CIVICS

CHAPTER: UNION PARLIAMENT

1.State any one features of the Indian Constitution.
One feature of the Indian Constitution is that it is the longest written constitution in the world,
consisting of a Preamble, 448 Articles, and 12 Schedules, as well as numerous amendments that
have been made since its adoption in 1950.

2.Name the law making body of the Union Parliament.

Legislature or Legislative body is the law making body of the Union Parliament.

3.Name the main constituents of the Indian Parliament.

The main constituents of Indian Parliament are the President and the two Houses - Rajya Sabha
(Council of States) and Lok Sabha (House of the People).

4.Define Universal Adult Franchise.

Every person who is attained the age of 18 years is entitled to vote provided he is otherwise
disqualified.

5.What is Constituency?
An area that sends a representative to the state or national legislature.

6.How are the members of the Lok Sabha elected?

At present members of the Lok Sabha are elected by 543 single-member constituencies. The
candidate obtaining the largest number of votes, irrespective of the percentage of votes he or
she secures, is declared elected.

7.Mention three qualifications needed to be a member of (i) Lok Sabha (ii) Rajya Sabha.
Qualifications of Lok Sabha:
 Must be a Citizen of India
 Must be not less than twenty-five years of age
 Must posses such other qualifications as may be prescribed under any law made by
Parliament.

Qualifications if Rajya Sabha:

 Must be a Citizen of India
 Must be not less than thirty years of age
  Must posses such other qualifications as may be prescribed under any law from time
to time.

8. Mention three disqualifications needed to be a member of (i) Lok Sabha (ii) Rajya Sabha.
Disqualifications of Lok Sabha:
 If one holding an Office of Profit under the Government of India or of States except such
offices as have been exempted by a law enacted in 2006.
 If a person is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a component court.
 If a person has ceased to be a Citizen of India (by doing any crime according to the law).

(Note: Some fifty-six offices now would not be regarded as offices of profit for this purpose.)

Disqualifications of Rajya Sabha:

 If one holding an Office of Profit under the Government of India or of States except such
offices as have been exempted by a law enacted in 2006.
 If being of unsound mind.
 If being an foreign.

9.Mention the composition of each house: (i) Lok Sabha (ii) Rajya Sabha.
Composition of Lok Sabha:
 The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha provided by Article 81 of the Constitution is
550. Out of this, upto 530 members can represent the States and not more than 20
members shall represent the States and not more than 20 members shall represent the
Union Territories.

Composition of Rajya Sabha:

 The Rajya Sabha consists of not more than 250 members. The members fall into two
categories—nominated and elected. The nominated members are twelve in number.
They are nominated by the President from among persons having special knowledge or
practical experience in matters such as these—literature, science, art and social service.

10.Who is the presiding officer of: (i) Lok Sabha (ii) Rajya Sabha?
i. The presiding officer of Lok Sabha is the Speaker.
ii. The presiding officer of Rajya Sabha is the Chairman (Vice President).

11.How can the speaker be removed from office?

He can be removed from the office by a resolution passed by the majority of all the then
Members of the House.
The Speaker does not vacate his office on the dissolution of the House. He vacates it
immediately before the first meeting of the newly constituted House.
12.How many members are nominated to Lok Sabha? Who nominates them? Which
community do they represent.
2 members to be nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian Community.

13.Define Quorum. What is the required Quorum to hold the meeting of the Lok Sabha?
The quorum to constitute a meeting of the Lok Sabha is one-tenth of the total number of
members. This include the Speaker or the person who presides over the meeting.

14.State the minimum number of times that the Lok Sabha meet in a year.
The minimum number of times that the Lok Sabha meet in a year is 2 times (Minimum 6
months gap between two meetings).

15.What are the three sessions of the Parliament?

The Parliament sits for three sessions: Monsoon session, Winter session and Budget session.

16.Why is the Rajya Sabha called Permanent House?

Rajya Sabha called Permanent House is called because unlike Lok Sabha, which can be dissolved
by the President before its term expires, Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subjected
to dissolution.

17.Who is the ex-officio chairperson of the Rajya Sabha?

The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

18.Who presides over the meeting of Rajya Sabha in the absence of the Vice-president?
Deputy Chairman presides over the meeting of Rajya Sabha in the absence of the Vice-
president (Chairman).

19.What is Non-Confidence Motion?

1. In India, a non-confidence motion is a parliamentary procedure where Members of
Parliament express their lack of confidence in the Council of Ministers, including the
Prime Minister. If the motion is passed, the government must resign. It is a significant
tool for the opposition to hold the ruling government accountable and seek a change in
leadership.

20.Name the bill which cannot originate from Rajya Sabha?

A Money Bill can be introduced only in Lok Sabha and cannot originate in Rajya Sabha.

21.How long can the Rajya Sabha return the money bill sent by the Lok Sabha?
The Rajya must return the Money Bill to Lok Sabha within a period of 14 days (about 2 weeks).
22.Mention one situation when both the Houses of Parliament meet for a Join Session. Who
presides over it?
Disagreement between the two Houses on Bill, other than a Money Bill, is resolved by both the
Houses in joint sitting which is presided by the Speaker of Lok Sabha. Here matters are decided
by majority vote.

(Note: Since the total membership of Rajya Sabha is less than even half of the total strength of
Lok Sabha, the will of the Lok Sabha would naturally prevail at a join sitting.)

23.Who can make laws on subjects not included in any of the list?
Parliament can make laws on subjects not included in any of the list.

24.When can the Union Legislature makes laws on the subjects included in the State List?
 When the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority that a subject in the
State List has assumed national importance.
 When two or more States desire that the Parliament should legislate on a subject given
in the State List.

25.What is meant by Residuary powers of the Parliament?

Residuary powers of Parliament mean powers that are not mentioned in any subject of the
constitution.

26.What is the Budget?

The Budget in the Indian Parliament is an Annual Financial Statement presented by the Finance
Minister of India, which outlines the estimated revenues and expenditures of the Government
of India for the upcoming fiscal year. It is a crucial document that helps in fiscal planning and
policymaking in the country.

27.What is the maximum gap between two Parliamentary sessions?

As per the Indian Constitution, the maximum gap between two Parliamentary sessions is six
months (twice in a year).

28.Distinguish between Zero Hour and Question Hour.

Question Hour Zero Hour
The first hour of sitting in both Houses is For Zero Hour members raise all types of
allotted to asking and answering questions. questions. Sometimes, they raise matters
Therefore, it is called the Question House. simply to gain publicity or just to embarrass
the government.
It takes place in the first hour of sitting in It takes place at 12 o’ clock, just after
both the houses. Question hour and just before lunchtime at 1
o’ clock.
 A question must not ordinarily exceed 150 No rules are maintained any question of any
words. A member has to give 10 clear days’ limit can be asked.
notice of a question.

29.Write short notes on: (i)Adjournment Motion (ii)Censure Motion.

Adjournment Motion: An Adjournment Motion proposes that the House should lay aside all
other business and take up the consideration of “a matter of urgent public importance.” Such a
Motion interrupts the normal business of the House. Therefore, a speaker applies a rigorous
test for the admissibility of Adjournment Motions.

Censure Motion: Censure Motion may be moved against a group a group of Ministers or an
individual Minister, expressing a strong disapproval of their policy or some deed. Adoption of
the Censure Motion would result in the resignation of the Government.

30.Mention two special powers of Rajya Sabha.

 Power to initiate legislation: The Rajya Sabha has the power to initiate and pass bills on
any subject of the Concurrent List and on matters concerning the residuary powers of
the Parliament.
 Power to impeach: The Rajya Sabha can initiate the process of impeachment of the
President, Vice-President, Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, and members
of the Union Council of Ministers for violation of the Constitution.

31.State any three subjects on which the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha enjoy co-equal
powers.
 Amendment of the Constitution: Both the Houses of Parliament must pass a
constitutional amendment bill with a two-thirds majority before it can become law.
 Election of the President and Vice-President: The President and Vice-President of India
are elected by an Electoral College consisting of both Houses of Parliament and
members of the State Legislative Assemblies.
 Impeachment of the President: The process of impeachment of the President can be
initiated by either House of Parliament, but a two-thirds majority of both Houses is
required to remove the President from office.

32.Mention three Judicial, Constituent Electoral, Legislative, Administrative/Executive powers

of the Union Parliament.
Electoral Functions:
 Elected members of both Houses of Parliament and members of Legislative Assemblies
elect the President of India.
 The Vice-President is elected by members of both Houses of Parliament.
 The Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from among its members by a simple majority
of members present and voting.
Constituent Functions:
 Distribution of Legislative powers between the Union and states, I.e., the Union List,
State List and Concurrent List
 Representation of States in the Union Parliament. Such provisions protect States’ rights
and country’s Federal Setup.

Judicial Functions:
 The President can be removed from his office by Impeachment. A resolution accusing
the President may be initiated in either House of Parliament.
 A judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court cannot be removed by the President,
except on a Joint Adress by both Houses.
 The Parliament may punish a person for obstructing the work of Parliament or showing
disrespect for the House.

Administrative/Executive Functions:
 Formation of Government: The Union Parliament may have the power to select or
confirm the Prime Minister or Chief Executive, who leads the executive branch of
government.
 Vote of No-Confidence: The Union Parliament may have the power to remove the Prime
Minister or Chief Executive from office through a vote of no-confidence.
 Approval of Executive Appointments: The Union Parliament may have the power to
approve certain executive appointments, such as cabinet ministers, judges, and
ambassadors.

33.How does the Bill become an Act?

An ordinary bill may originate in either House of Parliament. But if the Bill passed by one House
is amended by another House, it goes back to the House where it originated. If the House
originating the Bill does not agree to the amendments, it shall be deemed that two Houses have
finally disagreed.

34.State three functions of the Speaker.

 Regulates debates and Proceeding of the Hose
 Disciplinary Functions
 Supervisory Control over Parliamentary Committees

35.What is casting Vote?

In India, the concept of casting vote refers to the power of the presiding officer of a legislative
body, such as the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, to cast a vote in case of a tie. The presiding officer
can use their casting vote to decide the outcome of the vote.
36.What is Impeachment?
The President can be removed from his office by Impeachment. A resolution accusing the
President may be initiated in either House of Parliament.

37.Explain the three types of Questions.

 Starred Questions: These are those to which a member wishes to have an oral answer
on the floor of the House. Such questions are distinguished by an asterisk.
Supplementary questions may be asked after replies to such questions are given by the
Ministers.
 Unstarred questions: These do not carry an asterisk mark. Answers to them are given in
a written form. No supplementary questions can be asked thereon.
 Short Notice Questions: These relate to a matter of urgent importance. Such a question
may be asked with notice shorter than 10 clear days.

38. Mention four special powers of Rajya Sabha.

 The proclamation of emergency by the president is passed by the Rajya Sabha if the Lok
Sabha is not in session or has been dissolved.
 The Rajya Sabha enjoys equal powers with Lok Sabha in matters like amendment of the
constitution, election, impeachment of the President, Vice President and the Judges of
the Supreme Court or High Court.
 No laws on any subjects of the State List can be made by the Lok Sabha without a 2/3 rd
majority of the Rajya Sabha.
 The approval of Rajya Sabha is necessary in case of creating one or more all India
services common to Union as well as the states.

39.What can the President do when a money bill is send to him?

When a money bill is presented to the president he may either give his assent to the bill or
withhold his assent to the bill. He cannot return the bill for reconsideration of the Houses of the
Parliament.