Answer script

CIVICS

Ch-1: The Union Parliament

Short Answer Questions

Question 1
Name the three levels of government in a federal set up in India.
Answer
The three levels of government in a federal set up in India are-

1. Central Government
2. State Governments
3. Panchayats and Municipalities

Question 2
Name the law making body of the Union Government.
Answer
The Parliament is the law making body of the Union Government.
Question 3
Name the main constituents of the Indian Parliament.
Answer
The main constituents of the Indian Parliament are-

1. The President
2. Lok Sabha
3. Rajya Sabha

Question 4
Name the two Houses of the Indian Parliament.
Answer
The two Houses of the Indian Parliament are-

1. Lok Sabha 2. Rajya Sabha

Question 5
Who determines the salaries and allowances of the Members of Parliament?
Answer
The Parliament determines the salaries and allowances of the Members of Parliament.
Question 6
What is the maximum strength of members of the Lok Sabha?
Answer
The maximum strength of members of the Lok Sabha is 550.
Question 7
Who is empowered to summon and to dissolve the Lok Sabha?
Answer
The President of India is empowered to summon and to dissolve the Lok Sabha.
Question 8
How are the members of the Lok Sabha elected?
Answer
The members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election on the basis of universal adult
franchise. Thus every person who has attained the age of 18 years is entitled to vote provided
he is not otherwise disqualified.
Question 9
What is the quorum to hold the meetings of the Lok Sabha?
Answer
The quorum of the Lok Sabha is one-tenth of the total membership of each house. This means
that the House cannot conduct its proceedings and pass Bills and resolutions without the
presence of at least one-tenth of its total membership.
Question 10
If the strength of a House is 230, what would be the quorum?
Answer
The quorum of the House will be 23 members.
Question 11
What happens when the quorum of a House is not met?
Answer
When the quorum of a House is not met, the House cannot conduct its proceedings and pass
Bills and resolutions. The Speaker may adjourn the House or suspend the meeting until there
is a requisite quorum.
Question 12
How are the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha elected?
Answer
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected from among its own members soon after the newly
elected House meets for the first time.
The Deputy Speaker is elected from among its own members in the same way as the Speaker.
Question 13
Who presides over the meetings of the Lok Sabha?
Answer
The Speaker presides over the meetings of the Lok Sabha. In the absence of the Speaker, the
Deputy Speaker presides over the meetings of the Lok Sabha.
Question 14
Name the sessions of the Lok Sabha.
Answer
The Lok Sabha has three sessions in a year —

1. The Budget Session (February-May)

2. The Monsoon Session (July-August)
3. The Winter Session (November-December)

Question 15
Mention the occasion on which the President addresses a joint session of Parliament.
Answer
No bill can become a law unless agreed to by both the Houses. If there is disagreement, the
President may summon both the Houses of Parliament in a joint meeting.
Question 16
Who presides over the joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament?
Answer
The joint sitting of the Parliament is presided over by the Speaker or, in his absence, by the
Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha or in his absence, the Deputy-Chairman of the Rajya
Sabha.
Question 17
Who presides over the Rajya Sabha?
Answer
The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He presides over
its meetings.
The Rajya Sabha elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members. In the absence of the
Chairman, he performs all functions and duties of the Chairman.
Question 18
Who elects the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
Answer
The Rajya Sabha elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members.
Question 19
Who presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha in the absence of the Vice-President of
India?
Answer
The Deputy Chairman presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha in the absence of the
Vice-President of India.
Question 20
Mention any one matter where the Rajya Sabha enjoys equal powers with the Lok Sabha.
Answer
The Rajya Sabha enjoys equal powers with the Lok Sabha in important matters like the
impeachment of the President.
Question 21
State one aspect in which the Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha.
Answer
The Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha in financial matters and in terms of
the responsibility of the Council of Ministers, which are exclusively in the domain of the Lok
Sabha.
Question 22
What do we mean when we say that the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body?
Answer
The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House as it cannot be dissolved like the Lok Sabha. Each
member of the Rajya Sabha is elected for a period of six years. One-third of the total
members of the House retire after every two years. Members can be re-elected if they so
desire and if their electors support them.
Question 23
What is the term of office of a Rajya Sabha member?
Answer
Each member of the Rajya Sabha is elected for a period of six years. One-third of the total
members of the House retire after every two years.
Question 24
Name the body which elects the Rajya Sabha Members.
Answer
Rajya Sabha Members are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of
each State.
Question 25
What is the maximum gap allowed between two parliamentary sessions?
Answer
The maximum gap between two parliamentary sessions cannot exceed 6 months.
Question 26
Who is the ex-officio chairperson of the Rajya Sabha?
Answer
The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
Question 27
What is an Adjournment Motion?
Answer
An Adjournment Motion means a proposal to lay aside all other business and take up a
'definite matter of urgent importance'. Such a Motion leads to the interruption of normal
business of the House. Adjournment Motions are generally allowed on subjects such as a
railway accident resulting in the death of several persons, a daring dacoity, some natural
calamity like a devastating flood or a tornado, communal tension, etc.
Question 28
Name the lists which distribute the Subjects of legislation between the Union and the States.
Answer
The lists which distribute the Subjects of legislation between the Union and the States are-

1. The Union List

2. The State List
3. The Concurrent List

Question 29
Mention any one of the circumstances under which the seat of a member of the Parliament
becomes vacant.
Answer
The seat of a member of either House of Parliament becomes vacant if a member resigns his
seat by writing to the Speaker or to the Chairman, as the case may be.
Question 30
Mention any one provision of the Constitution which clearly establishes the supremacy of the
Lok Sabha with regard to money bills.
Answer
One provision of the Constitution which clearly establishes the supremacy of the Lok Sabha
with regard to money bills is that a money bill can only originate in the Lok Sabha.
Question 31
What happens when a Money Bill is not returned by the Rajya Sabha in 14 days?
Answer
If a Money Bill is not returned by the Rajya Sabha within 14 days of its receipt, it shall be
deemed to have been passed by both Houses in the form in which it was passed by the Lok
Sabha.
Question 32
Which bodies have the right to legislate on subjects in the Concurrent List? What happens in
the case of conflict between such laws?
Answer
In India, the Parliament and the State legislature both have the power to legislate the subjects
of concurrent list. In the case of conflict between such laws, the central law has been
designed to prevail over the state law.
Question 33
Who decides whether a bill is a money bill or not?
Answer
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides whether a bill is a money bill or not.
Question 34
Mention any one circumstance when the Parliament can make laws on a state subject.
Answer
The Parliament can make laws on a state subject during the proclamation of an emergency.
Question 35
If the President does not give his assent to a Bill, what happens?
Answer
The Bill is sent back to the Parliament for reconsideration. However, if the Bill is passed
again with or without amendments the President is bound to give his assent to the Bill.
Structured Questions
Question 1
India has opted for a federal system of government with a strong unitary bias. In this context
answer the following questions:
(a) List any three federal features of government in India.
(b) List any two conditions when the Parliament can make laws on Subjects in the State List.
(c) Write short notes on any two unitary features of the government in India.
Answer
(a) Three federal features of government in India are:

1. There is a division of legislative and administrative powers between the Union and
the State Governments and none of them could violate the limitations imposed by the
Constitution. The Supreme Court stands at the head of Judiciary to safeguard this
distribution of powers and to prevent any action which violates the limitations
imposed by the Constitution.
2. The States have been given the right to participate in the functioning of the
government. India has a bicameral legislature, i.e., the Lok Sabha and the Rajya
Sabha. The Rajya Sabha mainly comprises representatives of the States.
3. No system of federation can be successful unless both the Union and the States have
adequate financial resources to enable them to discharge their duties. The Constitution
of India has made provisions for the distribution of revenue between the Centre and
the States. This distribution has ensured equitable distribution of the financial
resources between the two units.

(b) The Parliament can make laws on Subjects in the State List:

1. During the Proclamation of an Emergency.

2. When the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority that a subject in
the State List has assumed national importance.

(c) Two unitary features of the government in India are described below:

1. A Single Constitution for Union and States — The States in India have not been
given any right to make their own Constitution. The framers of the Constitution have
provided for a single common and unified Constitution, both for the Centre and the
States.
2. Single Citizenship — The Indian Constitution provides for single citizenship of India
which is common to all the people of various States and Union Territories.

Question 2
With reference to the powers of the Union Parliament, state the following:
(a) Three of its Legislative Powers.
(b) Three of its Financial Powers.
(c) Four of its Administrative or Executive Powers.
Answer
(a) Three legislative powers of the Union Parliament are-

1. Matters in the Union List — The Parliament has exclusive powers to make laws on
all the subjects mentioned in the Union List, including important subjects like
Defence, Banking, Communications, Foreign Affairs, etc.
2. Matters in the Concurrent List — Along with the State Legislative Assemblies, the
Parliament can make laws on the subjects listed in the Concurrent List, for example
education, forests, adoption, succession, trade union. If there is a conflict between the
Union Parliament and the State Legislature on any law in this list, the Union Law will
prevail.
3. Residuary Powers — The Parliament possesses residuary powers. It means that it
can make laws with respect to all those matters which are not mentioned in any of the
three Lists — the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List.

(b) Three financial powers of the Union Parliament are-

1. The Budget — The Parliament passes the Union Budget containing the estimates of
receipts and expenditure of the Government for a financial year. The Railway Budget
was integrated with the Union budget from 2017-18.
2. Supplementary Grants — If the amount authorised for the current financial year is
not sufficient, the Government may make a fresh demand known as the
'Supplementary Grant.'
3. Salaries — The salaries and allowances of MPs and Ministers are determined by
Parliament.

(c) Four executive powers of the Union Parliament are-

1. Vote of No-Confidence — If a Government acts against the Constitutional

provisions, it can be voted out of office by passing a vote of no-confidence against the
Prime Minister, or the Ministry as a whole or any of its members. In such a case, the
whole Ministry has to resign.
2. Adjournment Motion — Motion for adjournment is aimed at censuring the acts of
omission and commission of the Ministers.
3. Other Motions of Censure — The Parliament exercises its control over the
Government by other motions which, if passed, amount to no-confidence. They
include: motions of censure against a minister, rejection of a Government Bill,
passing of a private member's bill against the wishes of the Government, etc.
4. Monetary Controls — During the budget session a cut motion may be moved.
Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts ensures that public money is spent in
accordance with Parliament's decision. It examines reports of the Comptroller and
Auditor-General of India.
Question 3
With reference to the composition of the Lok Sabha answer the following questions:
(a) What is the maximum strength fixed by the Constitution? What is the term of the House?
By whom and on whose advice can the Lok Sabha be dissolved?
(b) State any three qualifications needed to contest for the Lok Sabha seat.
(c) Give two reasons to justify how the Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha.
Answer
(a) The composition of the Lok Sabha
The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha, as provided by the Constitution is 550. Out of this,

1. not more than 530 members shall represent the States

2. not more than 20 members shall represent the Union Territories

The term of the Lok Sabha

1. According to the Constitution the term of the Lok Sabha is five years.
2. However, it can be dissolved before the expiry of its normal term by the President on
the advice of the Prime Minister.
3. During the proclamation of an emergency the period of the Lok Sabha may be
extended by Parliament for one year at a time.
4. The new Lok Sabha must be elected within six months after the national emergency is
lifted.

(b) Conditions needed for a person to be a member of Lok Sabha are:

1. He should be an Indian citizen.

2. He should be at least 25 years of age.
3. He should have his name in the electoral rolls in some part of the country.

(c) The Lok Sabha has special powers which make it more powerful than the Rajya Sabha.
These special powers are:

1. Motions of No-confidence against the government can only be introduced and passed
in the Lok Sabha. If passed by a majority vote, the Prime Minister and the Council of
Ministers resign collectively. The Rajya Sabha has no power over such a motion, and
hence no real power over the executive.
2. Money bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, and upon being passed, are sent
to the Rajya Sabha, where it can be deliberated on for up to 14 days.

Question 4
With reference to the powers and functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha state the
following:
(a) Any three functions to regulate proceedings of the House.
(b) Any three disciplinary functions.
(c) Any four administrative functions.
Answer
(a) Three functions of the Speaker which regulate proceedings of the House are-

1. The Speaker presides over the meetings of the House. All speeches and remarks are
addressed to the Speaker. He allots time for discussion.
2. The Speaker interprets the rules of procedure of the House. His decision in all
parliamentary matters is final.
3. All Bills passed by the House are signed by him before they are sent to the Rajya
Sabha for its consideration or to the President for his assent.

(b) Three disciplinary functions of the Speaker are-

1. The Speaker maintains order in the House. When members become unruly, he may
order them to withdraw. He may suspend a member, if he/she disregards the authority
of the Chair. In case of grave disorder, he can adjourn the House.
2. In case the words used by a member are indecent or unparliamentary, the Speaker
may order that such words be expunged from the proceedings of the House.
3. The Speaker decides whether there is a case for a matter relating to a breach of
privilege or contempt of the House.

(c) Four administrative functions of the Speaker are-

1. The Speaker receives all petitions and documents in the House.

2. He communicates the decisions of the House to the concerned authorities.
3. He regulates the admission of visitors and Press correspondents to the galleries of the
House.
4. He is responsible for keeping records of the proceedings of the House.

Question 5
With reference to the powers of the Rajya Sabha, state the following:
(a) Any two of its legislative and one financial power.
(b) Any three of its administrative powers.
(c) Any two of its exclusive (special) powers.
Answer
(a) Two legislative powers of Rajya Sabha are-

1. Except for Money Bills, all bills can be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
2. None of the bills can become a law unless agreed to by both Houses of the
Parliament. In case of conflict between the two houses of the Parliament, a joint
sitting is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

One financial power of Rajya Sabha is that it can delay a money bill by a maximum of 14
days.
(b) Three administrative powers of Rajya Sabha are-

1. Rajya Sabha can make laws on all the subjects mentioned in the Union and
Concurrent lists.
2. It can punish a person for obstructing the work of the House or showing disrespect to
the House.
3. It can remove the President from office through the procedure of impeachment.

(c) Two exclusive powers of Rajya Sabha are-

1. Though the Parliament cannot, in normal times, make laws on a states subject, the
Constitution states that under Article 249, the Rajya Sabha may, by resolution adopted
by two-thirds majority empower the Parliament should make laws with respect to a
matter in the State List. The Lok Sabha has no authority to assert itself in such
matters.
2. The other special power enjoyed by the Rajya Sabha is that it may declare that the
creation of new All-India Services be made in the national interest. Thereupon
Parliament may create new services.

Question 6
With reference to the differences in the powers of two Houses answer the following
questions:
(a) What is the difference in the term of office between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha?
(b) What is the procedure that should be followed if there is a deadlock between the two
Houses of the Parliament on a non-money bill?
(c) What is the difference between a money bill and a non-money bill?
Answer
(a) Term of Lok Sabha —

1. According to the Constitution the term of the Lok Sabha is five years.
2. However, it can be dissolved before the expiry of its normal term by the President on
the advice of the Prime Minister.
3. During the proclamation of an emergency the period of the Lok Sabha may be
extended by Parliament for one year at a time.
4. The new Lok Sabha must be elected within six months after the national emergency is
lifted.

Term of Rajya Sabha —

1. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House.

2. It cannot be dissolved like the Lok Sabha.
3. Each member of the Rajya Sabha is elected for a period of six years.
4. One-third of the total members of the House retire after every two years.
5. Members can be re-elected if they so desire and if their electors support them.
(b) Ordinary Bills may originate in either House of the Parliament.

1. If there is disagreement between the two Houses, the bill is referred to a joint-sitting
of both the Houses.
2. In such cases both the Houses are placed on an equal footing.
3. However, the Rajya Sabha is in a weaker position, since the total membership of
Rajya Sabha is less than even half of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
4. Besides, the joint session is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

(c) The differences between a money bill and a non-money bill are as follows:
Non-money bill Money Bill

It can be introduced in either It can be introduced only

Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. in Lok Sabha.

Ordinary Bill can be Money Bill can be

introduced without the introduced only on the
recommendation of the recommendation of the
President. President.

Either a Minister or private Only a Minister is allowed

member can introduce to introduce Money Bill in
ordinary bill. the Parliament.

If the Ordinary Bill Money Bill requires the

originated in the Lok Sabha, certification of the Lok
then it does not require the Sabha Speaker when
approval of the speaker when transmitted to Rajya
transmitted to Rajya Sabha. Sabha.

The Money Bill can be

The Rajya Sabha has the
detained for a maximum
power to detain the Ordinary
period of 14 days only by
Bill for a period of 6 months.
the Rajya Sabha.

Money Bill cannot be

returned for
Ordinary Bill can be returned
reconsideration by the
for reconsideration, accepted
President. The President
or rejected by the President.
can only accept or reject
it.

In case of Money Bill, if

In case of deadlock on
there is a deadlock, there
Ordinary Bill there is a
is no provision of a joint
provision of a joint sitting.
sitting.
Picture Study
Question 1
This picture is a symbol of our democratic rule. In this context, answer the following:

(a) How does the Parliament symbolise that the people of India make laws for themselves?
(b) Suppose you want to become a Member of Parliament, what qualifications should you
have? Do you have all of them just now? Why?
(c) Imagine that when you grow up, you will be given a chance to be an MP. Would you like
to be an MP in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha? Why?
Answer
(a) The Parliament symbolises that the people of India make laws for themselves as both the
houses of the Parliament have citizens of India as their members.

1. Lok Sabha — The Lok Sabha is the House of the People. Its members are directly
elected by the people of India.
2. Rajya Sabha — The members of Rajya Sabha fall into two categories - nominated
and elected. The 12 nominated members are nominated by the President from among
persons having special knowledge or practical experience in matters such as literature,
science, art and social service. The remaining 238 representatives of each State in the
Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of each
State in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a
single transferable vote.

(b) Conditions needed for a person to be a member of Lok Sabha are:

1. He should be an Indian citizen.

2. He should be at least 25 years of age to become a member of Lok Sabha and atleast
30 years of age to become a member of Rajya Sabha.
3. He should have his name in the electoral rolls in some part of the country.
4. He should not be an insolvent i.e., he should not be in debt and should have the ability
to meet his financial commitments.
5. He should not hold any office of profit under the government.
6. He should not be a proclaimed criminal.
7. He should not be of unsound mind.

No, I do not have all the qualifications just now because-

1. My age is less than 25 years.

2. My name is not in the electoral rolls in any part of the country.
(c) I would like to be MP in Lok Sabha because the members of the Lok Sabha are directly
elected by the people of the country and hence, Lok Sabha has special powers which make it
more powerful than the Rajya Sabha.

Thinking Skills
Question 1
Suppose you want to be a Member of the Lok Sabha and your name is enrolled in the
electoral roll in another State and you wish to contest in the election from the State where you
are residing now. Can you still contest the elections for the Lok Sabha? What other
qualifications you need to have to contest the elections?
Answer
Yes I can still contest the election for the Lok Sabha from the State where I am residing now.
Other qualifications needed are:

1. I should be at least 25 years of age.

2. I should not be an insolvent.
3. I should not hold any office of profit under the government.
4. I should not be a proclaimed criminal.
5. I should not be of unsound mind.

Question 2
Suppose you are a member of the Opposition Party in the Lok Sabha. You want to express
lack of confidence in the ruling government. Which motion will you move in the Parliament
to do so? Which procedure you will follow and what could be its final outcome?
Answer
I will move the No-Confidence Motion in the Parliament to express my lack of confidence in
the ruling government. In order to move the Motion, I will gather support of at least 50
members of the opposition parties so that the House grants leave to move the Motion. Within
10 days of granting leave, the Motion will be taken up for discussion. On conclusion of the
debate, the Speaker puts the Motion to vote. If the Motion is passed the Government has to
resign.
Question 3
Your father is a renowned scientist. He has neither contested nor won any election to the
Rajya Sabha. But he has become a member of the Rajya Sabha. How is this possible? Give
reasons to support your answer.
Answer
The Rajya Sabha has 12 members who are nominated by the President from among persons
having special knowledge or practical experience in matters such as literature, science, art
and social service. The principle of nomination is aimed at having distinguished persons in
the Upper Chamber.
NOTE