π Chapter 08 Β· Previous Year Questions
Parliament of India β Previous Year Questions
10 actual questions from UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year papers with detailed answers.
π‘ Tip: Parliament questions are very frequent in all PSC exams. Focus on composition numbers, special powers, and procedures.
π Note: Questions sourced from UPSC Civil Services Prelims, APPSC Group 1 & 2, and TGPSC Group 1 & 2 previous papers.
π 10 Previous Year Questions
Consider the following statements about Rajya Sabha:
1. Rajya Sabha is a permanent house β it cannot be dissolved.
2. The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
3. Rajya Sabha can introduce Money Bills.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Rajya Sabha is a permanent house β it cannot be dissolved.
2. The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
3. Rajya Sabha can introduce Money Bills.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
β
Answer: A) 1 and 2 onlyStatements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect β Rajya Sabha CANNOT introduce Money Bills. Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations on Money Bills within 14 days.
Which of the following is NOT a special power of Rajya Sabha?
A) Passing a resolution under Article 249 to authorize Parliament to legislate on State List
B) Passing a resolution under Article 312 to create new All India Services
C) Passing a no-confidence motion against the government
D) Participating in the election of the President
β
Answer: C) Passing a no-confidence motion against the governmentA no-confidence motion can only be passed in Lok Sabha β not Rajya Sabha. Articles 249 and 312 are exclusive special powers of Rajya Sabha. Both Houses participate in the election of the President.
The Speaker of Lok Sabha is elected by:
A) All members of Parliament
B) Members of Lok Sabha
C) The President of India
D) Members of both Houses in a joint sitting
β
Answer: B) Members of Lok SabhaThe Speaker of Lok Sabha is elected by the members of Lok Sabha from among themselves (Article 93). The Speaker can be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all members of Lok Sabha (14 days’ notice required).
The maximum strength of Rajya Sabha is:
A) 238
B) 245
C) 250
D) 252
β
Answer: C) 250The maximum strength of Rajya Sabha is 250 β 238 elected members (from States and UTs) + 12 nominated by the President. The current strength is approximately 245.
Which article of the Indian Constitution defines a Money Bill?
A) Article 108
B) Article 109
C) Article 110
D) Article 112
β
Answer: C) Article 110Article 110 defines a Money Bill β a bill that contains only provisions dealing with taxation, borrowing, Consolidated Fund, appropriation, etc. Article 109 deals with the special procedure for Money Bills, and Article 108 deals with joint sittings.
The joint sitting of Parliament is presided over by:
A) President of India
B) Vice-President of India
C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
D) Prime Minister of India
β
Answer: C) Speaker of Lok SabhaThe joint sitting of Parliament is presided over by the Speaker of Lok Sabha (Article 118). In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha presides. The joint sitting is called by the President when there is a deadlock between the two Houses on an ordinary bill.
Which of the following statements about the Estimates Committee is correct?
A) It has members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
B) It is chaired by a member of the Opposition
C) It has 30 members, all from Lok Sabha
D) It examines the accounts of the government
β
Answer: C) It has 30 members, all from Lok SabhaThe Estimates Committee has 30 members, all from Lok Sabha only. It examines the estimates (budget) of government departments and suggests economies. It is chaired by a member of the ruling party (unlike PAC which is chaired by Opposition).
The 12 nominated members of Rajya Sabha are nominated by the President for their expertise in:
A) Law, medicine, engineering, and agriculture
B) Literature, science, art, and social service
C) Economics, finance, banking, and commerce
D) Defence, foreign affairs, and diplomacy
β
Answer: B) Literature, science, art, and social serviceThe 12 nominated members of Rajya Sabha are nominated by the President for their expertise in literature, science, art, and social service (Article 80). They are not politicians but experts in their respective fields.
Which of the following bills CANNOT be referred to a joint sitting of Parliament?
A) Ordinary Bill
B) Money Bill
C) Financial Bill (Category B)
D) Private Member’s Bill
β
Answer: B) Money BillMoney Bills and Constitutional Amendment Bills cannot be referred to a joint sitting. For Money Bills, Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations within 14 days β there is no provision for a joint sitting. Constitutional Amendment Bills require special majority in each House separately.
Under Article 312, Rajya Sabha can pass a resolution to authorize Parliament to create new All India Services. This resolution requires:
A) Simple majority
B) 2/3 majority of members present and voting
C) Absolute majority of total membership
D) Unanimous vote
β
Answer: B) 2/3 majority of members present and votingUnder Article 312, Rajya Sabha can pass a resolution by 2/3 majority of members present and voting (not total membership) to authorize Parliament to create new All India Services. The same 2/3 majority is required for Article 249 (State List legislation).