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The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is devoted to ______, during which members ask questions and ministers give answers.
- Zero Hour
- Question Hour
- Legislative Business
- Budget Discussion
Answer: Question Hour
Question Hour (first hour of sitting) allows MPs to ask questions (starred, unstarred, short notice) to ministers about administration. Zero Hour (informal, post-Question Hour) allows raising urgent matters without prior notice. Both are crucial tools for executive accountability and public grievance redressal.
The Annual Financial Statement (Budget) is presented to Lok Sabha under Article ______, and demands for grants are voted by Lok Sabha only.
- 110
- 112
- 113
- 114
Answer: 112
Article 112: President causes Annual Financial Statement (Budget) to be laid before Parliament. Article 113: Demands for grants are voted by Lok Sabha only; Rajya Sabha can discuss but not vote. Article 114: Appropriation Bill authorizes expenditure from Consolidated Fund. This upholds 'no taxation without representation' principle.
Article 120 allows business in Parliament to be transacted in Hindi or English, and members can address the House in any language included in the ______ Schedule of the Constitution.
- Seventh
- Eighth
- Ninth
- Tenth
Answer: Eighth
Article 120: Parliamentary business in Hindi/English; members may speak in any Eighth Schedule language with presiding officer's permission. Eighth Schedule originally had 14 languages; now 22. This balances national integration with linguistic diversity in legislative proceedings.
In case of deadlock between Houses on an ordinary bill, President can summon a joint sitting under Article 108, which is presided over by the ______.
- Vice President
- Prime Minister
- Speaker of Lok Sabha
- Chief Justice
Answer: Speaker of Lok Sabha
Article 108: Joint sitting resolves deadlocks on ordinary bills (not Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills). Presided by Speaker; in absence, by Deputy Speaker or Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Decision by simple majority of members present and voting. Used only thrice: 1961, 1978, 2002.
The Speaker of Lok Sabha is elected by members of Lok Sabha from amongst themselves, and can be removed by a resolution passed by a ______ majority of members present and voting.
- simple
- two-thirds
- three-fourths
- absolute
Answer: simple
Article 94: Speaker can be removed by Lok Sabha passing resolution by majority of all then-members present and voting. 14-day notice required. Speaker doesn't vote in first instance, only exercises casting vote in tie. This ensures Speaker remains accountable to House while maintaining impartiality.
The maximum strength of Rajya Sabha is 250, of which 238 represent States and Union Territories, and 12 are nominated by the President for their expertise in literature, science, art, and ______.
- politics
- social service
- economics
- law
Answer: social service
Article 80: Rajya Sabha max strength 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated). Nominated members are persons with special knowledge/practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service. Current strength is 245. Nominations ensure expert voices in legislation without electoral politics.
Before entering upon office, Ministers must take an oath of secrecy and allegiance administered by the ______.
- Prime Minister
- President
- Chief Justice
- Speaker
Answer: President
Article 75(4) and Third Schedule: Ministers take oath before President. Oath includes: (a) bear true faith to Constitution, (b) uphold sovereignty and integrity of India, (c) faithfully discharge duties, (d) not disclose confidential information. This formalizes constitutional commitment and confidentiality obligation.
The President can exercise 'Pocket Veto' by simply ______ a bill without taking any action, as there is no time limit for giving assent.
- returning
- approving
- withholding
- amending
Answer: withholding
Article 111: President has three veto types: (a) Absolute veto - withholding assent, (b) Suspensive veto - returning bill (except Money Bills), (c) Pocket veto - taking no action indefinitely. Pocket veto was used in 1986 for Indian Post Office (Amendment) Bill. This passive power checks hasty legislation.
Article 361 grants immunity to the President from criminal proceedings during their term of office, and no court can issue process for arrest or imprisonment of the ______.
- Prime Minister
- Vice President
- President
- Chief Justice
Answer: President
Article 361: President (and Governors) enjoy immunity: (a) no criminal proceedings during term, (b) no arrest/imprisonment, (c) civil proceedings allowed with 2-month notice. This ensures head of state can perform duties without harassment, but doesn't grant impunity post-tenure.
The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 limits the total number of Ministers, including PM, to ______ percent of the total strength of Lok Sabha.
- 10
- 15
- 20
- 25
Answer: 15
Article 75(1A), inserted by 91st Amendment (2003): Council strength cannot exceed 15% of Lok Sabha strength (minimum 12 for small states). Also, defectors cannot be appointed ministers until re-elected or term ends. These curb horse-trading and excessive ministerial berths.
The Prime Minister communicates to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to administration of Union affairs and proposals for ______.
- judicial appointments
- legislation
- international treaties
- financial audits
Answer: legislation
Article 78(a): PM communicates to President all Council decisions on Union administration and legislative proposals. Article 78(b) requires PM to furnish information called for by President. Article 78(c) allows President to refer matters for Council consideration. These ensure coordination between nominal and real executive.
The Vice President of India is elected by members of an Electoral College consisting of elected and nominated members of ______.
- Lok Sabha only
- Rajya Sabha only
- Both Houses of Parliament
- State Legislative Assemblies
Answer: Both Houses of Parliament
Article 66: Vice President is elected by members of both Houses of Parliament (elected + nominated) via proportional representation by single transferable vote. Unlike Presidential election, State Legislative Assembly members do not participate. VP serves as ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64).
Under Article 123, the President can promulgate ordinances when both Houses of Parliament are not in session, but such ordinances must be approved by Parliament within ______ weeks of its reassembly.
- 4
- 6
- 8
- 10
Answer: 6
Article 123: Presidential ordinances have same force as Acts of Parliament but must be laid before both Houses. They cease to operate at expiration of 6 weeks from reassembly of Parliament, or earlier if both Houses pass resolutions disapproving them. This balances executive urgency with legislative oversight.
The President of India holds office for a term of ______ years from the date on which they enter upon their office.
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Answer: 5
Article 56: President's term is 5 years. They can resign by writing to Vice President, or be removed by impeachment for 'violation of the Constitution' under Article 61. Impeachment requires 2/3 majority of total membership of Parliament after charges are framed by either House.
Article 36 defines 'State' for Part IV (DPSP) in the same manner as defined in Article ______ for Fundamental Rights.
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
Answer: 12
Article 36 states that definitions in Part III (Fundamental Rights) apply to Part IV (DPSP) unless context otherwise requires. Thus, 'State' under Article 12 (including government, legislature, local authorities, etc.) applies to DPSP enforcement, though DPSP themselves are non-justiciable.
Article 43 directs the State to secure to all workers a living wage, conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life, and full enjoyment of leisure and social and ______ opportunities.
- political
- cultural
- economic
- educational
Answer: cultural
Article 43 directs the State to secure: (a) living wage, (b) decent standard of life, (c) leisure, and (d) social and cultural opportunities for workers. This aims at holistic development of labour force beyond mere economic sustenance, reflecting the welfare state ideal.
Article 46 directs the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections, particularly the ______ and Scheduled Tribes.
- Other Backward Classes
- Scheduled Castes
- Minorities
- Women
Answer: Scheduled Castes
Article 46 is a socialist-Gandhian principle directing the State to promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections, especially SCs and STs, and protect them from social injustice and exploitation. This underpins reservation policies and welfare schemes for marginalized communities.
Article 47 raises the level of nutrition and standard of living and improves public health, and also directs the State to bring about prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs except for ______ purposes.
- recreational
- medicinal
- industrial
- export
Answer: medicinal
Article 47 is a Gandhian principle directing the State to: (a) raise nutrition levels, (b) improve standard of living, (c) improve public health, and (d) prohibit intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health, except for medicinal purposes. Several states have implemented prohibition policies based on this.
Article 50 of the Constitution directs the State to take steps to separate the ______ from the executive in public services.
- legislature
- judiciary
- police
- revenue department
Answer: judiciary
Article 50 directs separation of judiciary from executive to ensure independence of judiciary and fair administration of justice. This has been largely implemented through judicial reforms, though complete separation remains a work in progress in some states.
Article 45, as amended by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002, now directs the State to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of ______ years.
- 3
- 5
- 6
- 14
Answer: 6
Originally, Article 45 provided for free and compulsory education for children until age 14. After the 86th Amendment (2002) inserted Article 21A (Right to Education for 6-14 years), Article 45 was modified to focus on early childhood care and education for children below 6 years.