67 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Parliament make this the largest Polity chapter here, spread across 23 exam years from 1997 to 2025. UPSC keeps returning to Money Bill and Finance Bill, joint sittings, parliamentary committees, the Speaker, and the special powers of the Rajya Sabha. Every explanation names the Article or rule that decides the answer.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 31–40 of 67 questions
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UPSC 2015Polity · Parliament
Q31. When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by
Explanation
As per Article 108. The President of India can call for a joint sitting if the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha disagree on a bill). In the case of a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament, the bill is required to be passed by a simple majority of the members present and voting. It is extraordinary machinery provided by the Constitution to resolve a deadlock between the two Houses over the passage of a bill:-
1. If the bill is rejected by the other House;
2. If the Houses have finally disagreed as to the amendments to be made in the bill; or
3. If more than six months have elapsed from the date of the receipt of the bill by the other House without the bill being passed by it.
Additional insight:
Joint sitting applies only to ordinary and financial bills, not money bills or constitutional amendment bills. If the bill (under dispute) has already lapsed due to the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, no joint sitting can be summoned. But, the joint sitting can be held if the Lok Sabha is dissolved after the President has notified his intention to summon such a sitting (as the bill does not lapse in this case). The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over the joint sitting. In their absence, the Deputy Speaker takes charge, followed by the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. If none are available, members present elect a presiding officer. A joint sitting requires a quorum of one-tenth of the total members of both Houses and is governed by the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha, not the Rajya Sabha. The Constitution has specified that at a joint sitting, new amendments to the bill cannot be proposed except in two cases:
Those amendments that have caused final disagreement between the Houses; and Those amendments that might have become necessary due to the delay in the passage of the bill. Joint sitting of the two Houses has been invoked only thrice. The bills that have been passed at joint sittings are:
Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1960.
Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1977.
Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002.
UPSC 2014Polity · Parliament
Q32. Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India: 1. There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India. 2. A motion of No-Confidence can be introduced in the Lok Sabha only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Constitution of India does not explicitly mention the No-Confidence Motion. The Constitution provides the framework for parliamentary procedures but leaves the details of the procedures, including the No-Confidence Motion, to the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha. The motion of No Confidence is a part of parliamentary practice that allows the Lok Sabha to hold the government accountable by voting whether or not they have confidence in the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
Statement 2 is correct: A No-Confidence Motion can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha (the Lower House of Parliament). According to the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha, the motion requires the support of at least 50 members to be introduced. The Rajya Sabha (the Upper House) does not have the provision to introduce a No-Confidence Motion against the government. A No-Confidence Motion is a tool used to test the majority support for the government.
Additional insight:
No-Confidence motion need not state the reasons for its adoption in the Lok Sabha. It can be moved against the entire council of ministers only. If it is passed in the Lok Sabha, the council of ministers must resign from office. The First no-confidence motion was moved during the third Lok Sabha in 1963 when Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister. Lok Sabha’s Rule 198 mentions the procedure for a motion of no-confidence. So a no-confidence motion can only be passed in Lok Sabha as Rule 198 allows any member of the House to give a written notice. In case there are 50 MPs in favour, a date for discussing the motion is assigned. If at all during the debate and the eventual vote, which has to take place within 10 days of the notice, majority of the members vote in favour of the motion then the motion is passed and the government in power has to vacate the office. According to most parliamentary procedures, a minimum of six months should pass between the introduction of two no-confidence motions.
UPSC 2014Polity · Parliament
Q33. Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?
Explanation
The Estimates Committee was set up in 1950, on the recommendation of John Mathai. It consists of 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha and it is the largest committee. These members are elected by the Lok Sabha every year from amongst its own members, according to the principles of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. The minister cannot be the members of the estimates committee. The chairman of the committee is appointed by the Speaker from amongst its members and he is invariably from the ruling party. Its function is to examine the budget and also suggest economies of public expenditure. It also suggests an alternative policy of bringing policy of economies.
UPSC 2014Polity · Parliament
Q34. Which of the following is/are the function/ functions of the Cabinet Secretariat? 1. Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings 2. Secretariat assistance to Cabinet Committees 3. Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: A cabinet secretary is appointed for a fixed period of time, usually two years. A Cabinet Secretary holds the responsibility of preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings.
Statement 2 is correct: The Prime Minister has direct control over the cabinet secretariat. The Cabinet Secretary is the administrative head of the secretariat. It also gives secretariat assistance to the Cabinet Committees.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Cabinet Secretariat facilitates government decision-making by providing interministerial coordination. However, the Ministry of Finance is entrusted with the allocation of financial resources to the Ministries.
UPSC 2013Polity · Parliament
Q35. Consider the following statements The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts: 1. Consists of not more than 25 Members of the Lok Sabha. 2. Scrutinises appropriation and finance accounts of the Government. 3. Examines the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts consists of 22 members of which 15 are from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha. It is formed every year with its members serving one-year terms in office. The chairperson of the PAC is usually a member of the opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
Statement 2 is correct: It scrutinises appropriation and finance accounts of the Government. The Committee ensures that the government does not misuse or misappropriate public funds.
Statement 3 is correct: The CAG audits the accounts of the government and submits reports to Parliament which is scrutinized by PAC to ensure that public funds are being used efficiently and according to the law. CAG acts as a guide, friend and philosopher of the committee.
UPSC 2013Polity · Parliament
Q36. Consider the following statements: 1. The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament. 2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India. 3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per Article 75(3) of the constitution "the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People" not to the whole Parliament which includes both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
Statement 2 is correct: Article 75(2) of the Constitution of India mandates that the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.
Statement 3 is correct: According to Article 78, it is the duty of the Prime Minister to communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the union and proposals for legislation.
UPSC 2013Polity · Parliament
Q37. What will follow if a Money Bill is substantially amended by the Rajya Sabha?
Explanation
Money Bill is defined under Article 110 of the Indian Constitution. It is concerned with financial matters like the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax. It is introduced only on the recommendation of the President and only in Lok Sabha. It must be passed in Lok Sabha by a simple majority of all members present and voting. Following this, it may be sent to the Rajya Sabha for its recommendations. Rajya Sabha has limited power with respect to money bills so no chance of any disagreement. Rajya Sabha can keep it for a maximum period of 14 days.The Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject the bill. It should return the bill with or without recommendation. Lok Sabha may accept or reject recommendation.
UPSC 2013Polity · Parliament
Q38. The Parliament can make any law for whole or any part of India for implementing International treaties:
Explanation
The Parliament is empowered to make laws on all matters listed in the Union List and the Concurrent List of the Constitution. Under Article 253 of the Constitution of India, Parliament can make laws for the whole or any part of India to give effect to international treaties, agreements, or conventions, and this can be done without the consent of any State. Article 253 says that it can also formulate laws on any matter pertaining to the State List if it is deemed necessary for the implementation of international treaties or agreements concluded with foreign nations. This is a unique provision where Parliament can legislate beyond its usual jurisdiction without requiring the consent of the states.
UPSC 2012Polity · Parliament
Q39. In the Parliament of India, the purpose of an adjournment motion is
Explanation
Adjournment Motion is one of the devices of Parliamentary proceedings. The purpose of an Adjournment Motion is to raise an issue of urgent public importance that requires immediate discussion in the Parliament. It is typically used to bring up issues related to national or regional significance, like natural disasters, economic crises, or controversial government actions. The motion requires the approval of the Speaker or Chairman, and if allowed, the matter is debated in the House. It needs the support of 50 members to be admitted.
UPSC 2012Polity · Parliament
Q40. Consider the following statements: 1. Union Territories are not represented in the Rajya Sabha. 2. It is within the purview of the Chief Election Commissioner to adjudicate the election disputes. 3. According to the Constitution of India, the Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: As per Article 80 of the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha consists of members nominated members (not more than 12) and representatives of States (indirectly elected by legislative councils of states) and Union Territories (to be chosen in such manner as parliament may prescribe by law). U.T of NCT of Delhi and Puducherry have representation in Rajya sabha who are chosen through indirect election by their respective legislative assemblies.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) does not have the authority to adjudicate election disputes. While the ECI supervises elections, disputes are handled by Election Tribunals or High Courts. The Supreme Court and High Courts have the power to adjudicate such matters. Election Petitions under Part III of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections Act, 1952 are also filed directly in the Supreme Court. Disputes relating to the election of members of Parliament and state legislatures lie within the original jurisdiction of High Courts.
Statement 3 is incorrect: According to Article 79 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha and the President of India.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
31
2015
(a) a simple majority of members present and voting
32
2014
(c) Both 1 and 2
33
2014
(b) The committee on Estimates
34
2014
(c) 1 and 2 only
35
2013
(b) 2 and 3 only
36
2013
(b) 2 and 3 only
37
2013
(a) The Lok Sabha may still proceed with the Bill, accepting or not accepting the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha
38
2013
(d) without the consent of any State
39
2012
(a) to allow a discussion on a definite matter of urgent public importance.
40
2012
(d) None
What UPSC has tested in Parliament
A Money Bill (Article 110) can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes, within fourteen days.
A joint sitting under Article 108 is not available for a Money Bill or a Constitution Amendment Bill.
There is no mention of a no-confidence motion in the Constitution; it arises from collective responsibility and the Lok Sabha’s rules.
The Rajya Sabha can empower Parliament to legislate on a State List subject by a two-thirds resolution of members present and voting (Article 249).
The Estimates Committee is the largest parliamentary committee; the Speaker appoints the Public Accounts Committee’s chairman.
A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its dissolution; a bill passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha also lapses.
Four Delimitation Commissions have been constituted so far, under the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Parliament?
This page covers 67 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Parliament (Polity), asked from 1997 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
What is a Money Bill and who can introduce it?
A bill dealing only with matters in Article 110, such as taxation and Consolidated Fund spending. It can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha on the President’s recommendation, and the Speaker certifies whether a bill is a Money Bill.
When can a joint sitting of Parliament be held?
Under Article 108, when the Houses disagree on an ordinary or financial bill after specified delays. It is not allowed for Money Bills or Constitution Amendment Bills. Only three joint sittings have occurred: 1961, 1978 and 2002.
Which is the largest committee of Parliament?
The Estimates Committee, with thirty members, all drawn from the Lok Sabha. The Public Accounts Committee has twenty-two members, fifteen from the Lok Sabha and seven from the Rajya Sabha.
What happens to pending bills when the Lok Sabha is dissolved?
A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses, as does a bill passed by the Lok Sabha and pending in the Rajya Sabha. A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha but not passed by the Lok Sabha does not lapse.
Which special powers does the Rajya Sabha have?
It can pass a resolution by two-thirds of members present and voting that Parliament legislate on a State List subject in the national interest (Article 249), and can authorise the creation of new All-India Services (Article 312).
