5 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Parliament (Polity). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–5 of 5 questions
UPSC 2020Polity · Parliament
Q1. With reference to the funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements are correct? 1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable sets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc. 2. A specified portion of each MP fund must benefit SC/ST populations. 3. MPLADS funds are sanctioned on yearly basis and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year. 4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all work under implementation every year. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The objective of the scheme is to enable MPs to recommend works of developmental nature with emphasis on the creation of durable community assets based on the locally felt needs to be taken up in their Constituencies.
Statement 2 is correct: M.Ps are to recommend every year, works costing at least 15% of the MPLADS entitlement for the year for areas inhabited by Scheduled Caste population and 7.5% for areas inhabited by S.T. population.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The released funds under the MPLAD scheme are non-lapsable i.e. if the money is not utilised, it gets carried to the next year subject to the fulfillment of certain criterion.
Statement 4 is correct: The district authority should visit and inspect at least 10% of the works every year. It is also expected to involve the MPs in such activities.
UPSC 2020Polity · Parliament
Q2. Consider the following statements: 1. According to the Constitution of India a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a State for six months even if he/she is not a member of the Legislature of that State. 2. According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment for five years is permanently disqualified from contesting an election even after his release from prison. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indian Constitution under article 173(a) lays down the following qualifications for a person to be chosen as a member of the state legislature, such as - He must be a citizen of India. He must take an oath or affirmation before the person the Election Commission has designated for this purpose. He must be not less than 30 years of age in the case of the legislative council and not less than 25 years of age in the case of the legislative assembly. while a one becomes voter at the age of 18. He must possess other qualifications prescribed by Parliament.
Statement 2 is incorrect: As per Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951, a person convicted of an offense and sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more will be disqualified from the date of conviction. This disqualification remains in effect for six additional years after their release. Hence, the disqualification is not permanent.
UPSC 2020Polity · Parliament
Q3. Consider the following statements: 1. The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such a place as he/she thinks fit. 2. The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct all three sessions. 3. There is no minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: As per Article 85(1), the Constitution gives the power to the President to summon a session of Parliament to meet at such a place as he/she thinks fit. The gap between two sessions must not exceed 6 months.
Statement 2 is incorrect: By convention, Parliament meets for three sessions in a year. However the Constitution does not stipulate it. Article 85(1) of the Indian Constitution states "The President shall from time to time summon each House of Parliament to meet, and six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session." This means that according to the Constitution of India, Parliament must meet at least once every six months, but the number of sessions is not fixed.
Statement 3 is correct: There is no provision about the minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year.
UPSC 2020Polity · Parliament
Q4. Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in
Explanation
Option (b) is correct: The Rajya Sabha enjoys equal powers with Lok Sabha in matters like - The impeachment of the President, Removal of the vice-president, Constitutional amendments, and Removal of the judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:
Rajya Sabha enjoys exclusive powers in the matter of creating new All India Services. In the matter of removal of government, Rajya Sabha has unequal status with respect to Lok Sabha. The Council of Ministers is responsible only to Lok Sabha and not to the Rajya Sabha. Thus, a no-confidence motion cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha has less or no powers in the matters of finance like making cut motions, passing money bill, etc. vis-a-vis Lok Sabha.
UPSC 2020Polity · Parliament
Q5. Along with the Budget, the Finance Minister also places other documents before the Parliament which include "The Macro Economic Framework Statement". The aforesaid document is presented because this is mandated by:
Explanation
The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003 aims to ensure fiscal discipline in India by setting targets for government borrowing, fiscal deficits, and public debt. Its objective is to reduce the fiscal deficit and maintain macroeconomic stability. As per the act the Central Government is required to lay before both Houses of Parliament the following fiscal policy statements every financial year, alongside the annual financial statement and demands for grants:
(d) Provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Parliament?
This page covers 5 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Parliament (Polity), asked from 1997 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Parliament?
Questions on Parliament (Polity) are available for 23 years, from 1997 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
