Extra 20 important long questions and answers from the chapter "Legislature" of Class 11 Political Science:

 

What is the Legislature? Discuss its main functions.
Answer:
The Legislature is the law-making body of a country. It is responsible for making, amending, and repealing laws.
Functions:

Law-making – Creates and amends laws.

Control over Executive – Questions and debates on policies.

Financial Control – Approves the Budget and taxation.

Judicial Functions – Can impeach the President and judges.

Amendment of the Constitution – Can modify the Constitution.

 

Differentiate between Unicameral and Bicameral legislatures.
Answer:

Unicameral Legislature: One house (e.g., China, Sri Lanka).

Bicameral Legislature: Two houses (e.g., India, USA).

Difference:

Feature	Unicameral Legislature	Bicameral Legislature
Number of Houses	One	Two (Upper & Lower House)
Examples	China, Nepal	India, USA
Decision-making	Faster	Slower but detailed
Check & Balance	Less effective	More effective

Describe the composition of the Indian Parliament.
Answer:
The Indian Parliament consists of three components:

Lok Sabha (House of People) – 552 members (elected).

Rajya Sabha (Council of States) – 250 members (elected & nominated).

President of India – Gives assent to Bills and summons sessions.

 

Explain the powers and functions of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:

Legislative Powers – Makes laws.

Financial Powers – Passes the Budget and Money Bills.

Executive Control – Holds government accountable through No-Confidence Motion.

Judicial Powers – Can impeach the President and judges.

Amendment Powers – Participates in constitutional amendments.

 

Explain the composition and powers of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:

Composition: 250 members (238 elected, 12 nominated by President).

Powers:

Participates in law-making.

Reviews and suggests changes to Money Bills.

Approves Constitutional Amendments.

Represents States in federal matters.

 

What is the difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha?
Answer:

Feature	Lok Sabha	Rajya Sabha
Members	552	250
Tenure	5 years	Permanent (1/3rd retires every 2 years)
Leadership	Speaker	Vice-President (Chairman)
Money Bill	Final say	Only recommends
Dissolution	Can be dissolved	Cannot be dissolved

Describe the role of the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Answer:

Presides over Lok Sabha sessions.

Maintains discipline and order.

Decides whether a Bill is a Money Bill.

Represents the Lok Sabha to the President.

 

What is the legislative process in the Parliament?
Answer:

First Reading: Bill introduced.

Second Reading: Discussion and voting.

Committee Stage: Review and changes.

Third Reading: Final approval.

President’s Assent: Becomes law.

 

What is the role of Parliament in financial matters?
Answer:

Approves Budget and taxation.

Passes Money Bills (only Lok Sabha).

Votes on demands for grants.

Discusses government spending.

 

Explain the importance of the Parliamentary Committees.
Answer:

Reduces workload of Parliament.

Examines Bills in detail.

Ensures executive accountability.

Example: Public Accounts Committee (checks government spending).

 

What is the role of Parliament in controlling the Executive?
Answer:

Question Hour – Ministers answer MPs' questions.

Zero Hour – Urgent matters are discussed.

No-Confidence Motion – Government can be removed.

 

What is a Money Bill? Who decides whether a Bill is a Money Bill?
Answer:

A Bill that deals with taxation, borrowing, or government expenditure.

The Speaker of Lok Sabha decides if a Bill is a Money Bill.

 

What are the types of Bills in Parliament?
Answer:

Ordinary Bill – Any law except finance or constitutional matters.

Money Bill – Deals with government finance.

Constitutional Amendment Bill – Changes Constitution.

 

What is a No-Confidence Motion? How does it affect the government?
Answer:

A motion moved in Lok Sabha to remove the government.

If passed, the Prime Minister must resign.

 

How can the President’s Ordinances be challenged?
Answer:

Parliament must approve within 6 weeks.

The Supreme Court can declare it unconstitutional.

 

 

What is an impeachment process? Who can be impeached?
Answer:

Impeachment is the process of removing the President for violation of the Constitution.

Requires two-thirds majority in both Houses.

 

What is the role of the Rajya Sabha in the amendment of the Constitution?
Answer:

Has equal power as Lok Sabha.

Must approve amendments with a two-thirds majority.

 

What is the significance of the Anti-Defection Law?
Answer:

Prevents MPs/MLAs from changing parties after election.

Ensures political stability.

 

What are the qualifications and disqualifications of MPs?
Answer:
Qualifications:

Citizen of India.

25 years for Lok Sabha, 30 years for Rajya Sabha.
Disqualifications:

Holds an office of profit.

Found guilty of corruption or crime.

 

What is the process of passing the Budget in Parliament?
Answer:

Presentation: Finance Minister presents Budget.

Discussion: MPs debate allocations.

Voting: Lok Sabha votes on grants.

Approval: Rajya Sabha discusses, but Lok Sabha has final say.