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Parliament
Political Science / Civics
Useful for: UPSC Civil Services, OSSC RHT — Regular High School Teacher, OSEPA Upper Primary — Arts, OSSC Political Science, OSSSC Govt TGT Arts, SSB Lecturer (Degree Colleges), SSB TGT Arts
Overview
Parliament (Article 79) is the President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha; it legislates, controls finance and holds the executive accountable.
Key points
- Rajya Sabha: maximum 250 members (238 elected, 12 nominated); a permanent house with one-third retiring every two years.
- Lok Sabha: directly elected; the 104th Amendment (2020) ended nomination of Anglo-Indian members.
- Money Bills (Article 110) are introduced only in the Lok Sabha and certified by the Speaker; the Rajya Sabha can delay them for 14 days.
- Joint sitting (Article 108) is presided over by the Speaker; it is not available for Money Bills or constitutional amendments; held three times (1961, 1978, 2002).
- The gap between two sessions cannot exceed six months (Article 85); quorum is one-tenth of total membership.
- Financial committees: PAC (22 members: 15 Lok Sabha, 7 Rajya Sabha), Estimates Committee (30, all from Lok Sabha), Committee on Public Undertakings (22: 15 + 7).
Explanation
- Constitutional amendment bills need a special majority in each House separately; no joint sitting.
- Accountability tools: question hour, zero hour, calling attention, adjournment motion, no-confidence motion (Lok Sabha only).
- Departmentally related standing committees examine demands for grants and bills.
- The Speaker’s decision on disqualification under the Tenth Schedule is subject to judicial review (Kihoto Hollohan, 1992).
- The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is elected by its members; the Vice-President is ex-officio Chairman.
Step by step
- Identify the concept, law or fact asked.
- Recall the definition, formula, example or year.
- Apply it and eliminate mismatched options.
Examples
- Statement: "A joint sitting can be held to resolve a deadlock on a Money Bill." → Incorrect.
- Statement: "The Estimates Committee has members from both Houses." → Incorrect (Lok Sabha only).
- Statement: "Joint sittings have been held three times." → Correct (1961, 1978, 2002).
Traps and advanced points
- Trap: Including Rajya Sabha members in the Estimates Committee.
- Trap: Allowing joint sittings for amendments.
- Trap: Giving the Vice-President power to preside over joint sittings.
Quick revision
- Money Bill → Speaker certifies; RS 14 days.
- Joint sitting thrice.
- PAC 22, Estimates 30, CoPU 22.
Practice MCQs
The Lok Sabha is also called the —
- Council of States
- House of the People
- Upper House
- Legislative Council
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Answer: (b) House of the People. Lok Sabha = House of the People; Rajya Sabha = Council of States.
The Lok Sabha is presided over by the —
- President
- Vice-President
- Speaker
- Prime Minister
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Answer: (c) Speaker. The Vice-President chairs the Rajya Sabha.
The upper house of Parliament is the —
- Lok Sabha
- Rajya Sabha
- Vidhan Sabha
- Gram Sabha
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Answer: (b) Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha is the upper house.
From the perspective of definition and scope, which one of the following statements about Parliament is correct?
- A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and requires the President’s recommendation.
- A joint sitting is constitutionally available to resolve a deadlock on a Constitutional Amendment Bill.
- Parliament is unrelated to institutions, processes or real-world applications.
- Parliament has no exceptions or limitations in exam analysis.
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Answer: (a) A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and requires the President’s recommendation.. A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and requires the President’s recommendation.
Consider the following statements on Parliament, focusing on definition and scope: 1. A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and requires the President’s recommendation. 2. A joint sitting is constitutionally available to resolve a deadlock on a Constitutional Amendment Bill. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (a) 1 only. Statement 1 is correct; Statement 2 is a common misconception.
With reference to Parliament (definition and scope), consider the following statements: 1. The Rajya Sabha may recommend changes to a Money Bill but cannot finally amend or reject it. 2. A joint sitting is constitutionally available to resolve a deadlock on a Constitutional Amendment Bill. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (a) 1 only. Only statement 1 is correct.
With reference to Parliament (institutional design), consider the following statements: 1. Parliamentary committees enable detailed scrutiny that is often impossible on the floor of the House. 2. A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and requires the President’s recommendation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2. Both statements are correct.
From the perspective of working mechanism, which one of the following statements about Parliament is correct?
- A joint sitting may be used for certain ordinary legislative deadlocks but not for Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills.
- The Supreme Court has original, appellate and advisory jurisdictions in constitutionally specified matters.
- The Preamble states the nature of the Indian state and constitutional goals such as justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
- The Eleventh and Twelfth Schedules list subjects that may be devolved to Panchayats and Municipalities respectively.
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Answer: (a) A joint sitting may be used for certain ordinary legislative deadlocks but not for Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills.. A joint sitting may be used for certain ordinary legislative deadlocks but not for Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills.
With reference to Parliament (practical application), consider the following statements: 1. A joint sitting is constitutionally available to resolve a deadlock on a Constitutional Amendment Bill. 2. Parliamentary committees enable detailed scrutiny that is often impossible on the floor of the House. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (b) 2 only. Only statement 2 is correct.
With reference to Parliament (working mechanism), consider the following statements: 1. The Rajya Sabha may recommend changes to a Money Bill but cannot finally amend or reject it. 2. A joint sitting is constitutionally available to resolve a deadlock on a Constitutional Amendment Bill. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (a) 1 only. Only statement 1 is correct.
More topics in this chapter
Notes and questions are written by Kundali IQ for practice. They are not official papers; always check the latest official notification for the syllabus and pattern.