Parliament of India MCQ: Council of Ministers Size, Grants & Amendments

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

1. Q1.The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 limited the size of the Council of Ministers to what percentage of the total strength of the Lok Sabha?

   • A.10%
   • B.12%
   • C.15%✓ Correct Answer
   • D.20%

   Explanation: The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.

2. Q2.Which of the following does NOT end the session of the Parliament?

   • A.Adjournment✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Adjournment sine die
   • C.Prorogation
   • D.Dissolution

   Explanation: Adjournment only terminates a sitting, not a session of the House. Prorogation and Dissolution end a session (Dissolution ends the life of the House). Adjournment sine die terminates a sitting indefinitely, usually leading to Prorogation.

3. Q3.Which grant is granted for meeting an unexpected demand upon the resources of India, often called a 'Blank Cheque'?

   • A.Supplementary Grant
   • B.Excess Grant
   • C.Vote of Credit✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Exceptional Grant

   Explanation: Vote of Credit is granted for meeting an unexpected demand when on account of the magnitude or indefinite character of the service, the demand cannot be stated with details. It is like a blank cheque given to the Executive.

4. Q4.What is the primary object of an 'Excess Grant'?

   • A.To meet expenditure on a new service
   • B.To regularize expenditure incurred in excess of the amount granted✓ Correct Answer
   • C.To fund a special purpose
   • D.To provide funds for interim period

   Explanation: It is granted when money has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess of the amount granted for that service in the budget. It must be approved by the Public Accounts Committee first.

5. Q5.The 'Contingency Fund of India' is placed at the disposal of whom?

   • A.Prime Minister
   • B.Finance Minister
   • C.President✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Comptroller and Auditor General

   Explanation: The Constitution authorized the Parliament to establish a Contingency Fund of India. It is placed at the disposal of the President to meet unforeseen expenditure pending its authorization by Parliament.

6. Q6.In which year was the 'Leader of Opposition' given statutory recognition?

   • A.1969
   • B.1977✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1985
   • D.1952

   Explanation: The Leader of Opposition in both Houses was accorded statutory recognition in 1977. They are entitled to the salary and allowances equivalent to a cabinet minister.

7. Q7.Who is the 'Leader of the House' in the Lok Sabha typically?

   • A.Speaker
   • B.Prime Minister (if he is a member of Lok Sabha)✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Home Minister
   • D.Senior-most Minister

   Explanation: The Prime Minister is the Leader of the House if he is a member of the Lok Sabha. If he is a member of the Rajya Sabha, he nominates a minister who is a member of the Lok Sabha to function as the Leader.

8. Q8.The 'Ethics Committee' in Rajya Sabha was constituted in which year?

   • A.1997✓ Correct Answer
   • B.2000
   • C.1952
   • D.2014

   Explanation: The Ethics Committee was constituted in Rajya Sabha in 1997 and in Lok Sabha in 2000. It enforces the code of conduct of members.

9. Q9.To whom does the President of India submit his resignation?

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

   Explanation: The President submits his resignation to the Vice-President.

10. Q10.Which majority is required for the removal of the Vice-President in the Rajya Sabha?

    • A.Simple Majority
    • B.Absolute Majority
    • C.Effective Majority✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Special Majority

    Explanation: The Vice-President can be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by an effective majority (majority of all the then members) and agreed to by the Lok Sabha.

11. Q11.Which day of the week is generally allotted for Private Members' Business in the Parliament?

    • A.Monday
    • B.Wednesday
    • C.Friday✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Saturday

    Explanation: Friday is the day allotted for Private Members' Business (bills and resolutions).

12. Q12.What is the maximum number of Starred Questions that can be listed for a day in the Lok Sabha?

    • A.10
    • B.15
    • C.20✓ Correct Answer
    • D.25

    Explanation: Not more than 20 starred questions can be listed for oral answer on any one day.

13. Q13.The 'Youth Parliament' scheme was started on the recommendation of?

    • A.First Administrative Reforms Commission
    • B.Fourth All India Whips Conference✓ Correct Answer
    • C.National Youth Commission
    • D.Ministry of Education

    Explanation: The Youth Parliament scheme was started on the recommendation of the Fourth All India Whips Conference.

14. Q14.Does the Parliament of India have the power to amend the 'Basic Structure' of the Constitution?

    • A.Yes, unconditionally
    • B.Yes, with special majority
    • C.No✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Yes, with state ratification

    Explanation: According to the Kesavananda Bharati case judgment (1973), the Parliament cannot alter or destroy the 'Basic Structure' of the Constitution.

15. Q15.Which language is declared as the official language for transacting business in the Parliament by the Constitution?

    • A.English only
    • B.Hindi only
    • C.Hindi and English✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Any scheduled language

    Explanation: The Constitution declares Hindi and English to be the languages for transacting business in the Parliament. However, the Presiding Officer can permit a member to address the House in his mother tongue.

16. Q16.In which of the following cases does the Rajya Sabha have equal status with the Lok Sabha?

    • A.Passage of Money Bills
    • B.Impeachment of the President✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Removal of the Council of Ministers
    • D.Creation of All-India Services

    Explanation: In the impeachment of the President, introduction and passage of ordinary bills, and approval of ordinances, the Rajya Sabha has equal status with the Lok Sabha.

17. Q17.Which Constitutional Amendment reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years?

    • A.42nd Amendment
    • B.44th Amendment
    • C.61st Amendment✓ Correct Answer
    • D.73rd Amendment

    Explanation: The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988 reduced the voting age from 21 years to 18 years for the Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

18. Q18.A member of Parliament vacates his seat if he remains absent from all meetings of the House without permission for a period of?

    • A.30 days
    • B.60 days✓ Correct Answer
    • C.90 days
    • D.120 days

    Explanation: If a member of either House of Parliament is without the permission of the House absent from all meetings thereof for a period of 60 days, the House may declare his seat vacant.

19. Q19.Who determines the salaries and allowances of the members of Parliament?

    • A.President
    • B.Parliament✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Finance Commission
    • D.Supreme Court

    Explanation: The salaries and allowances of the members of Parliament are determined by the Parliament by law.

20. Q20.Which of the following is NOT a Financial Committee of the Parliament?

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

    Explanation: Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee, and Committee on Public Undertakings are the three Financial Committees. Business Advisory Committee is a standing committee but not a financial one.