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

 

Explain the composition of the Indian Parliament.
Answer: The Indian Parliament consists of:

Lok Sabha (House of the People) – Maximum 552 members.

Rajya Sabha (Council of States) – Maximum 250 members.

President of India – Part of the Parliament but does not sit in the House.

Lok Sabha members are directly elected by citizens.

Rajya Sabha members are indirectly elected by State Legislative Assemblies.

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

The Speaker presides over Lok Sabha sessions.

 

Differentiate between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Answer:

Feature	Lok Sabha	Rajya Sabha
Members	552	250
Election	Direct	Indirect
Term	5 years	Permanent (1/3rd retires every 2 years)
Leadership	Speaker	Vice-President
Money Bill	Final say	Can only suggest changes
Dissolution	Can be dissolved	Cannot be dissolved
Representation	People	States

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

Legislative Powers – Passes bills and makes laws.

Financial Powers – Controls the Budget and Money Bills.

Executive Control – Can remove the government through a No-Confidence Motion.

Judicial Powers – Can impeach the President and judges of the Supreme Court.

Amendment Powers – Participates in amending the Constitution.

Electoral Functions – Elects the President and Vice-President of India.

 

Discusses national issues and influences public policy.

 

Discuss the powers and functions of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:

Legislative Powers – Reviews and suggests amendments to laws.

Limited Financial Powers – Can only delay a Money Bill by 14 days.

Approves Constitutional Amendments with Lok Sabha.

Represents the states in national governance.

Can authorize Parliament to legislate on State List subjects in national interest.

Plays a role in impeachment procedures.

Ensures stability in governance since it cannot be dissolved.

 

Explain the functions of the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Answer:

Presides over Lok Sabha sessions.

Maintains order and discipline in the House.

Decides whether a bill is a Money Bill.

Refers bills to committees for review.

Has a casting vote in case of a tie.

Represents Lok Sabha in official functions.

Decides on matters of defection under the Anti-Defection Law.

 

Describe the process of passing an Ordinary Bill in Parliament.
Answer:

First Reading: Bill introduced in either House.

Second Reading: Debate, suggestions, and Committee Review.

Third Reading: Final vote in both Houses.

Sent to the other House for approval.

If both Houses pass it, sent to the President.

President’s Assent: Bill becomes law.

If rejected, the Joint Sitting of Parliament may be called.

 

What is a Money Bill? How is it passed in Parliament?
Answer:

Introduced only in Lok Sabha by the Finance Minister.

Rajya Sabha can only suggest changes, but Lok Sabha may reject them.

Must be passed within 14 days in Rajya Sabha.

Sent to the President for approval.

Cannot be referred to a Joint Sitting.

Related to taxation, borrowing, and financial matters.

Speaker decides if a bill is a Money Bill.

 

What is a Constitutional Amendment Bill? How is it passed?
Answer:

Introduced in either House.

Requires special majority (2/3rd members present & voting).

Some amendments need ratification by states.

Sent to the President for approval.

Cannot be passed in a Joint Sitting.

Examples: 42nd Amendment (1976), 73rd & 74th Amendments (1992).

Strengthens the Constitution.

 

Explain the significance of the Joint Sitting of Parliament.
Answer:

Called by the President to resolve deadlocks over Ordinary Bills.

Presided over by the Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Occurs when Rajya Sabha rejects or delays a bill for more than 6 months.

Both Houses sit together and vote on the bill.

Lok Sabha usually has an advantage due to its higher strength.

Example: Banking Service Commission Repeal Bill (1978).

Ensures smooth functioning of democracy.

 

10. What are Parliamentary Committees? Name two important ones.

Answer:

Parliamentary Committees are smaller groups of MPs that work on specific matters in detail.

They help Parliament function efficiently by examining bills, policies, and government spending.

There are two types of committees: Standing Committees (Permanent) and Ad-hoc Committees (Temporary).

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) – Audits government expenditures and ensures proper use of funds.

Estimates Committee – Reviews budget estimates and suggests improvements in public expenditure.

Committees allow in-depth discussions on issues that cannot be debated in full detail in Parliament.

They play a crucial role in ensuring government accountability and transparency.

 

11. Explain the role of Parliament in controlling the Executive.

Answer:

Parliament supervises the Executive (Government) to ensure accountability.

Question Hour: MPs question ministers about policies and government actions.

Zero Hour: MPs raise urgent matters without prior notice.

No-Confidence Motion: Lok Sabha can remove the government if it loses majority support.

Parliamentary Committees investigate government actions and expenditures.

Discussion on Budget and policies ensures the executive follows proper financial discipline.

Adjournment Motion is used to discuss serious national issues.

 

12. What is a No-Confidence Motion? How does it affect the government?

Answer:

A No-Confidence Motion is moved in Lok Sabha to test if the government still has a majority.

If passed, the Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, must resign.

A motion of no-confidence can be introduced by any Lok Sabha MP.

Requires the support of at least 50 MPs to be discussed in the House.

If debated and voted upon, a simple majority (more than 50% of MPs present and voting) is required for its passage.

The ruling government may have to prove its majority on the floor of the House.

It ensures government accountability and political stability.

 

13. What is an Ordinance? How is it issued and approved?

Answer:

An Ordinance is a temporary law issued by the President of India when Parliament is not in session.

It is passed under Article 123 of the Constitution.

It can only be issued if immediate action is required.

Must be approved by Parliament within 6 weeks of reassembling.

If not approved, it ceases to exist.

The Governor can also issue ordinances for states under Article 213.

Ordinances have the same legal power as parliamentary laws but are temporary.

 

14. What is a Private Member Bill? How is it different from a Government Bill?

Answer:

A Private Member Bill is introduced by an MP who is not a minister.

A Government Bill is introduced by a minister on behalf of the government.

Private Member Bills focus on policy reforms and social issues.

They are debated only on Fridays.

Example: The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2014 was a Private Member Bill.

Only 14 Private Member Bills have been passed in Indian history.

Government Bills have a higher chance of becoming law.

 

15. What is the process of passing the Budget in Parliament?

Answer:

The Budget is introduced in Lok Sabha by the Finance Minister.

It consists of Revenue and Expenditure plans for the upcoming financial year.

General Discussion: MPs discuss the overall Budget policies.

Voting on Demands for Grants: Different ministries present their budget requirements.

Appropriation Bill is passed to allow the government to withdraw money.

Finance Bill is passed to impose taxes.

Rajya Sabha can only discuss the Budget but cannot amend it.

 

16. How can the President of India be impeached?

Answer:

The President can be removed for violating the Constitution (Article 61).

The process starts in either House of Parliament.

A notice signed by at least one-fourth of MPs is required.

The House then discusses and votes with a two-thirds majority.

If approved, it moves to the other House, which must also pass it by two-thirds majority.

If both Houses agree, the President is removed.

No Indian President has ever been impeached.

 

17. What is the Anti-Defection Law? How does it ensure stability?

Answer:

Anti-Defection Law was passed under the 10th Schedule in 1985.

It prevents MPs/MLAs from changing political parties after elections.

A member is disqualified if they leave their party voluntarily or defy the party whip.

Exceptions: If two-thirds of a party merges with another party, it is not defection.

The Speaker/Chairman of the House decides disqualification.

It ensures political stability and prevents party-switching for personal gains.

Example: Recent disqualifications in Maharashtra and Karnataka assemblies.

 

18. What is the difference between Adjournment and Prorogation?

Answer:

Adjournment: Temporary suspension of a session for a few hours/days.

Prorogation: Official ending of a Parliament session by the President.

Adjournment does not end pending bills, but prorogation does.

Adjournment is ordered by the Presiding Officer; Prorogation is ordered by the President.

Prorogation is done between two sessions of Parliament.

Adjournment can happen multiple times during a session.

Example: The 2020 Monsoon Session of Parliament was adjourned early due to COVID-19.

 

19. Why is Rajya Sabha called a Permanent House?

Answer:

Unlike Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved.

One-third of its members retire every two years, ensuring continuity.

This system allows experienced members to remain in Parliament.

Elections for vacant Rajya Sabha seats occur every two years.

It ensures that Parliament continues functioning even if Lok Sabha is dissolved.

Rajya Sabha provides stability to India’s legislative process.

Its permanent nature helps in long-term policy formulation.

 

20. How does Parliament amend the Constitution?

Answer:

Amendments are passed under Article 368.

Can be introduced in either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.

Requires a special majority (2/3rd of members present and voting).

Some amendments also need approval from at least 50% of state legislatures.

The President must give assent to the amendment.

Example: 42nd Amendment (1976) made India a Socialist, Secular Republic.

Amendments strengthen and modify the Constitution based on national needs.