Parliamentary Terms — Set 1
Indian Polity · संसदीय शब्दावली · Questions 1–10 of 60
What is the minimum number of members required to be present in the House to transact any business known as?
Correct Answer: B. Quorum
Quorum is the minimum number of members required to function. It is one-tenth of the total membership of the House. If the quorum is absent, the presiding officer must adjourn the House.
The first hour of every parliamentary sitting is generally reserved for?
Correct Answer: B. Question Hour
The first hour of a sitting is the Question Hour. During this time, members ask questions and ministers give answers. It usually starts at 11:00 AM.
Which parliamentary device is an Indian innovation introduced in 1962?
Correct Answer: C. Zero Hour
Zero Hour is an Indian innovation in parliamentary procedure. It starts immediately after the Question Hour. Members can raise matters without prior notice.
Who has the authority to issue a notification for the 'Prorogation' of a session?
Correct Answer: B. President of India
The President of India issues the notification for prorogation. It terminates a session of the House but not the House itself. It is different from adjournment, which is done by the presiding officer.
Which term describes the termination of a parliamentary sitting for an indefinite period?
Correct Answer: A. Adjournment sine die
Adjournment sine die means terminating a sitting without fixing a date for resumption. The presiding officer of the House has this power. It usually occurs at the end of a session.
Which of the following actions ends the life of the existing Lok Sabha?
Correct Answer: D. Dissolution
Dissolution ends the life of the existing Lok Sabha. A new House is constituted after general elections. Rajya Sabha is a permanent house and is not subject to dissolution.
Who has the power to summon each House of Parliament to meet?
Correct Answer: B. President
The President summons each House of Parliament. This is done from time to time as required. The maximum gap between two sessions cannot exceed six months.
What is the last session of the existing Lok Sabha after a new Lok Sabha has been elected called?
Correct Answer: D. Lame Duck Session
It is called the Lame Duck Session. Members of the existing Lok Sabha who fail to get re-elected are called lame ducks. This session marks the transition to the new House.
The office of the 'Whip' is mentioned in?
Correct Answer: A. Neither the Constitution nor the Rules of the House
The office of the Whip is not mentioned in the Constitution or House Rules. It is based on parliamentary convention. Every political party has its own whip to ensure member attendance.
What is the term for a member changing their party allegiance during a term?
Correct Answer: A. Crossing the Floor
Crossing the Floor refers to changing party allegiance. It implies moving from the government side to the opposition or vice versa. Anti-defection laws now regulate this action.