President, PM & Parliament — Set 12

Correct Answer: C. 6 months

The Constitution requires that Parliament shall meet at least twice a year and the gap between two sessions should not exceed six months. The three sessions of Parliament in a year are: (1) Budget Session (February to May), (2) Monsoon Session (July to August/September), and (3) Winter Session (November to December). The President summons Parliament to session. The period between two sessions is called 'recess' and it is during recess that the President can promulgate Ordinances.

Correct Answer: B. Article 80

Article 80 deals with the composition of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). It consists of not more than 250 members — 238 elected/nominated representatives of states and union territories + 12 nominated by the President for their expertise in literature, science, art, and social service. Currently, Rajya Sabha has 245 members (233 elected + 12 nominated). Rajya Sabha is a permanent house that cannot be dissolved — 1/3 of its members retire every 2 years and each member has a 6-year term.

Correct Answer: A. President of India

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) submits audit reports on the accounts of the Union and States to the President of India (for Union accounts) and to the Governors of States (for state accounts). The President (or Governor) causes these reports to be laid before Parliament (or State Legislature). The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament examines the CAG reports. The CAG is appointed by the President and removed through the impeachment process, similar to a judge of the Supreme Court.

Correct Answer: A. Article 74

Article 74 provides that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as its head to aid and advise the President, and the President shall act in accordance with such advice. The 42nd Amendment made this binding — the President must act on the advice of the Council of Ministers. The 44th Amendment allowed the President to send the advice back for reconsideration once, but must act on the reconsidered advice. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha.

Correct Answer: B. Lok Sabha

Only Lok Sabha can initiate a Money Bill. Under Article 110, a Money Bill deals with matters related to taxation, borrowing, appropriation of money from the Consolidated Fund, etc. After being passed by Lok Sabha, a Money Bill is sent to Rajya Sabha which can make recommendations but cannot amend or reject it. If Rajya Sabha does not return the bill within 14 days, it is deemed passed. The Lok Sabha Speaker certifies whether a bill is a Money Bill.

Correct Answer: B. Rajya Sabha

The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha under Article 64. The Vice President presides over Rajya Sabha sessions and maintains order. During the Vice President's absence, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha presides. The Vice President is elected by members of both Houses of Parliament (not the state legislatures) by proportional representation through single transferable vote. The Vice President can be removed by a resolution passed by Rajya Sabha by absolute majority and agreed to by Lok Sabha.

Correct Answer: A. One-tenth of total membership

Article 100(3) provides that the quorum to constitute a meeting of either House shall be one-tenth of the total number of members of the House. For Lok Sabha (543 members), the quorum is about 55 members. For Rajya Sabha (245 members), the quorum is about 25 members. If quorum is not present, the Speaker/Chairman has the duty to either adjourn the House or suspend the meeting until quorum is present. Quorum requirements can be waived by unanimous consent in many other countries.

Correct Answer: B. The 12 noon hour when members can raise urgent matters without prior notice

Zero Hour is the period immediately following the Question Hour in Parliament, starting at 12 noon. During Zero Hour, members can raise matters of urgent public importance without prior notice to the Speaker/Chairman. It is not mentioned in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Parliament — it is an informal practice. Unlike the formal Question Hour, the government is not obligated to answer during Zero Hour. It is uniquely Indian in its informality.

Correct Answer: A. Ministers answering questions from members for the first hour of each sitting

Question Hour is the first hour of every sitting of Parliament where members ask questions to Ministers about matters of public importance and government functioning. There are three types of questions: Starred Questions (oral, supplementary questions allowed), Unstarred Questions (written answers, no supplementary), and Short Notice Questions. Question Hour is a fundamental tool of parliamentary accountability. The first list of questions in the new Parliament is a Starred Question list.

Correct Answer: C. It is a permanent house

Rajya Sabha is a permanent body that cannot be dissolved. It is a continuing chamber — one-third of its members retire every two years and each member holds office for six years. The Vice President of India is its ex-officio Chairman. Currently, it has 245 members (233 elected by state legislatures using proportional representation through single transferable vote + 12 nominated by President). Rajya Sabha represents the states/union territories at the national level.