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Legislature – Class 11 Political Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 11 Political Science, chapter 5. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

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Chapter overview

The legislature makes laws, controls the executive, passes the budget, represents the people and amends the Constitution. India's Parliament is bicameral, consisting of the President, the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Lok Sabha is more powerful in money matters and in controlling the government.

Composition of Parliament

  • The Lok Sabha has members directly elected for five years from constituencies; at present 543 seats are filled by election.
  • The Rajya Sabha can have up to 250 members, of whom 12 are nominated by the President for expertise in literature, science, art and social service; the rest are elected by state legislative assemblies.
  • The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house: members serve six years and one-third retire every two years.

Law-making and financial powers

  • An ordinary bill passes through three readings in each House and needs the President's assent; a deadlock between the Houses on an ordinary bill can be resolved by a joint sitting presided over by the Speaker (Article 108).
  • A money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha can only suggest changes and must return it within 14 days.
  • Constitutional amendment bills need a special majority in each House separately; there is no joint sitting for them.

Control over the executive

  • Tools include question hour, zero hour, calling attention and adjournment motions, debates, approval of the budget and parliamentary committees such as the Public Accounts Committee.
  • A no-confidence motion passed in the Lok Sabha forces the Council of Ministers to resign.
  • The anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule, added by the 52nd Amendment in 1985) disqualifies members who defect from their party; the Speaker or Chairman decides such cases.

Key terms

Bicameral legislature
a legislature with two Houses
Money bill
a bill dealing with taxes, borrowing or expenditure, which can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha
Joint sitting
a combined meeting of both Houses to resolve a deadlock on an ordinary bill
No-confidence motion
a motion in the Lok Sabha expressing lack of confidence in the government
Anti-defection law
the law in the Tenth Schedule that disqualifies legislators who defect from their party

Important questions with answers

Why is the Lok Sabha more powerful than the Rajya Sabha?2 marks

The Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people. Money bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha can only delay them for 14 days. The Council of Ministers is responsible only to the Lok Sabha, which alone can remove the government through a no-confidence motion. In a joint sitting, the larger Lok Sabha usually prevails.

Explain how an ordinary bill becomes a law.3 marks

An ordinary bill may be introduced in either House. It goes through the first reading (introduction), second reading (general discussion and clause-by-clause consideration, often after committee examination) and third reading (final vote). It then goes to the other House for the same process. If both Houses pass it, it is sent to the President for assent, after which it becomes law. A deadlock can be resolved through a joint sitting.

Explain the functions of Parliament and the ways in which it controls the executive.5 marks

Parliament performs several functions. Its legislative function is to make laws on subjects in the Union List and Concurrent List. Its financial function is to approve the budget, taxes and expenditure; money bills originate only in the Lok Sabha. It performs constituent functions by amending the Constitution, electoral functions by electing the President and Vice-President, and judicial functions such as impeachment of the President and removal of judges. It is a forum for representation and deliberation on national issues. Parliament controls the executive in many ways. During question hour members ask ministers questions; zero hour allows urgent matters to be raised; calling attention and adjournment motions draw attention to urgent issues. Debates on the President's address, the budget and policies allow scrutiny. Approval of the budget gives control over finances, and committees such as the Public Accounts Committee examine government spending. Most importantly, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, which can remove the government through a no-confidence motion. These tools make the executive accountable to the people's representatives.

Quick revision

  • Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha.
  • Rajya Sabha: permanent, one-third retire every two years, 12 nominated.
  • Money bills only in Lok Sabha; joint sitting for ordinary bills.
  • Tools of control; no-confidence; anti-defection law (1985).

Exam tips

  • Make a table of Lok Sabha versus Rajya Sabha powers.
  • Remember the 14-day limit for the Rajya Sabha on money bills.

Practice MCQs

  1. India's Parliament consists of the President, the Lok Sabha and the

    1. Supreme Court
    2. Rajya Sabha
    3. Election Commission
    4. NITI Aayog
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Rajya Sabha. It is bicameral.

  2. The number of members nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President is

    1. 2
    2. 12
    3. 20
    4. 25
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) 12. They have special knowledge or experience.

  3. A money bill can be introduced only in the

    1. Lok Sabha
    2. Rajya Sabha
    3. either House
    4. Supreme Court
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha has supremacy in financial matters.

  4. The Rajya Sabha must return a money bill within

    1. 7 days
    2. 30 days
    3. 14 days
    4. 6 months
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) 14 days. Otherwise it is deemed passed.

  5. A joint sitting of both Houses is presided over by the

    1. Speaker of the Lok Sabha
    2. President
    3. Vice-President
    4. Prime Minister
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) Speaker of the Lok Sabha. It resolves deadlocks on ordinary bills.

  6. The anti-defection law was added by the

    1. 42nd Amendment
    2. 52nd Amendment
    3. 61st Amendment
    4. 91st Amendment
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) 52nd Amendment. It is in the Tenth Schedule.

  7. Why is the Rajya Sabha called a permanent house

    1. its members are nominated for life
    2. it meets every day
    3. it is never dissolved and one-third of its members retire every two years
    4. it has no elections
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) it is never dissolved and one-third of its members retire every two years. It provides continuity.

  8. Which is NOT possible for a constitutional amendment bill

    1. passage by special majority
    2. introduction in either House
    3. a joint sitting to resolve disagreement
    4. President's assent
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) a joint sitting to resolve disagreement. Each House must pass it separately.

All chapters of Class 11 Political Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.