delimitation of constituencies after the 84th and 87th Constitutional Amendments?
The 84th Amendment Act used the 1991 Census as the basis, and the 87th Amendment Act used the 2001 Census.
What is the maximum number of members in the Rajya Sabha?
The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of 250 members.
How many members in the Rajya Sabha are nominated?
12 members are nominated to the Rajya Sabha for their expertise in fields like Literature, Art, Science, and Social Service.
How are the seats allocated in the Rajya Sabha?
The Rajya Sabha consists of 229 members from States and Union Territories, and 12 nominated members.
What system is used for elections to the Rajya Sabha?
The system of proportional representation through a single transferable vote is used.
What is the reservation system for SCs and STs in Parliament?
Initially, communal representation for SCs and STs was for 10 years, extended by 10 years each time. It was last extended by the 95th Amendment Act in 2009 until 2020.
What are the age and terms for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members?
A member must be 25 years old to be in the Lok Sabha (5-year term), and 30 years old to be in the Rajya Sabha (6-year term). One-third of Rajya Sabha members retire every year.
What is the retirement system for Rajya Sabha members?
One-third of Rajya Sabha members retire every year.
What is a reason for disqualification of a member?
A member can be disqualified if they hold an office of profit, are of unsound mind, insolvent, or found guilty under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
What is the reason for disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law?
A member can be disqualified for not following the whip of their party.
Is there any exception to the Anti-Defection Law?
Yes, members who are expelled from their party are an exception.
What is the rule regarding mergers under the Anti-Defection Law?
A merger is allowed if at least 2/3rd of the members of a party agree to it.
What happens if a person is elected to both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
The Rajya Sabha seat will become vacant if a person is elected to both Houses.
What is the maximum time allowed to inform about double membership?
The maximum time allowed to inform about double membership is 10 days.
What happens if a member of one House is elected to another House?
If a sitting member of one House is elected to the other House, their seat in the first House will become vacant.
What happens if a person is a member of both Parliament and a State Legislature?
If a person is a member of both, their Parliamentary seat will become vacant within 14 days.
How is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha elected?
The Speaker is elected at the first sitting of the Lok Sabha.
How is a casual vacancy in the Speaker’s office filled?
A casual vacancy in the Speaker’s office is filled by a new election, which is conducted by the President.
What happens when the Speaker vacates their office earlier?
The Speaker vacates their office if they cease to be a member of the Lok Sabha or if they resign in writing.
How can the Speaker be removed from office?
The Speaker can be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of the Lok Sabha members, with a 14-day notice.
What is the role of the Speaker in voting?
The Speaker has a casting vote but does not vote in the first instance.
Does the Speaker vacate their office when the Lok Sabha is dissolved?
No, the Speaker does not vacate the office when the Lok Sabha is dissolved. They continue until the new Lok Sabha meets.
What are the roles and functions of the Speaker?
The Speaker is the head and representative of the Lok Sabha, the guardian of powers and privileges, and the final decision-maker. They also interpret the Constitution and decide disqualifications of members.
What is the Speaker’s salary situation?
The Speaker’s salary is fixed and is not subject to a vote, as it is from the Consolidated Fund of India.
How is the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha elected?
The Deputy Speaker is elected in a manner similar to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
What happens when the office of the Deputy Speaker is vacant?
When the office of the Deputy Speaker is vacant, a new Deputy Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha.
What are the duties of the Deputy Speaker?
The Deputy Speaker presides over the House when the Speaker’s office is vacant or when the Speaker is absent. The Deputy Speaker has a casting vote while presiding.
What is the origin of the Deputy Speaker’s office?
The office of the Deputy Speaker originated in 1921 under the Government of India Act, 1919 (Montague Chelmsford Reforms).
What is the role of the Panel of Chairpersons in the Lok Sabha?
The Speaker nominates members to the Panel of Chairpersons, and they act as presiding officers when the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent.
Can the Panel of Chairpersons preside over the House if both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent?
No, if both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent, the President appoints a member of the House to perform the duties of the Speaker.
What is the role of the Speaker Pro Tem?
The Speaker Pro Tem is the senior-most member of the Lok Sabha and is appointed to perform the Speaker's duties until the new Speaker is elected.
When does the Speaker Pro Tem's office become vacant?
The office of the Speaker Pro Tem becomes vacant immediately after the election of the new Speaker.
Who presides over the first sitting of a newly selected Lok Sabha?
The Speaker Pro Tem presides over the first sitting of a newly selected Lok Sabha.
Who is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Can the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha be removed from office?
The Chairman can only be removed if the Vice-President is removed from office.
What are the powers and functions of the Chairman in the Rajya Sabha?
The powers and functions are similar to those of the Speaker in the Lok Sabha.
Are there any special powers of the Speaker of Lok Sabha not held by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha?
Yes, two special powers: deciding if a bill is a money bill, and presiding over a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.
Who elects the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
The Deputy Chairman is elected by the members of the Rajya Sabha.
Under what conditions does the Deputy Chairman vacate his office?
The Deputy Chairman vacates office if he ceases to be a member, resigns, or is removed by a majority resolution after a 14-day notice.
Who is the Leader of the House in Parliament?
The Prime Minister is the Leader of the House.
Who is the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament?
The Leader of the Opposition is the leader of the largest party in the opposition, with at least 1/10th of the total majority.
What is the role of a Whip in Parliament?
A Whip is appointed by political parties to assist the floor leader and ensure party discipline during sessions.
Who summons the sessions of Parliament?
The President summons each House of Parliament.
What is the maximum gap allowed between two sessions of Parliament?
The maximum gap between two sessions of Parliament cannot exceed six months.
What are the three main sessions of Parliament?
The three sessions are the Budget Session (February to May), the Monsoon Session (July to September), and the Winter Session (November to December).
What is a 'session' in Parliament?
A session is the period between the first sitting of a House and its prorogation or dissolution.
What is the difference between a session and a recess?
A recess is the period between the prorogation of Parliament and its reassembly.
What is an adjournment in Parliament?
An adjournment suspends the work of a sitting for a specified time, which can be hours, days, or weeks.
What does adjournment sine die mean?
It means terminating a sitting of Parliament for an indefinite period.
What is prorogation in Parliament?
Prorogation is when the presiding officer declares the House adjourned sine die, and the President issues a notification for it.
What is the difference between the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha in terms of dissolution?
The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House, while the Lok Sabha is subject to dissolution.
What happens during the dissolution of the Lok Sabha?
The dissolution ends the life of the current House, and a new House is constituted after general elections.
What are the two ways the Lok Sabha can be dissolved?
1. Automatic dissolution after the expiry of its tenure.
2. Dissolution decided by the President.
What is quorum in Parliament?
Quorum is the minimum number of members required to be present in the House to conduct any business. It is 1/10th of the total members, including the presiding officer.
What is a Lame-Duck Session?
A Lame-Duck Session is the last session of the existing Lok Sabha after a new Lok Sabha has been elected.
What is the Question Hour in Parliament?
The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is allocated for Question Hour, where members ask questions, and ministers provide answers.
What are the three types of questions in Question Hour?
- Starred Questions: Requires oral answers, and supplementary questions are allowed.
- Unstarred Questions: Requires written answers, no supplementary questions, and have a notice period of 10-21 days.
- Short Notice Questions: Relates to matters of public importance and are asked to a private member.
What is the Zero Hour in Parliament?
Zero Hour is an informal period after Question Hour where matters of urgent public importance are raised and discussed.
Is Zero Hour mentioned in the Parliamentary Procedure?
No, Zero Hour is not mentioned in the Parliamentary Procedure but is a customary part of proceedings.
What are the categories of motions in Parliament?
There are three categories of motions:
- Substantive Motion: A self-contained proposal on important matters.
- Substitute Motion: Proposes an alternative to the original motion and supersedes it.
- Subsidiary Motion: Related to the original motion and can’t stand alone.
What is an Ancillary Motion?
It is a motion that allows the regular proceeding of business during various parliamentary activities.
What is a Superseding Motion?
A motion that seeks to replace the ongoing debate with a new issue during discussions.
What is an Amendment Motion?
An amendment motion modifies or substitutes only part of the original motion.
What is a Closure Motion?
A motion to end the debate and move to a vote. It can be:
- Simple Closure: Ends the discussion and puts the matter to a vote.
- Closure by Compartments: Groups the debate into parts for separate votes.
- Kangaroo Closure: Only important clauses are debated and voted on.
- Guillotine Closure: Puts undiscussed clauses to vote due to lack of time.
What is a Privilege Motion?
A Privilege Motion is raised when a member breaches parliamentary privilege, such as giving wrong information.
What is a Calling Attention Motion?
A motion that allows members to draw the attention of the House to matters of general public importance with prior permission from the Speaker.
What is an Adjournment Motion?
A motion introduced to draw attention to an urgent public matter, requiring the support of 50 members and lasting at least 2 hours 30 minutes.
What is a No-Confidence Motion?
A motion that expresses no confidence in the Council of Ministers, requiring support from 50 members to be introduced. It can remove the ministry if passed.
What is a Censure Motion?
A motion that expresses disapproval of a minister or the government. If passed, the affected minister must seek confidence in the Lok Sabha.
What is a Motion of Thanks?
A motion presented after the first session following a general election, thanking the President for their address. It is put to vote at the end.
What is the purpose of a Point of Order raised by a member?
It is raised when proceedings do not follow the normal rules of the house or to enforce the rules by the opposition to control the government or suspend proceedings, with no debate allowed.
What is the Half-Hour Discussion?
It is a discussion on a matter of sufficient public importance, which has already been debated, and no formal motion or voting takes place.
How long does a Short Duration Discussion last?
It lasts for 2 hours and covers a matter of urgent public importance.
What is the Special Mention in Parliament?
A Special Mention can be made for issues that cannot be raised during the question hour and are not a point of order, similar to 'Notices' in the Lok Sabha.
What is the Contingency Fund?
The Contingency Fund is held by the finance secretary on behalf of the President, and it was initially set at 500 Cr in 1950 under Article 267.
What is the Public Account Fund?
It holds all public money, judicial deposits, bank deposits, and departmental deposits made without parliamentary appropriation.
What are the stages every bill goes through in Parliament?
Every bill passes through the First Reading, Second Reading (which involves detailed scrutiny), and Third Reading (debating the bill as a whole). After approval, it is sent to the other house for the same process.
What happens after a bill passes both houses of Parliament?
The bill is presented to the President for assent, who can either give assent, withhold it, or return the bill for reconsideration.
What happens if the President withholds assent to a bill?
If the President withholds assent, the bill can be returned to both houses for reconsideration. If both houses pass it again, the President must give assent.
What is a Money Bill?
A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha by a minister, and only with the President’s recommendation. It cannot be amended or rejected by the Rajya Sabha, which can only suggest amendments.
What happens if the Rajya Sabha disagrees with a Money Bill?
The Rajya Sabha can detain the bill for up to 14 days, after which it is deemed passed. It can either approve or reject the bill, but it cannot return it for reconsideration.
What is the difference between a Financial Bill and a Money Bill?
A Financial Bill is of two types: one that includes all matters from Article 110 and general legislation, and the other that involves expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI), which is treated like an ordinary bill if not mentioned in Article 110.
What is a Joint Session in the Parliament?
It is an extraordinary procedure to resolve a deadlock between the two Houses of Parliament.
Who can order a Joint Session?
The President can order a Joint Session in three situations: if a bill is rejected, if there is disagreement on amendments, or if more than six months pass without the bill being passed.
Who presides over a Joint Session?
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over the Joint Session, or the Deputy Speaker in their absence.
What is the Budget in Parliament?
The Budget is an annual financial statement outlining the estimated receipts and expenditures of the Government of India for the financial year, from 1st April to 31st March.
What were the two separate budgets before 2017?
Before 2017, there were two budgets: the Railway Budget and the General Budget.
What are the stages in the enactment of the Budget?
The stages include: presentation of the budget, general discussion, scrutiny by committees, voting on demands, passing of appropriation Bill, and passing of finance Bill.
What is the multifunctional role of Parliament?
Parliament has legislative, financial, constitutional, judicial, electoral, and other powers, including the approval of ordinances and amendments.
What is Parliament’s legislative power?
Parliament can make laws for the Union List, Concurrent List, Residuary List, and even on the State List under specific conditions (Art 249, 250, 252, 253, 356).
What is Parliament’s financial power?
Parliament has the power to approve the budget and exercise control over financial matters (Art 265).
What is Parliament’s constitutional power?
Parliament can amend the Constitution through simple, special, or absolute amendments.
What is Parliament’s judicial power?
Parliament has the power to impeach the President, Vice President, CJI, CEC, and CAG.
What is Parliament’s electoral power?
Parliament can conduct elections for the offices of the President, Vice President, Speaker, and Deputy Speaker.
What other powers does Parliament have?
Parliament can approve emergencies, create or abolish SLC, and pass various other laws under Articles like 2, 3, 9, and 10.
What is the position of Rajya Sabha in relation to Lok Sabha?
Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have equal powers for most matters, but there are exceptions like Money Bills and no-confidence motions.
What powers does Rajya Sabha have over Money Bills?
Rajya Sabha cannot pass Money Bills. Only Lok Sabha can pass them, and the Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over a Joint Session in case of disagreement.
What powers does Lok Sabha have that Rajya Sabha does not?
Lok Sabha has special powers like passing no-confidence motions, and powers under Articles 249 and 312.
What are Parliamentary privileges?
Parliamentary privileges include individual privileges, like immunity from arrest during sessions, and collective privileges, like the power to punish members.
What are individual privileges of Members of Parliament?
MPs have the right to speech and vote in Parliament, which cannot be challenged in court, and they cannot be arrested during a session or before and after it (Art 105).
What are collective privileges of Parliament?
Parliament can punish its members, and courts are prohibited from conducting inquiries into Parliamentary proceedings.
What are the special powers of Rajya Sabha?
Rajya Sabha can authorize laws on the State List, create All India Services, initiate the removal of the Vice President, and exercise powers during emergencies when Lok Sabha is dissolved.
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