Q1. The Constitution of India provides for a bicameral Parliament. Which Article explicitly states that the Parliament of the Union shall consist of the President and two Houses to be known respectively as the Council of States and the House of the People?
Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha: RAS Prelims MCQs
100 RAS Prelims MCQs on Parliament cover the composition of both Houses, the election of members, the legislative process, Money Bills and Financial Bills, the no-confidence motion and Parliament’s power to make laws on State subjects. The articles and numbers are asked directly, and the statements test the exact difference between the Houses.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 100 questions
Q2. According to Article 122 of the Constitution, the validity of any proceedings in Parliament shall not be called in question on the ground of any alleged irregularity of procedure. This provision primarily ensures which of the following principles?
Explanation
Article 122 provides a constitutional safeguard for parliamentary proceedings. It prevents the judiciary from questioning the validity of legislative actions based on alleged procedural irregularities. This reinforces the separation of powers between the legislature and the courts. It ensures that the internal conduct of Parliament remains independent and free from judicial interference regarding its established procedural rules.
Q3. Read the following statements regarding the composition of Parliament carefully:
Statement I: The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is fixed at 250, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President.
Statement II: The Constitution prescribes that the nominated members must have special knowledge or practical experience in the fields of literature, science, art, and social service.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is fixed at 250, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President.
Statement II: The Constitution prescribes that the nominated members must have special knowledge or practical experience in the fields of literature, science, art, and social service.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Rajya Sabha has a constitutionally defined maximum strength of 250 members. Among these, the President nominates 12 individuals who possess exceptional expertise. The Constitution requires these nominees to have significant knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, or social service. Both statements accurately reflect the composition and nomination criteria for the upper house of the Indian Parliament.
Q4. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the general provisions for Parliament.
Explanation
The Attorney General of India possesses the unique right to participate in parliamentary proceedings. This official can speak and take part in the business of either House or any committee. However, the Constitution explicitly denies the Attorney General the right to vote in these proceedings. This distinction ensures the officer provides legal guidance without influencing the legislative voting outcomes.
Q5. Match the items in List I with those in List II:
| Constitutional Provision | Article |
|---|---|
| A. Constitution of Parliament | i. Article 122 |
| B. Composition of the Council of States | ii. Article 79 |
| C. Composition of the House of the People | iii. Article 81 |
| D. Courts not to inquire into proceedings of Parliament | iv. Article 80 |
Explanation
The Indian Constitution specifies various legislative structures through specific articles. Article 79 defines the composition of the Parliament as a whole. Article 80 details the membership of the Council of States, while Article 81 focuses on the House of the People. Article 122 ensures that judicial bodies do not interfere with the internal procedural validity of the parliamentary proceedings.
Q6. The principle of territorial representation is followed for the election of members to the Lok Sabha. Which of the following best defines this principle?
Explanation
Territorial representation is a system used for electing members to the Lok Sabha. In this method, the entire country is partitioned into specific geographical zones called constituencies. Each of these defined areas elects exactly one representative to serve in the lower house. This ensures that every region has a direct voice in the national legislature based on its population.
Q7. The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha provided by the Constitution is 552. After the Constitution (104th Amendment) Act, 2019, what is the effective maximum number of elected seats in the Lok Sabha?
Explanation
The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2019 significantly changed the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha. It abolished the provision that allowed the President to nominate two members from the Anglo-Indian community. Consequently, the maximum number of elected seats is now 550. This change aligns the House composition with contemporary demographic realities while maintaining the constitutional ceiling for representatives.
Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the composition and election of the Lok Sabha:
I. The voting age was reduced from 21 years to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988.
II. Seats are reserved in the Lok Sabha for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes on the basis of population.
III. The Constitution provides for the reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha as per the original unamended text of 1950.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The voting age was reduced from 21 years to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988.
II. Seats are reserved in the Lok Sabha for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes on the basis of population.
III. The Constitution provides for the reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha as per the original unamended text of 1950.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The voting age in India was lowered from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Amendment Act. Furthermore, the Constitution mandates the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes based on their population ratios. However, there was no original provision for women’s reservation in 1950. Thus, only the statements concerning voting age and caste-based reservations are correct.
Q9. Identify the correct pair regarding the qualifications for a person to be chosen as a member of the Lok Sabha.
Explanation
A candidate contesting for a seat in the Lok Sabha must meet specific legal criteria. One essential requirement is being registered as an elector in a parliamentary constituency. While age and citizenship are also factors, the minimum age is 25 years. The registration as a voter ensures the candidate is a recognized participant in the democratic process within the country.
Q10. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The normal term of the Lok Sabha is five years, but it can be extended during a National Emergency.
Reason (R): The extension of the term of the Lok Sabha can be done by a law of Parliament for one year at a time, for any length of time.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The normal term of the Lok Sabha is five years, but it can be extended during a National Emergency.
Reason (R): The extension of the term of the Lok Sabha can be done by a law of Parliament for one year at a time, for any length of time.
Explanation
The Lok Sabha usually serves a five-year term, but this duration can be modified during a National Emergency. Parliament has the authority to extend its own life through legislative action. Such extensions occur for one year at a time and can continue as long as the emergency persists. Therefore, both statements are true, and the reasoning accurately explains the assertion.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Article 79 |
| 2 | (a) Separation of powers between the legislature and the judiciary |
| 3 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. |
| 4 | (d) The Attorney General of India has the right to vote in the proceedings of either House of Parliament. |
| 5 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i |
| 6 | (b) The country is divided into geographical areas and one representative is elected from each area. |
| 7 | (b) 550 |
| 8 | (a) I and II only |
| 9 | (c) Voter registration - Must be registered as an elector for a parliamentary constituency |
| 10 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
Key facts from Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- Article 79 provides for a Parliament consisting of the President and two Houses; the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is 550.
- Elected members of the Rajya Sabha are chosen by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies, and the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body not subject to dissolution.
- A successful no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha forces the whole Council of Ministers to resign.
- Article 110 defines a Money Bill; every Money Bill is a Financial Bill, but not every Financial Bill is a Money Bill.
- Under Article 249, a two-thirds majority resolution of the Rajya Sabha lets Parliament legislate on a State List subject for one year at a time.
- The constituent power of Parliament is its power to amend the Constitution.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
This page has 100 practice MCQs on Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which Article defines a Money Bill?
Article 110. It lists the matters, such as taxation and borrowing, that make a bill a Money Bill. The Lok Sabha Speaker decides whether a bill is a Money Bill, and the Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations.
What happens if a no-confidence motion is passed?
The entire Council of Ministers must resign, because under Article 75 it is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister tenders the resignation of the government to the President.
Can the Rajya Sabha be dissolved?
No. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House. One-third of its members retire every second year, so it continues without being dissolved, unlike the Lok Sabha, which can be dissolved.