Parliament of India MCQ: Standing Committees, Censure Motion & Delimitation

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

1. Q1.The total number of Departmental Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) currently is?

   • A.17
   • B.24✓ Correct Answer
   • C.32
   • D.40

   Explanation: There are 24 Departmental Related Standing Committees. 8 work under the Rajya Sabha and 16 under the Lok Sabha.

2. Q2.Who has the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of either House of Parliament but not entitled to vote?

   • A.Chief Election Commissioner
   • B.Attorney General of India✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Solicitor General
   • D.Chief Justice of India

   Explanation: The Attorney General of India has the right to speak and take part in the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament or their joint sitting, but without a right to vote.

3. Q3.The 'Rule of Lapse' in the context of the Budget implies?

   • A.All pending bills lapse at the end of the session
   • B.Unspent money at the end of the financial year expires✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The government cannot borrow money
   • D.Taxes cannot be collected after 5 years

   Explanation: Rule of Lapse means that all appropriations voted by the legislature expire at the end of the financial year, and no money can be spent from the Consolidated Fund after that date without fresh authorization.

4. Q4.A bill passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses upon the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. True or False?

   • A.True✓ Correct Answer
   • B.False
   • C.Depends on the President
   • D.Depends on the Speaker

   Explanation: A bill passed by the Lok Sabha but pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses when the Lok Sabha is dissolved.

5. Q5.Which motion basically states that the policy underlying the demand is disapproved and the amount of the demand be reduced to Re 1?

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

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

6. Q6.The 'Calling Attention Motion' was introduced in the Parliament in which year?

   • A.1950
   • B.1952
   • C.1954✓ Correct Answer
   • D.1962

   Explanation: The Calling Attention Motion is an Indian innovation in the parliamentary procedure and has been in existence since 1954.

7. Q7.Unlike the No-Confidence Motion, the Censure Motion need not state the reasons for its adoption. True or False?

   • A.True
   • B.False - It must state reasons✓ Correct Answer
   • C.False - Neither needs reasons
   • D.True - Both need reasons

   Explanation: This statement is False. A Censure Motion must state the reasons for its adoption in the Lok Sabha. A No-Confidence Motion need not state the reasons.

8. Q8.Which of the following is NOT a part of the 'Charged Expenditure' on the Consolidated Fund of India?

   • A.Emoluments of the President
   • B.Salaries of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha
   • C.Pensions of the Judges of High Courts
   • D.Salaries of the Judges of High Courts✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The salaries of High Court judges are charged on the Consolidated Fund of the State, while their pensions are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

9. Q9.Joint Sitting of the two Houses is summoned by whom?

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

   Explanation: The Joint Sitting is summoned by the President. It is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

10. Q10.Which provision is NOT available for a Joint Sitting?

    • A.Ordinary Bills
    • B.Financial Bills
    • C.Money Bills✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Bills where disagreement persists for 6 months

    Explanation: The provision of joint sitting is not applicable to Money Bills and Constitutional Amendment Bills.

11. Q11.The 'Public Account of India' (Article 266) is operated by?

    • A.Parliamentary Law
    • B.Executive Action✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Presidential Decree
    • D.Judicial Order

    Explanation: Payments from the Public Account of India can be made by executive action without parliamentary appropriation. It functions like a banking account (PF deposits, savings bank deposits, etc.).

12. Q12.A member of the House belonging to any political party becomes disqualified if he votes contrary to the direction issued by his political party. This comes under?

    • A.Anti-Defection Law (10th Schedule)✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Privilege Motion
    • C.Contempt of Court
    • D.Representation of People Act

    Explanation: This falls under the Anti-Defection Law (Tenth Schedule). The member is disqualified if he votes or abstains from voting contrary to any direction (Whip) issued by his political party without prior permission.

13. Q13.Who is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?

    • A.Elected by Rajya Sabha members
    • B.Vice-President of India (Ex-officio)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Nominated by President
    • D.Leader of the House

    Explanation: The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

14. Q14.The 'Delimitation Commission' orders regarding the delimitation of constituencies are?

    • A.Subject to judicial review
    • B.Final and cannot be challenged in any court✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Subject to Presidential approval
    • D.Subject to Parliamentary approval

    Explanation: The orders of the Delimitation Commission are final and cannot be challenged in any court of law. They are laid before the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, but they cannot modify them.

15. Q15.Which House is known as the 'House of Elders'?

    • A.Lok Sabha
    • B.Rajya Sabha✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Vidhan Sabha
    • D.Gram Sabha

    Explanation: The Rajya Sabha is famously known as the House of Elders or the Upper House.

16. Q16.How many members are nominated by the President to the Lok Sabha from the Anglo-Indian Community (as of 2024)?

    • A.2
    • B.1
    • C.12
    • D.0✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019 discontinued the reservation of seats for Anglo-Indians in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Currently, it is 0.

17. Q17.The Speaker of the Lok Sabha derives his powers and duties from?

    • A.Constitution of India
    • B.Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha
    • C.Parliamentary Conventions
    • D.All of the above✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Speaker derives his powers and duties from three sources: the Constitution of India, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha, and Parliamentary Conventions.

18. Q18.Who presides over the Lok Sabha when both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are absent?

    • A.Senior-most member
    • B.A member from the Panel of Chairpersons✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
    • D.Secretary General

    Explanation: When the offices of both Speaker and Deputy Speaker are vacant (or absent), a member from the Panel of Chairpersons (nominated by the Speaker) presides over the House.

19. Q19.What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha envisaged by the Constitution?

    • A.545
    • B.550
    • C.552✓ Correct Answer
    • D.560

    Explanation: The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is fixed at 552 (530 from states, 20 from UTs, and 2 nominated Anglo-Indians - though nomination is now discontinued, the ceiling remains in text until amended). Note: Current functional max is often cited as 550 due to the 104th amendment.

20. Q20.Which article of the Constitution deals with the 'Secretariat of Parliament'?

    • A.Article 98✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 100
    • C.Article 105
    • D.Article 110

    Explanation: Article 98 deals with the Secretariat of Parliament. Each House of Parliament has a separate secretarial staff.