Previous Year Questions (PYQs), with answers + explanations, as per CBSE exam pattern.
Q1. The Indian Parliament is:
(A) Unicameral
(B) Bicameral
(C) Tricameral
(D) None of these
Answer: (B) Bicameral
Explanation: The Indian Parliament has two Houses—Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House)—along with the President, making it bicameral.
Q2. The maximum strength of Lok Sabha is:
(A) 500
(B) 545
(C) 552
(D) 560
Answer: (C) 552
Explanation: Article 81 provides for a maximum of 552 members in Lok Sabha (530 from States, 20 from UTs, 2 nominated by the President).
Q3. The tenure of Rajya Sabha members is:
(A) 5 years
(B) 4 years
(C) 6 years
(D) Life-long
Answer: (C) 6 years
Explanation: Members of Rajya Sabha are elected for 6 years, with one-third retiring every two years.
Q4. The Speaker of Lok Sabha is elected by:
(A) Members of Rajya Sabha
(B) People directly
(C) Members of Lok Sabha
(D) President of India
Answer: (C) Members of Lok Sabha
Explanation: The Speaker is chosen by the elected members of Lok Sabha from among themselves.
Q5. The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of:
(A) Lok Sabha
(B) Rajya Sabha
(C) Legislative Assembly
(D) Legislative Council
Answer: (B) Rajya Sabha
Explanation: Article 64 provides that the Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
Q6. Money Bills can be introduced in:
(A) Lok Sabha only
(B) Rajya Sabha only
(C) Either House
(D) President directly
Answer: (A) Lok Sabha only
Explanation: Article 110 states that Money Bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, with prior recommendation of the President.
Q7. The presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha is:
(A) Speaker
(B) Vice President
(C) President
(D) Prime Minister
Answer: (B) Vice President
Explanation: The Vice President of India acts as the presiding officer (Chairman) of the Rajya Sabha.
Q8. Who decides whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not?
(A) Prime Minister
(B) President
(C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
(D) Finance Minister
Answer: (C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
Explanation: The Speaker has the final authority to decide whether a Bill is a Money Bill under Article 110.
Q9. The joint sitting of Parliament is presided over by:
(A) President
(B) Vice President
(C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
(D) Prime Minister
Answer: (C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
Explanation: In case of a deadlock between the two Houses, a joint sitting is called under Article 108, presided over by the Lok Sabha Speaker.
Q10. The Rajya Sabha is also known as:
(A) House of Commons
(B) House of People
(C) Council of States
(D) House of Lords
Answer: (C) Council of States
Explanation: Rajya Sabha represents the states of the Union and is called the Council of States.
Q11. Who addresses the first session of Parliament after each General Election?
(A) Prime Minister
(B) President
(C) Speaker
(D) Vice President
Answer: (B) President
Explanation: As per Article 87, the President addresses both Houses of Parliament at the beginning of the first session after elections.
Q12. The maximum period between two sessions of Parliament cannot exceed:
(A) 3 months
(B) 6 months
(C) 1 year
(D) 9 months
Answer: (B) 6 months
Explanation: Article 85 requires that the gap between two sessions of Parliament cannot exceed six months.
Q13. The Lok Sabha is also known as:
(A) Council of States
(B) House of the People
(C) Upper House
(D) Permanent House
Answer: (B) House of the People
Explanation: Lok Sabha directly represents the people of India, hence called the House of the People.
Q14. In case of a conflict between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on a non-Money Bill, the deadlock is resolved by:
(A) Prime Minister
(B) Supreme Court
(C) President
(D) Joint sitting of both Houses
Answer: (D) Joint sitting of both Houses
Explanation: Article 108 provides for a joint sitting of Parliament in case of a deadlock on non-Money Bills.
Q15. How many sessions of Parliament are normally held in a year?
(A) 2
(B) 3
(C) 4
(D) 5
Answer: (B) 3
Explanation: Generally, Parliament meets thrice a year – Budget Session, Monsoon Session, and Winter Session.
Q16. Which House of Parliament is a permanent body?
(A) Lok Sabha
(B) Rajya Sabha
(C) Both
(D) None
Answer: (B) Rajya Sabha
Explanation: Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is never dissolved. One-third of its members retire every two years.
Q17. The maximum number of nominated members in the Rajya Sabha is:
(A) 10
(B) 12
(C) 14
(D) 15
Answer: (B) 12
Explanation: The President can nominate 12 members to Rajya Sabha from fields like literature, science, art, and social service (Article 80).
Q18. Who presides over Lok Sabha in the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker?
(A) President
(B) Prime Minister
(C) A member of Lok Sabha chosen by the House
(D) Vice President
Answer: (C) A member of Lok Sabha chosen by the House
Explanation: In such a case, the House appoints one of its members to preside.
Q19. Which of the following is a special power of Rajya Sabha?
(A) Introduction of Money Bills
(B) Creation of new All-India Services
(C) Passing the Budget
(D) Impeachment of President
Answer: (B) Creation of new All-India Services
Explanation: Rajya Sabha can pass a resolution under Article 312 for creation of new All-India Services.
Q20. Who has the power to summon or prorogue the sessions of Parliament?
(A) Prime Minister
(B) President
(C) Speaker
(D) Vice President
Answer: (B) President
Explanation: The President, on advice of the Council of Ministers, summons and prorogues Parliament sessions (Article 85).
Q21. What is the quorum of Lok Sabha?
(A) 1/10 of total membership
(B) 1/5 of total membership
(C) 1/6 of total membership
(D) 1/2 of total membership
Answer: (A) 1/10 of total membership
Explanation: The minimum quorum required for each House is 1/10th of the total members (Article 100).
Q22. The concept of joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament was borrowed from:
(A) USA
(B) UK
(C) Australia
(D) Canada
Answer: (C) Australia
Explanation: Joint sitting provision in India is taken from the Australian Constitution.
Q23. The budget is presented in Parliament by:
(A) Prime Minister
(B) Finance Minister
(C) President
(D) Speaker
Answer: (B) Finance Minister
Explanation: The Union Budget (Annual Financial Statement) is presented by the Finance Minister in Lok Sabha under Article 112.
Q24. What is the minimum age for election to the Rajya Sabha?
(A) 21 years
(B) 25 years
(C) 30 years
(D) 35 years
Answer: (C) 30 years
Explanation: For Rajya Sabha membership, the minimum age is 30 years (Article 84).
Q25. Who can dissolve Lok Sabha?
(A) President
(B) Prime Minister
(C) Speaker
(D) Vice President
Answer: (A) President
Explanation: The President can dissolve Lok Sabha on advice of the Prime Minister (Article 85).
Q26. The maximum strength of Rajya Sabha is:
(A) 245
(B) 250
(C) 260
(D) 270
Answer: (B) 250
Explanation: Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of 250 members (238 elected, 12 nominated). Present strength is 245.
Q27. The tenure of Lok Sabha is:
(A) 4 years
(B) 5 years
(C) 6 years
(D) 7 years
Answer: (B) 5 years
Explanation: Article 83 provides that Lok Sabha continues for 5 years unless dissolved earlier.
Q28. Who is known as the custodian of the Lok Sabha?
(A) President
(B) Prime Minister
(C) Speaker
(D) Secretary-General
Answer: (C) Speaker
Explanation: The Speaker is the guardian of the dignity and privileges of the House and its members.
Q29. Which House has more financial powers?
(A) Lok Sabha
(B) Rajya Sabha
(C) Both equal
(D) None
Answer: (A) Lok Sabha
Explanation: Lok Sabha has supremacy in financial matters. Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha.
Q30. Who decides the disputes regarding the disqualification of MPs?
(A) Election Commission
(B) President
(C) Supreme Court
(D) Speaker
Answer: (B) President
Explanation: The President decides disqualification of MPs under Article 103, after obtaining the opinion of the Election Commission.
Q31. The first Lok Sabha was constituted in:
(A) 1949
(B) 1950
(C) 1952
(D) 1955
Answer: (C) 1952
Explanation: After the first general elections (1951–52), the first Lok Sabha was constituted in 1952.
Q32. Which Article provides that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha?
(A) Article 73
(B) Article 74
(C) Article 75(3)
(D) Article 76
Answer: (C) Article 75(3)
Explanation: Article 75(3) states that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
Q33. Who can move a no-confidence motion in Lok Sabha?
(A) President
(B) Prime Minister
(C) Any member of Lok Sabha
(D) Speaker
Answer: (C) Any member of Lok Sabha
Explanation: A no-confidence motion can be moved by any Lok Sabha member. If passed, the government must resign.
Q34. The system of Parliamentary Committees is borrowed from:
(A) USA
(B) UK
(C) France
(D) Canada
Answer: (B) UK
Explanation: The committee system of Parliament in India is modeled on the British system.
Q35. Which committee examines government expenditure after it has been incurred?
(A) Public Accounts Committee
(B) Estimates Committee
(C) Committee on Public Undertakings
(D) Business Advisory Committee
Answer: (A) Public Accounts Committee
Explanation: The PAC scrutinizes expenditure to ensure it conforms to the Parliament’s decisions.
Q36. The first Speaker of Lok Sabha was:
(A) M. A. Ayyangar
(B) G. V. Mavalankar
(C) Hukam Singh
(D) Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
Answer: (B) G. V. Mavalankar
Explanation: G. V. Mavalankar was the first Speaker of Lok Sabha (1952–56).
Q37. The Parliament can legislate on subjects in the State List under:
(A) Article 248
(B) Article 249
(C) Article 250
(D) Both (B) and (C)
Answer: (D) Both (B) and (C)
Explanation: Parliament can legislate on State List if Rajya Sabha passes a resolution (Art. 249) or during National Emergency (Art. 250).
Q38. The minimum age for election to the Lok Sabha is:
(A) 18 years
(B) 21 years
(C) 25 years
(D) 30 years
Answer: (C) 25 years
Explanation: For Lok Sabha, a candidate must be at least 25 years old (Article 84).
Q39. What is the maximum gap allowed between two Lok Sabha sessions?
(A) 3 months
(B) 6 months
(C) 9 months
(D) 12 months
Answer: (B) 6 months
Explanation: Parliament must meet at least twice a year, and the gap cannot exceed six months (Article 85).
Q40. The procedure of impeachment of the President requires the involvement of:
(A) Lok Sabha only
(B) Rajya Sabha only
(C) Both Houses of Parliament
(D) Supreme Court only
Answer: (C) Both Houses of Parliament
Explanation: Impeachment of the President requires a special majority in both Houses.
Q41. Which of the following is NOT a function of the Parliament?
(A) Law-making
(B) Control over Executive
(C) Granting pardons
(D) Financial control
Answer: (C) Granting pardons
Explanation: Pardoning power is with the President, not Parliament.
Q42. Which House of Parliament cannot be dissolved?
(A) Lok Sabha
(B) Rajya Sabha
(C) Both
(D) None
Answer: (B) Rajya Sabha
Explanation: Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and cannot be dissolved, unlike Lok Sabha.
Q43. Who certifies a Bill as a Money Bill?
(A) Finance Minister
(B) Prime Minister
(C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
(D) President
Answer: (C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
Explanation: Only the Speaker has authority to certify a Bill as a Money Bill (Article 110).
Q44. The joint sitting of Parliament is held to resolve differences between:
(A) Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
(B) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
(C) Rajya Sabha and State Legislatures
(D) President and Parliament
Answer: (B) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Explanation: A joint sitting resolves disagreements between the two Houses on ordinary bills.
Q45. Who is the Leader of Lok Sabha?
(A) President
(B) Speaker
(C) Prime Minister
(D) Vice President
Answer: (C) Prime Minister
Explanation: The Prime Minister is the leader of the Lok Sabha, responsible for government business there.
Q46. The ordinance-making power of the President is given in:
(A) Article 110
(B) Article 123
(C) Article 124
(D) Article 356
Answer: (B) Article 123
Explanation: Under Article 123, the President can issue ordinances when Parliament is not in session.
Q47. Which Article empowers the President to address either House or both Houses of Parliament?
(A) Article 85
(B) Article 86
(C) Article 87
(D) Article 88
Answer: (B) Article 86
Explanation: Article 86 gives the President the right to address either House of Parliament.
Q48. The power of the Rajya Sabha to protect the interests of States is reflected in:
(A) Financial matters
(B) Ordinary law-making
(C) Power under Article 249
(D) Impeachment process
Answer: (C) Power under Article 249
Explanation: Rajya Sabha can allow Parliament to make laws on State subjects in national interest (Article 249).
Q49. The Speaker of Lok Sabha can be removed by:
(A) Prime Minister
(B) President
(C) Resolution of Lok Sabha passed by a majority
(D) Supreme Court
Answer: (C) Resolution of Lok Sabha passed by a majority
Explanation: The Speaker can be removed by a resolution of the Lok Sabha, passed by an absolute majority.
Q50. Which of the following statements is correct?
(A) Rajya Sabha has more financial powers than Lok Sabha
(B) Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers
(C) Rajya Sabha can dissolve Lok Sabha
(D) Lok Sabha is a permanent body
Answer: (B) Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers
Explanation: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha, not to Rajya Sabha.
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