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 51–60 of 67 questions
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UPSC 2004Polity · Parliament
Q51. Consider the following statements: 1. The Speaker of Lok Sabha has the power to adjourn the House sine die but, on prorogation, it is only the President who can summon the House. 2. Unless sooner dissolved or there is an extension of the term, there is an automatic dissolution of the Lok Sabha by efflux of time, at the end of the period of five years, even if no formal order of dissolution is issued by the President. 3. The Speaker of Lok Sabha continues in office even after the dissolution of the House and until immediately before the first meeting of the House. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Adjournment sine die means the suspension of a sitting without specifying a date for the next meeting by the Speaker. It typically happens at the end of a session. Prorogation is the formal ending of a session by the President. After prorogation, the House can only be summoned again by the President.
Statement 2 is correct: According to article 83(2) of the Constitution of India, the term of the Lok Sabha is five years from the date of its first meeting, unless it is dissolved earlier. At the end of the five-year period it is automatically dissolved by efflux of time, even if no formal order of dissolution is issued by the President.
Statement 3 is correct: The Speaker of Lok Sabha continues to hold office even after the dissolution of the House. The Speaker remains in office until immediately before the first meeting of the newly constituted Lok Sabha.
UPSC 2004Polity · Parliament
Q52. Which one of the following statements is not correct?
Explanation
Article 75 of the constitution says that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha can remove the ministry from office by passing a no-confidence motion.
Option (a) is correct: There is no need to set out the grounds on which it is based. No confidence motion is introduced only in the Lok Sabha(Rajya Sabha not empowered entertain introduce this motion) and requires the support of at least 50 members to be admitted. The procedure is governed by Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. If 50 or more members support the motion, the Speaker schedules a date for debate and voting. If the motion is passed by a simple majority vote, it implies that the government has lost the confidence of the House and must resign.
UPSC 2004Polity · Parliament
Q53. With reference to Indian public finance, consider the following statements: 1. Disbursements from Public Accounts of India are subject to the Vote of the Parliament. 2. The Indian Constitution provides for the establishment of a Consolidated Fund, a Public Account and a Contingency Fund for each State. 3. Appropriations and disbursements under the Railway Budget are subject to the same form of parliamentary control as other appropriations and disbursements. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The receipts under Public accounts mainly consist of the receipts of National Savings Certificate, Provident funds and other deposits where the Govt. acts as a banker and returns the fund after completion of the contract. This account is operated by executive action. Therefore, the disbursement out of this account does not need authorization of the Parliament.
Statement 2 is correct: The Indian Constitution provides for the establishment of a Consolidated Fund and a Public Account of India and of the states under Article 266 and a Contingency Fund of India and for each State under Article 267.
Statement 3 is correct: The Railway Budget was presented separately from the General Budget till 2017. In the year when the question was asked The Railway Budget was presented separately and Appropriations and disbursements under the Railway Budget were subject to the same form of parliamentary control as other appropriations and disbursements.
UPSC 2003Polity · Parliament
Q54. The power to enlarge the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India with respect to any matter included in the Union List of Legislative Powers rests with:
Explanation
According to Article 138(1) of the Constitution of India, Parliament has the power to confer additional jurisdiction on the Supreme Court in matters included in the Union List. This means that if the Parliament deems it necessary, it can pass a law to grant the Supreme Court the authority to hear and decide on specific matters that fall within the jurisdiction of the union list. Also under article 138(2) the Supreme Court shall have such further jurisdiction and powers with respect to any matter as the Government of India and the Government of any State may confer by special agreement.
UPSC 2003Polity · Parliament
Q55. Which one of the following statements is correct?
Explanation
Statement (a) is incorrect: Under article 80(1) (a), The President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha from people who have special knowledge or practical experience in art, literature, science and social service. Before 2020 2 members were nominated from the Anglo-Indian community in Lok Sabha by the President. Statement (b) is incorrect: Before 2020, the President under article 331 nominated two members from the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha (and not Rajya Sabha) if the community was not adequately represented. This provision was abolished by the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, which came into effect in January 2020. Statement (c) is correct: A nominated member of either Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha has mostly the same rights and privileges as an elected member, including the right to be appointed as a Union minister. However, nominated members cannot vote in Presidential elections. Statement (d) is incorrect: Under article 55, only elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union Territories participate in the Presidential election.Therefore nominated members cannot vote in the Presidential election. However, both elected and nominated members can vote in Vice Presidential elections.
UPSC 2003Polity · Parliament
Q56. Consider the following statements: 1. The joint sitting of the two houses of the Parliament in India is sanctioned under Article 108 of the Constitution. 2. The first joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha was held in the year 1961. 3. The second joint sitting of the two Houses of Indian Parliament was held to pass the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill. Which of these statements is correct?
Explanation
Joint sitting is an extraordinary machinery provided by the constitution to resolve a deadlock between the two houses over the passage of a bill.
Statement 1 is correct: Article 108 of the Indian Constitution provides for a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament if after a bill is passed by one House and transmitted to the other House - The other House rejects this bill, or The Houses do not agree on the amendments made to the bill, or More than six months elapse with the bill being received by the other House without it being passed.
Statement 2 is correct: The First Joint sitting was held in May, 1961 in which Dowry Prohibition Bill 1960 was passed
Statement 3 is correct: The second joint sitting of the two Houses of the Indian Parliament was held to pass the Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill. The Bill had been passed by the Lok Sabha but was rejected by the Rajya Sabha. As a result, a joint sitting was convened to resolve the deadlock, and the Bill was passed.
UPSC 2003Polity · Parliament
Q57. Which one of the following Bills must be passed by each House of the Indian Parliamentary separately by special majority?
Explanation
According to Article 368 of the Indian Constitution, an amendment to the Constitution can be initiated only by introducing a Bill in either House of Parliament. The Bill must be passed in each House by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting (Special Majority). Once both Houses pass the Bill, it is presented to the President, who must give assent. Upon the President’s assent, the Constitution stands amended in accordance with the terms of the Bill.
UPSC 2003Polity · Parliament
Q58. Consider the following statements: 1. While members of the Rajya Sabha are associated with Committees on Public Accounts and Public Undertakings, members of Committee on Estimates are drawn entirely from the Lok Sabha 2. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs works under the overall direction of Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs 3. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs nominates Members of Parliament on Committees, Councils, Board and Commissions etc. set up by the Government of India in the various ministries. Which of these statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: For the Committees on Public Accounts and Public Undertakings, 15 members are elected from the Lok Sabha and 7 members from the Rajya Sabha. In the case of the Committee on Estimates, all the 30 members are elected from the Lok Sabha.
Statement 2 is correct: The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs renders secretarial assistance to the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, which recommends prorogation of both the Houses of the Parliament and the Government’s stand on Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions.
Statement 3 is correct: The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is responsible for nominating Members of Parliament (MPs) to various committees, councils, boards, and commissions established by the Government of India across different ministries.
UPSC 2002Polity · Parliament
Q59. In the case of election to the Lok Sabha, the amount of Security deposited for general category candidates and SC/ST category candidates respectively is:
Explanation
In 2002, the amount of security deposited for general category and SC/ST category candidates were 10,000 and 5,000 respectively for Lok Sabha elections. However, after some amendments in RPA Act 1951, Security Deposit Amounts (as of 2024) is:
1. Lok Sabha Elections (Lower House of Parliament):
General Category Candidates: 25,000 SC/ST Candidates: 12,500
2. State Legislative Assembly Elections:
General Category Candidates: 10,000 SC/ST Candidates: 5,000 A candidate’s security deposit is forfeited if they fail to secure more than one-sixth (16.67%) of the valid votes polled in their constituency.
UPSC 2002Polity · Parliament
Q60. The term of the Lok Sabha:
Explanation
Under Article 83(2) of the Indian Constitution, the term of the Lok Sabha is normally five years. Under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution, the President of India can proclaim an emergency on the grounds of war, external aggression and armed rebellion, external aggression, armed rebellion, or internal disturbance. During such a proclamation, the term of the Lok Sabha can be extended by one year at a time through a resolution passed in both Houses of Parliament with a special majority, which requires the support of at least two-thirds of the members present and voting in both Houses. This extension is valid only as long as the emergency remains in force and cannot continue beyond six months after the emergency ends.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
51
2004
(d) 1, 2 and 3
52
2004
(a) In the Lok Sabha, a no-confidence motion has to set out the grounds on which it is based
53
2004
(b) 2 and 3
54
2003
(c) The Parliament
55
2003
(c) There is no constitutional bar for a nominated member to be appointed as a Union minister.
56
2003
(d) 1, 2 and 3
57
2003
(d) Constitution Amendment Bill
58
2003
(d) 1, 2 and 3
59
2002
(c) 10,000 and 5,000
60
2002
(c) can be extended by one year at a time during the proclamation of emergency
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).
