Parliament of India MCQ: Joint Sitting, Budget & Financial Committees

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

1. Q1.Who presides over a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament?

   • A.President
   • B.Vice-President
   • C.Speaker of Lok Sabha✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Prime Minister

   Explanation: The Speaker of Lok Sabha presides over a joint sitting of the two Houses. In his absence, the Deputy Speaker presides.

2. Q2.What is the term used in the Constitution for the 'Budget'?

   • A.Annual Financial Statement✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Annual Budget Proposal
   • C.Appropriation Bill
   • D.Financial Bill

   Explanation: The term 'Budget' has nowhere been used in the Constitution. Instead, Article 112 refers to it as the 'Annual Financial Statement'.

3. Q3.Which fund is constituted under Article 266 of the Constitution?

   • A.Contingency Fund of India
   • B.Public Account of India
   • C.Consolidated Fund of India✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Prime Minister's Relief Fund

   Explanation: Article 266 deals with the Consolidated Fund of India (and of the States). All revenues received by the Government form part of this fund.

4. Q4.What is the total number of members in the Public Accounts Committee?

   • A.15
   • B.22✓ Correct Answer
   • C.30
   • D.31

   Explanation: The Public Accounts Committee consists of 22 members (15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha).

5. Q5.Which Parliamentary Committee is described as the 'twin sister' of the Estimates Committee?

   • A.Committee on Public Undertakings
   • B.Public Accounts Committee✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Business Advisory Committee
   • D.Rules Committee

   Explanation: The Public Accounts Committee is often described as the 'twin sister' of the Estimates Committee due to their complementary roles in financial accountability.

6. Q6.Who appoints the 'Speaker Pro Tem' of the Lok Sabha?

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

   Explanation: The President appoints a member of the Lok Sabha as the Speaker Pro Tem. Usually, the senior-most member is selected for this.

7. Q7.What happens to a bill pending in the Lok Sabha if the Lok Sabha is dissolved?

   • A.It does not lapse
   • B.It lapses✓ Correct Answer
   • C.It is sent to Rajya Sabha
   • D.It is sent to the President

   Explanation: A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses (whether originating in the Lok Sabha or transmitted to it by the Rajya Sabha).

8. Q8.Which motion is moved by a member if he feels that a minister has committed a breach of privilege of the House?

   • A.Censure Motion
   • B.Privilege Motion✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Call-Attention Motion
   • D.Adjournment Motion

   Explanation: A Privilege Motion is moved by a member when he feels that a minister has committed a breach of privilege of the House or one of its members by withholding facts or giving distorted versions.

9. Q9.The office of the 'Whip' is mentioned in which of the following?

   • A.Constitution of India
   • B.Rules of the House
   • C.Parliamentary Statute
   • D.None of the above✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The office of 'Whip' is mentioned neither in the Constitution nor in the Rules of the House nor in a Parliamentary Statute. It is based on the conventions of the parliamentary government.

10. Q10.Under Article 249, the Rajya Sabha can authorize the Parliament to make laws on a subject in the State List if a resolution is passed by?

    • A.Simple majority
    • B.Two-thirds of members present and voting✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Absolute majority
    • D.Two-thirds of total membership

    Explanation: Such a resolution must be supported by two-thirds of the members present and voting. The resolution remains in force for a maximum of one year at a time.

11. Q11.Which of the following creates a new All-India Service?

    • A.Parliament by a simple majority
    • B.President by an order
    • C.Rajya Sabha by a special resolution✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Lok Sabha by a special resolution

    Explanation: Under Article 312, the Parliament can create a new All-India Service only if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution declaring that it is necessary in the national interest.

12. Q12.What is 'Vote on Account'?

    • A.Vote on the report of CAG
    • B.Vote to meet expenditure during the gap between passing of Appropriation Bill✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Vote for unplanned expenditure
    • D.Vote for unexpected demand

    Explanation: A Vote on Account authorizes the government to draw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India generally for two months to meet expenses until the budget is finally passed.

13. Q13.Which cut motion states that the amount of the demand be reduced to Re 1?

    • A.Economy Cut Motion
    • B.Policy Cut Motion✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Token Cut Motion
    • D.Budgetary Cut Motion

    Explanation: Policy Cut Motion represents the disapproval of the policy underlying the demand. It states that the amount of the demand be reduced to Re 1.

14. Q14.When the Lok Sabha passes a resolution for the removal of the Speaker, how many members must support the motion for it to be considered?

    • A.20 members
    • B.50 members✓ Correct Answer
    • C.100 members
    • D.One-tenth of total members

    Explanation: A resolution for the removal of the Speaker can be moved only after giving 14 days' advance notice and must be supported by at least 50 members.

15. Q15.The 'Estimates Committee' consists of members from?

    • A.Lok Sabha only✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Rajya Sabha only
    • C.Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
    • D.Nominated by President

    Explanation: The Estimates Committee has 30 members and all of them are from the Lok Sabha only. Rajya Sabha has no representation in this committee.

16. Q16.Who is the Chairman of the Business Advisory Committee in the Lok Sabha?

    • A.Leader of Opposition
    • B.Prime Minister
    • C.Speaker✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Deputy Speaker

    Explanation: The Speaker is the ex-officio chairman of the Business Advisory Committee in the Lok Sabha.

17. Q17.What is the maximum life of an ordinance promulgated by the President if not approved by Parliament?

    • A.6 months
    • B.6 weeks
    • C.6 months and 6 weeks✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1 year

    Explanation: An ordinance must be approved by Parliament within 6 weeks of its reassembly. Since the maximum gap between sessions is 6 months, the maximum life is 6 months and 6 weeks.

18. Q18.Which of the following bills CANNOT be introduced in the Rajya Sabha?

    • A.Constitutional Amendment Bill
    • B.Money Bill✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ordinary Bill
    • D.Bill for creating a new state

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

19. Q19.The concept of 'Delegated Legislation' is associated with which power of the Parliament?

    • A.Judicial Power
    • B.Executive Power
    • C.Legislative Power✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Financial Power

    Explanation: Parliament outlines the broad objectives of a law and delegates the power to the Executive to make detailed rules and regulations. This is called Delegated Legislation.

20. Q20.Who has the power to adjourn the House sine die?

    • A.President
    • B.Prime Minister
    • C.Presiding Officer of the House✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Minister of Parliamentary Affairs

    Explanation: Adjournment sine die means terminating a sitting of Parliament for an indefinite period. This power lies with the Presiding Officer (Speaker/Chairman).