Parliament — Set 1
Indian Polity · संसद · Questions 1–10 of 120
Which Article of the Constitution of India provides for the constitution of Parliament?
Correct Answer: D. Article 79
• **Article 79** = provides for the constitution of Parliament of India. • **Two Houses + President** — Parliament = President + Rajya Sabha + Lok Sabha. • 💡 Article 82 deals with readjustment after census, Article 72 with President's pardon power, Article 81 with Lok Sabha composition — none constitute Parliament.
The Parliament of India consists of which of the following?
Correct Answer: A. President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha
• **Parliament composition** = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha. • **Article 79** — President, though not a member of either House, is integral to Parliament. • 💡 'Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha' excludes President; 'President and Lok Sabha' omits Rajya Sabha; 'with PM' is factually wrong — PM is not part of Parliament by definition.
What is the maximum permissible strength of the Rajya Sabha?
Correct Answer: A. 250
• **Rajya Sabha max strength** = 250 members. • **238 + 12** — 238 elected from states/UTs, 12 nominated by President. • 💡 238 is only the elected portion, 245 is current actual strength, 260 is not a constitutional figure.
The representatives of states in the Rajya Sabha are elected by whom?
Correct Answer: B. Elected members of State Legislative Assemblies
• **Rajya Sabha state reps** = elected by elected MLAs of State Legislative Assemblies. • **Proportional Representation + STV** — single transferable vote by open ballot since 2003. • 💡 'All citizens' applies to Lok Sabha direct elections; Lok Sabha MPs do not elect Rajya Sabha; nominated MLAs cannot vote in this election.
Which Schedule of the Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha?
Correct Answer: D. Fourth Schedule
• **Fourth Schedule** = allocation of Rajya Sabha seats to states and UTs. • **Population-based** — seats assigned by state population strength. • 💡 Second Schedule lists emoluments of constitutional offices, Third lists oaths, Fifth covers Scheduled Areas — none deal with Rajya Sabha seats.
What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha as per the current statutes?
Correct Answer: B. 550
• **Lok Sabha max strength** = 550 members (post-104th Amendment). • **530 + 20** — 530 from states + 20 from UTs; Anglo-Indian 2 seats abolished in 2020. • 💡 545 is actual current strength, 552 was pre-2020 figure including 2 Anglo-Indians, 560 has no constitutional basis.
The Lok Sabha elections are based on which principle?
Correct Answer: C. Territorial Representation (First Past the Post)
• **Lok Sabha election** = territorial representation via First Past the Post (FPTP). • **Direct election** — country divided into 543 single-member constituencies. • 💡 Indirect election applies to Rajya Sabha/President; Functional representation and Proportional Representation are Rajya Sabha features, not Lok Sabha.
What is the term of office for a member of the Rajya Sabha?
Correct Answer: C. 6 years
• **Rajya Sabha term** = 6 years for each member. • **Permanent body** — 1/3 retires every 2 years; House never dissolves. • 💡 5 years is Lok Sabha term, 4 and 7 years have no constitutional basis for MP tenure.
Which Constitutional Amendment Act lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years?
Correct Answer: B. 61st Amendment Act, 1988
• **61st Amendment** = lowered voting age from 21 to 18 years. • **1988/1989** — passed 1988 during Rajiv Gandhi era, effective from 1989. • 💡 86th (2002) inserted Art 21A (education), 44th (1978) restored fundamental rights, 42nd (1976) was the 'Mini-Constitution' — none dealt with voting age.
Who is the final authority to decide whether a member of Parliament is subject to disqualification under the Tenth Schedule?
Correct Answer: D. Chairman or Speaker of the House
• **Tenth Schedule** = anti-defection law decided by Presiding Officer. • **Speaker/Chairman** — final authority; subject to judicial review post Kihoto Hollohan case. • 💡 President decides disqualifications under Art 103 (office of profit) not defection; Supreme Court only reviews; Election Commission advises on Art 103 cases.