Parliament of India MCQ: Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha Composition & Speaker

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Which of the following describes the Parliament of India according to Article 79?

   • A.Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
   • B.President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Prime Minister
   • D.President, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Vice President

   Explanation: According to Article 79, the Parliament of India consists of the President, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).

2. Q2.What is the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha fixed by the Constitution?

   • A.245
   • B.250✓ Correct Answer
   • C.252
   • D.260

   Explanation: The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is fixed at 250, out of which 238 are to be the representatives of the states and union territories (elected indirectly) and 12 are nominated by the president.

3. Q3.Which Schedule of the Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha?

   • A.Third Schedule
   • B.Fourth Schedule✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Fifth Schedule
   • D.Sixth Schedule

   Explanation: The Fourth Schedule of the Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the states and union territories.

4. Q4.The representatives of states in the Rajya Sabha are elected by whom?

   • A.Citizens directly
   • B.Elected members of State Legislative Assemblies✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Members of Lok Sabha
   • D.State Legislative Councils

   Explanation: The representatives of states in the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of state legislative assemblies using the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

5. Q5.Which of the following fields is NOT a basis for nomination to the Rajya Sabha by the President?

   • A.Literature
   • B.Science
   • C.Co-operative Movement✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Social Service

   Explanation: The President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha from people having special knowledge in Art, Literature, Science, and Social Service. 'Co-operative Movement' is a basis for nomination to Legislative Councils, not Rajya Sabha.

6. Q6.What is the minimum age required to be qualified for election to the Lok Sabha?

   • A.21 years
   • B.25 years✓ Correct Answer
   • C.30 years
   • D.35 years

   Explanation: The Constitution sets the minimum age for qualification for election to the Lok Sabha at 25 years. For Rajya Sabha, it is 30 years.

7. Q7.Who decides on questions as to the disqualification of members of Parliament on the ground of defection?

   • A.President of India
   • B.Supreme Court
   • C.Election Commission
   • D.Chairman of Rajya Sabha or Speaker of Lok Sabha✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The question of disqualification under the Tenth Schedule (defection) is decided by the Chairman in the case of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker in the case of Lok Sabha.

8. Q8.If a person is elected to both houses of Parliament, within how many days must he intimate his choice of house?

   • A.10 days✓ Correct Answer
   • B.14 days
   • C.21 days
   • D.30 days

   Explanation: He must intimate within 10 days in which House he desires to serve. In default of such intimation, his seat in the Rajya Sabha becomes vacant.

9. Q9.The Speaker of the Lok Sabha submits his resignation to whom?

   • A.President
   • B.Prime Minister
   • C.Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Chief Justice of India

   Explanation: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha may resign his office by writing to the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

10. Q10.What is the 'Casting Vote' in the context of the Speaker of Lok Sabha?

    • A.Vote cast in the election of the President
    • B.Vote used to resolve a tie✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Vote to impeach a judge
    • D.Vote on a constitutional amendment

    Explanation: The Speaker does not vote in the first instance. But he can exercise a casting vote in the case of a tie (equality of votes) to resolve the deadlock.

11. Q11.Who acts as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?

    • A.President
    • B.Vice-President✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Prime Minister
    • D.Leader of the House

    Explanation: The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He presides over its meetings.

12. Q12.What is the maximum permissible gap between two sessions of Parliament?

    • A.3 months
    • B.4 months
    • C.6 months✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1 year

    Explanation: The Constitution empowers the President to summon each House at such intervals that there should not be more than a gap of six months between two sessions.

13. Q13.What is the minimum number of members required to be present in the House to transact any business (Quorum)?

    • A.One-fifth of the total number of members
    • B.One-third of the total number of members
    • C.One-tenth of the total number of members✓ Correct Answer
    • D.One-half of the total number of members

    Explanation: Quorum is one-tenth of the total number of members in each House including the presiding officer.

14. Q14.What does 'Lame-duck session' refer to?

    • A.First session of a new Lok Sabha
    • B.Last session of the existing Lok Sabha after a new Lok Sabha has been elected✓ Correct Answer
    • C.A session where no business is transacted
    • D.A special session for budget

    Explanation: A 'Lame-duck session' refers to the last session of the existing Lok Sabha after a new Lok Sabha has been elected. Members of the existing Lok Sabha who could not get re-elected to the new Lok Sabha are called lame-ducks.

15. Q15.Which hour starts immediately after the Question Hour and lasts until the agenda for the day is taken up?

    • A.Zero Hour✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Half-an-Hour Discussion
    • C.Short Duration Discussion
    • D.Calling Attention Motion

    Explanation: Zero Hour starts immediately after the Question Hour and lasts until the agenda for the day is taken up. It is an Indian innovation in the field of parliamentary procedures.

16. Q16.A motion for an adjournment of the business of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance is called?

    • A.Censure Motion
    • B.Call-Attention Motion
    • C.Adjournment Motion✓ Correct Answer
    • D.No-Confidence Motion

    Explanation: Adjournment Motion is introduced in the Parliament to draw the attention of the House to a definite matter of urgent public importance. It needs the support of 50 members to be admitted.

17. Q17.Against whom can a 'No-Confidence Motion' be moved?

    • A.Individual Ministers
    • B.The Prime Minister only
    • C.The entire Council of Ministers✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Rajya Sabha members

    Explanation: A No-Confidence Motion can be moved only against the entire Council of Ministers. If passed, the Council of Ministers must resign.

18. Q18.Which Article of the Constitution defines a 'Money Bill'?

    • A.Article 108
    • B.Article 110✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 112
    • D.Article 117

    Explanation: Article 110 of the Constitution contains the definition of a Money Bill. It deals with taxes, borrowing of money, custody of consolidated fund, etc.

19. Q19.Who certifies whether a bill is a Money Bill or not?

    • A.President
    • B.Finance Minister
    • C.Chairman of Rajya Sabha
    • D.Speaker of Lok Sabha✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides whether a bill is a Money Bill or not, and his decision is final.

20. Q20.In which House can a Money Bill be introduced?

    • A.Rajya Sabha only
    • B.Lok Sabha only✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Either House
    • D.Joint Sitting

    Explanation: A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha and that too on the recommendation of the President.