Parliamentary Procedures
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Sample questions
From the departmental-exam question corpus. These have not been through RankRacer's answer-verification gate — check the rule itself before relying on one.
1.Which one among the following statements regarding adjournment motion is correct?
- A.Not more than one matter can be discussed on the same motion
- B.The motion may be on any general matter
- C.The motion may raise a question of privilege
- D.The motion may anticipate a matter which has been previously appointed for consideration
Explanation
Correct Answer: A) Not more than one matter can be discussed on the same motion Rule Reference: Rule 58(ii): "not more than one matter shall be discussed on the same motion" Key Restrictions under Rule 58: Rule 58(i): "not more than one such motion shall be made at the same sitting" Rule 58(iii): "the motion shall be restricted to a specific matter of recent occurrence involving responsibility of the Government of India" Rule 58(iv): "the motion shall not raise a question of privilege" Rule 58(v): "the motion shall not revive discussion on a matter which has been discussed in the same session" Rule 60(2): "if not less than fifty members rise accordingly, the Speaker shall intimate that leave is granted"
2.Which of the statements given below is/are correct? 1. A private member in Parliament may be from the ruling party also 2. Private members bills/resolutions is discussed in the Parliament from 3.30 pm to 6.00 pm everyday during session period 3. Money bills cannot be initiated by a private member
- A.1, 2 and 3
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.1 and 2 only
- D.3 only
Explanation
Correct Answer: B) 1 and 3 only Statement 1: CORRECT ✓ Rule 2: "'private member' means a member other than a Minister" - Private members can be from ruling or opposition parties. Statement 2: INCORRECT ✗ Rule 26: "The last two and a half hours of a sitting on Friday shall be allotted for the transaction of private members' business" - NOT everyday from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Statement 3: CORRECT ✓ Money Bills require President's recommendation and can only be introduced by Ministers (Article 110 of Constitution).
3.In which among the following situations division in the House is essential? 1. Passing of a money bill 2. Passing of any resolution of national importance 3. Amending the Constitution 4. Passing no confidence motion
- A.1, 2, 3 and 4
- B.1, 3 and 4 only
- C.1 and 2 only
- D.3 and 4 only
Explanation
Correct Answer: D) 3 and 4 only 3. Constitutional Amendment - ESSENTIAL ✓ Rule 158(1): "Voting shall be by division whenever a motion has to be carried by a majority of the total membership of the House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting." 4. No Confidence Motion - ESSENTIAL ✓ Due to its grave constitutional significance, division is essential for recorded voting. 1 & 2. NOT Essential: Rule 367(1): "On the conclusion of a debate, the Speaker shall put the question and invite those who are in favour of the motion to say 'Aye' and those against the motion to say 'No'." Rule 367(2): "If the opinion of the Speaker as to the decision of a question is not challenged, the Speaker shall say twice: 'The Ayes (or the Noes, as the case may be) have it' and the question before the House shall be determined accordingly." Money Bills and ordinary resolutions can pass by voice vote unless division is demanded.
4.Which one among the following statements about raising of questions by Member of Parliament in the House is not correct?
- A.Only those questions which were listed for the day can be asked by the members of the House
- B.Every member whose name appears in the list can ask two supplementary questions
- C.Starred questions are printed in white paper and replies are always given in writing
- D.Reply to the Unstarred questions are not discussed in the House
Explanation
Correct Answer: C) Starred questions on white paper - INCORRECT CORRECT Position: Rule 36: "A member who desires an oral answer to one's question shall distinguish it by an asterisk. If the member does not distinguish it by an asterisk, the question shall be placed on the list of questions for written answer." Starred questions are printed on GREEN paper (not white) and require ORAL answers. Other Statements CORRECT: Rule 46: "Questions for oral answers shall be called in the order in which they stand on the list" ✓ Rule 50: Supplementary questions allowed ✓ Rule 39(1): "a written answer to such question shall be deemed to have been laid on the Table at the end of the Question Hour" ✓
5.Which among the following actions may be initiated by the Speaker in the event of grave disorder occasioned by a member coming into the Well of the House or abusing the rules of the House persistently and wilfully obstructing the business by shouting slogans or otherwise? 1. Such member may be suspended from the House for five consecutive sittings or for the remainder of the session, whichever is less 2. The Speaker may adjourn or suspend the business of the House in case of grave disorder 3. The Speaker may direct the member to withdraw from the House 4. The Speaker may send the member to judicial custody
- A.1, 2, 3 and 4
- B.1, 2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 4 only
- D.2 and 3 only
Explanation
Correct Answer: B) 1, 2 and 3 only 1. Suspension - CORRECT ✓ Rule 374A(1): "Notwithstanding anything contained in rules 373 and 374, in the event of grave disorder occasioned by a member coming into the well of the House or abusing the Rules of the House persistently and wilfully obstructing its business by shouting slogans or otherwise, such member shall, on being named by the Speaker, stand automatically suspended from the service of the House for five consecutive sittings or the remainder of the session, whichever is less" 2. Adjournment - CORRECT ✓ Rule 375: "In the case of a grave disorder arising in the House, the Speaker, may if thinks it necessary to do so, adjourn the House or suspend any sitting for a time to be named by the Speaker." 3. Withdrawal - CORRECT ✓ Rule 373: "The Speaker, if is of the opinion that the conduct of any member is grossly disorderly, may direct such member to withdraw immediately from the House, and any member so ordered to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall remain absent during the remainder of the day's sitting." 4. Judicial Custody - INCORRECT ✗ Speaker has NO power to send members to judicial custody. This is a judicial function, not a parliamentary power.
6.Which one among the following statements regarding Half-an-hour discussions in Lok Sabha is correct?
- A.The Speaker may allot half-an-hour every day during the session
- B.A member wishing to raise a matter shall give notice to the Secretary General in writing
- C.There shall be a formal motion before the House
- D.Notice for Half-an-hour discussion can be given on any matter whether it is a subject of a recent occurrence or not
Explanation
Correct Answer: B) Written notice to Secretary General CORRECT Statement: Rule 55(2): "A member wishing to raise a matter shall give notice in writing to the Secretary-General three days in advance of the day on which the matter is desired to be raised, and shall shortly specify the point or points such member wishes to raise" Other Statements INCORRECT: Rule 55(1): "The Speaker may allot half an hour on three sittings in a week" - NOT every day Rule 55(5): "There shall be no formal motion before the House nor voting" Rule 55(1): Must relate to "matter of sufficient public importance which has been the subject of a recent question" - not any matter
7.Which of the following is the order of precedence with respect to Private Members' Bills? 1. Bills which have been passed by Council of States and transmitted to Lok Sabha 2. Bills which have been passed by the Lok Sabha and returned by the Council of States with amendment 3. Bills returned by the President with a message under Article 111 of the Constitution 4. Bills in respect of which the motion is that leave be granted to introduce the Bill
- A.1-2-3-4
- B.4-3-2-1
- C.2-1-3-4
- D.4-2-3-1
Explanation
Correct Answer: B) 4-3-2-1 Rule Reference: Rule 27(1): "On a day allotted for the disposal of private members' Bills, such Bills shall have relative precedence in the following order, namely:— (a) Bills in respect of which the motion is that leave be granted to introduce the Bill; (b) Bills returned by the President with a message under article 111 of the Constitution; (c) Bills which have been passed by the House and returned by the Council with amendments; (d) Bills which have been passed by the Council and transmitted to the House..." CORRECT ORDER: 1st Priority (Item 4): Leave to introduce new bill - Rule 27(1)(a) 2nd Priority (Item 3): President's return under Article 111 - Rule 27(1)(b) 3rd Priority (Item 2): LS passed, RS returned with amendments - Rule 27(1)(c) 4th Priority (Item 1): RS passed and transmitted to LS - Rule 27(1)(d)
8.Which of the following statements regarding Quorum during the sitting of Lok Sabha is not correct?
- A.The Quorum to constitute a sitting of the House is one-fifth of the total number of members of the House
- B.The Speaker presumes that there is Quorum throughout the sitting until his attention is invited to the lack of Quorum
- C.Objection to lack of Quorum once raised by a member cannot be withdrawn
- D.Due to lack of Quorum the Speaker may adjourn the House
Explanation
Correct Answer: A) One-fifth quorum - INCORRECT CORRECT Position: Article 100(3) of the Constitution: "Until Parliament by law otherwise provides, the quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament shall be one-tenth of the total number of members of the House." NOT one-fifth (which would be 110 members) but ONE-TENTH (approximately 55 members for Lok Sabha). Other Statements CORRECT: Speaker presumes quorum present unless attention drawn ✓ Objection cannot be withdrawn once raised ✓ Speaker may adjourn or suspend sitting if quorum not present ✓