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Parliament MCQs
High-yield multiple choice questions asked in previous years (UPSC, SSC CGL, JKSSB, RRB & State PSCs).
High-Yield Concept Capsule & Key Facts
📌 Core high-weightage legislative module in UPSC CSE, SSC CGL/CHSL, CDS, NDA, and State PSCs.
Composition & Chambers of the Union Parliament (Articles 79 to 122)
- • Constitutional Definition (Article 79): Parliament consists of the President, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
- • Rajya Sabha (Article 80): Permanent body not subject to dissolution; 1/3rd of members retire every 2 years; 6-year tenure. Maximum strength: 250 (238 elected from States/UTs + 12 nominated by the President for literature, science, art, social service). Vice-President is ex-officio Chairman (Article 89).
- • Lok Sabha (Article 81): Popular chamber; normal tenure 5 years. Maximum strength: 550 (530 from States + 20 from UTs; Anglo-Indian nomination abolished by 104th Amendment 2019). Led by the Speaker elected by simple majority.
- • Parliamentary Sessions: Maximum gap between two sessions cannot exceed 6 months (Article 85). Standard sessions: Budget Session (Feb-May), Monsoon Session (July-Aug), Winter Session (Nov-Dec).
Legislative Procedures, Financial Bills & Parliamentary Devices
- • Money Bills (Article 110): Certified exclusively by the Lok Sabha Speaker; introduced ONLY in Lok Sabha on prior recommendation of the President. Rajya Sabha can only delay a Money Bill for a maximum of 14 days.
- • Joint Sitting (Article 108): Summoned by the President to resolve deadlocks on Ordinary Bills or Financial Bills (NOT applicable to Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills under Article 368). Presided over by the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
- • Parliamentary Devices: Question Hour (first hour of parliamentary sitting: Starred questions requiring oral answers, Unstarred requiring written, Short Notice). Zero Hour (informal Indian innovation starting at 12 noon for urgent matters without prior notice).
- • Parliamentary Committees: Public Accounts Committee (PAC - 22 members: 15 LS + 7 RS, chaired by an opposition leader, examines CAG reports); Estimates Committee (30 members, ALL from Lok Sabha); Committee on Public Undertakings (22 members).
| Chamber / Entity | Rajya Sabha (Upper House) | Lok Sabha (Lower House) | Special Constitutional Powers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Strength | 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated) | 550 (530 states + 20 UTs) | Anglo-Indian seats abolished (104th CAA) |
| Minimum Age | 30 years | 25 years | Citizenship of India mandatory |
| Presiding Officer | Vice-President (Ex-officio Chairman) | Speaker (Elected by members) | Speaker presides over Joint Sitting (Art 108) |
| Money Bill Powers | Can only delay for 14 days | Exclusive power of introduction & passage | Speaker's certification is final (Art 110) |
| Special RS Powers | Art 249 (State list), Art 312 (AIS) | Art 75(3) (Council of Ministers accountable) | Exclusive prerogative powers |
Showing 15 Practice Questions
Q1SSC CGL 2023Easy
Under Article 108 of the Constitution, who presides over a Joint Sitting of both Houses of Parliament?
Q2JKSSB FAA 2022Easy
A Money Bill, defined under Article 110, can be introduced in:
Q3CDS 2022Easy
How many days can the Rajya Sabha withhold or delay a Money Bill transmitted to it by the Lok Sabha?
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Q4UPSC CSE PrelimsMedium
Under which Article of the Constitution can the Rajya Sabha authorize Parliament to create a new All-India Service by passing a resolution with a two-thirds majority?
Q5JKSSB VLW 2023Easy
What is the constitutional Quorum required to constitute a sitting of either House of Parliament under Article 100(3)?
Q6SSC CGL Tier-1Medium
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which examines the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), consists of how many members?
Q7JKPSC KAS PrelimsMedium
Which Parliamentary Committee consists exclusively of 30 members drawn solely from the Lok Sabha with no representation from Rajya Sabha?
Q8JKSSB Sub-InspectorEasy
What is the maximum constitutional interval allowed between two consecutive sessions of Parliament under Article 85?
Q9SSC CHSLEasy
The informal procedural device in Indian parliamentary practice where MPs raise matters of urgent public importance without prior notice, starting at 12 noon, is:
Q10Current Affairs & PolityMedium
Under which Constitutional Amendment Act was the provision for nominating two Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies abolished?
Q11UPSC CSE PrelimsMedium
A Starred Question asked during Question Hour in Parliament requires:
Q12JKSSB Patwari 2024Easy
Who decides whether a particular Bill is a 'Money Bill' or not, and whose decision is final and non-justiciable under Article 110(3)?
Q13NDA 2022Easy
The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to which institution under Article 75(3) of the Constitution?
Q14JKSSB Junior AssistantEasy
How many members are nominated by the President of India to the Rajya Sabha under Article 80 for distinguished contributions to literature, science, art, and social service?
Q15SSC CGLEasy
What is the minimum age required to contest and become a member of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha respectively?
Frequently Asked Questions (Parliament)
Q: Who presides over a Joint Sitting of both Houses of Parliament under Article 108?
A Joint Sitting of Parliament is summoned by the President to break a legislative deadlock on an ordinary bill, but it is always presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (or in the Speaker's absence, the Deputy Speaker, and in their absence, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha). The Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Vice-President) NEVER presides over a Joint Sitting.
Q: What is the maximum time period the Rajya Sabha can detain a Money Bill?
Under Article 109, the Rajya Sabha has strictly 14 days to return a Money Bill with or without recommendations. If not returned within 14 days, the bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses in the form passed by the Lok Sabha.
Q: What are the two exclusive constitutional powers possessed solely by the Rajya Sabha?
The Rajya Sabha uniquely possesses: (1) Article 249: Empowering Parliament to legislate on a State List subject in national interest by a 2/3rd majority resolution; and (2) Article 312: Empowering Parliament to create one or more new All-India Services by a 2/3rd majority resolution.
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