The Union Legislature ICSE Class 10: Parliament, Procedures and Powers

What The Union Legislature is about

Weightage: CISCE publishes no chapter weightage. Civics is tested in Part I (compulsory 1- and 2-mark items) and in Part II Section A, where you answer two of three 10-mark Civics questions, each split 3 + 3 + 4.Source: CISCE ICSE 2027 Specimen Question Paper 501, History & Civics (H.C.G. Paper 1)

Key concepts

Federal setup of India

A federation divides power between a central government and the governments of the units (states). India's Constitution does this through three lists in the Seventh Schedule: the Union List (subjects such as defence, foreign affairs, railways and currency, on which only Parliament makes laws), the State List (subjects such as police, public health and agriculture, for the state legislatures) and the Concurrent List (subjects such as education, marriage and forests, on which both may make laws, with the Union law prevailing in a conflict). Residuary subjects, not named in any list, belong to Parliament.

Other federal features are a written and rigid constitution, the supremacy of the Constitution, a bicameral Union legislature in which the Rajya Sabha represents the states, and an independent judiciary that settles disputes between the Centre and the states.

India is described as a 'Union of States' because the federation has a strong Centre: a single constitution and single citizenship, residuary powers with the Centre, power to legislate on state subjects in special circumstances, and emergency provisions that can make the system work in a unitary way.

Worked example

(3 marks) State three features that make India's setup federal.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Division of powers between the Union and the states through the Union, State and Concurrent Lists - 1 mark.
2. A written constitution that is supreme and cannot be changed by one level of government alone - 1 mark.
3. An independent judiciary to settle Centre-state disputes, and a Rajya Sabha that represents the states - 1 mark.

Answer: India's setup is federal because (1) powers are divided between the Union and the states through three lists, (2) the Constitution is written and supreme, and (3) an independent judiciary settles disputes between the Centre and the states, while the Rajya Sabha represents the states in Parliament.

Lok Sabha: composition, term and qualifications

The Lok Sabha is the lower, popular House. Its members are directly elected by the people on the basis of universal adult franchise: every citizen aged 18 or above can vote. The Constitution sets the maximum elected strength at 550: up to 530 members from the states and up to 20 from the Union Territories. At present 543 seats are filled by election. (The President's power to nominate two Anglo-Indian members ended in 2020 under the 104th Amendment.) Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Term: five years from the date of its first meeting. It can be dissolved earlier by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. During a National Emergency its term can be extended by a law of Parliament, one year at a time, but not beyond six months after the emergency ends.

Qualifications of a member: a citizen of India, at least 25 years old, a registered voter in some constituency, not holding an office of profit under the government, not of unsound mind, not an undischarged insolvent, and not disqualified by any law of Parliament.

Worked example

(2 marks) When can the term of the Lok Sabha be extended, and for how long?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Only while a proclamation of National Emergency is in force, by a law passed by Parliament - 1 mark.
2. By not more than one year at a time, and not beyond six months after the emergency ceases to operate - 1 mark.

Answer: The term can be extended only during a National Emergency, by a law of Parliament, for up to one year at a time; it cannot continue beyond six months after the emergency has ended.

Sessions and quorum

A session is the period during which the House meets day after day to do its business. The President summons each House and prorogues (ends) a session. The Constitution requires that not more than six months pass between the last sitting of one session and the first sitting of the next, so Parliament meets at least twice a year. In practice there are three sessions: the Budget session, the Monsoon session and the Winter session.

Adjournment ends a day's sitting (or suspends it for some hours) and is done by the presiding officer. Prorogation ends the session and is done by the President. Dissolution ends the life of the Lok Sabha itself; the Rajya Sabha is never dissolved.

Quorum is the minimum number of members who must be present for the House to do business. It is one-tenth of the total membership of the House, including the presiding officer. If there is no quorum, the presiding officer must adjourn the House or suspend the sitting until a quorum is present.

Worked example

(2 marks) What is meant by quorum? What must the Speaker do if there is no quorum?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Quorum is the minimum number of members whose presence is needed for a sitting, one-tenth of the total membership of the House - 1 mark.
2. If there is no quorum, the Speaker adjourns the House or suspends the sitting until the quorum is complete - 1 mark.

Answer: Quorum is the minimum attendance, one-tenth of the total membership, needed for the House to transact business. Without it the Speaker must adjourn the House or suspend the sitting until enough members are present.

Question hour, types of questions and zero hour

Question Hour is normally the first hour of a sitting. Members ask ministers questions about the work of their ministries, which keeps the executive answerable to Parliament.

Starred question: marked with an asterisk; the minister answers orally on the floor, and members may ask supplementary questions.
Unstarred question: answered in writing; the answer is placed on the table of the House and no supplementary questions are allowed.
Short notice question: on a matter of urgent public importance, asked at shorter notice than the minimum period the rules require for an ordinary question; answered orally, and supplementaries may follow. The minister decides whether the matter is urgent enough to answer at short notice.

Zero Hour follows Question Hour and usually starts at 12 noon. Members raise urgent matters without prior notice. It is not mentioned in the Constitution or the rules of procedure; it is an Indian parliamentary innovation.

Worked example

(2 marks) Distinguish between a starred and an unstarred question.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. A starred question is answered orally on the floor of the House and supplementary questions may be asked - 1 mark.
2. An unstarred question receives a written answer laid on the table, and no supplementary questions are allowed - 1 mark.

Answer: A starred question gets an oral answer in the House and allows supplementary questions; an unstarred question gets a written reply placed on the table of the House and does not allow supplementaries.

Adjournment motion and no-confidence motion

Adjournment motion: moved to set aside the normal business of the House in order to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, such as a major disaster or serious breakdown of law and order. It needs the support of at least 50 members and the consent of the Speaker. It is used in the Lok Sabha. If admitted, the House discusses the matter; passing it does not dissolve the House and does not by itself remove the government, though it is treated as a censure of the government.

No-confidence motion: moved in the Lok Sabha only, stating that the House has no confidence in the Council of Ministers. It needs the support of at least 50 members to be admitted; no reason need be given. If the Lok Sabha passes it, the whole Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, must resign, because it is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. It is the strongest weapon of the legislature against the executive.

Worked example

(3 marks) What is a no-confidence motion? In which House can it be moved, and what happens if it is passed?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Meaning: a motion stating that the House has lost confidence in the Council of Ministers; at least 50 members must support it - 1 mark.
2. House: only the Lok Sabha, because the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha - 1 mark.
3. Effect: if passed, the Prime Minister and the entire Council of Ministers must resign - 1 mark.

Answer: A no-confidence motion declares that the House no longer trusts the Council of Ministers; it needs the support of at least 50 members. It can be moved only in the Lok Sabha. If it is passed, the Prime Minister and the whole Council of Ministers must resign.

Anti-Defection Law

Defection means a legislator leaving the party on whose ticket they were elected, or acting against its decisions, often for personal gain. Frequent defections made governments unstable, so the 52nd Amendment (1985) added the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution.

A member is disqualified if he or she:

• voluntarily gives up membership of his or her political party;
• votes or abstains in the House contrary to the party's direction (whip) without prior permission, unless the party condones it within 15 days;
• having been elected as an independent, joins a political party after the election;
• having been nominated, joins a political party after six months of taking the seat.

Exception: no disqualification when two-thirds of the members of a legislature party agree to merge with another party. (The earlier exception for a split by one-third of members was removed by the 91st Amendment, 2003.)

The question of disqualification is decided by the presiding officer of the House (the Speaker in the Lok Sabha, the Chairman in the Rajya Sabha), and the decision is open to judicial review.

Worked example

(3 marks) State any three grounds on which a member of Parliament can be disqualified under the Anti-Defection Law.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Voluntarily giving up membership of the party on whose ticket the member was elected - 1 mark.
2. Voting or abstaining in the House against the party whip without prior permission (not condoned within 15 days) - 1 mark.
3. An independent member joining a party after election, or a nominated member joining a party after six months - 1 mark.

Answer: A member is disqualified if he or she (1) voluntarily gives up the membership of the party, (2) votes or abstains against the party's whip without permission and is not condoned within 15 days, or (3) being an independent, joins a political party after election (a nominated member, after six months).

Passing of Ordinary and Money Bills

Ordinary Bill: can be introduced in either House, by a minister (government bill) or by any member (private member's bill). It passes through three readings: first reading (introduction), second reading (general discussion, committee stage and clause-by-clause consideration) and third reading (vote on the bill as a whole). It then goes to the other House, which can pass, amend or reject it. If the Houses disagree, or six months pass without action by the other House, the President may summon a joint sitting, presided over by the Speaker, where a simple majority of members present and voting decides. The bill becomes an Act when the President gives assent. The President may return an Ordinary Bill once for reconsideration; if Parliament passes it again, the President must sign.

Money Bill: deals with taxes, borrowing, or money from the Consolidated Fund of India. It can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, and only with the President's recommendation. The Speaker certifies whether a bill is a Money Bill, and that decision is final. After the Lok Sabha passes it, the Rajya Sabha must return it within 14 days, with or without recommendations; the Lok Sabha may accept or reject them. If the Rajya Sabha does not return it in 14 days, it is deemed passed by both Houses. There is no joint sitting for a Money Bill, and the President does not return it for reconsideration.

Worked example

(4 marks) Explain how a Money Bill is passed in Parliament.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Introduced only in the Lok Sabha, with the prior recommendation of the President; the Speaker certifies it as a Money Bill - 1 mark.
2. After the Lok Sabha passes it, it goes to the Rajya Sabha, which must return it within 14 days, with or without recommendations - 1 mark.
3. The Lok Sabha may accept or reject those recommendations; if the Rajya Sabha does not return it within 14 days it is deemed passed by both Houses - 1 mark.
4. It then goes to the President for assent; there is no joint sitting and the President does not send it back for reconsideration - 1 mark.

Answer: A Money Bill starts only in the Lok Sabha on the President's recommendation and is certified by the Speaker. The Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations within 14 days, which the Lok Sabha may reject; if it does not return the bill in time, the bill is deemed passed. The President then gives assent.

The Speaker

Election: the members of the Lok Sabha elect the Speaker from among themselves soon after the first meeting of a new House. The Speaker holds office until just before the first meeting of the next Lok Sabha, so even after dissolution the Speaker continues.

Removal: by a resolution of the Lok Sabha passed by a majority of all the then members of the House, after at least 14 days' notice. While the resolution is being considered the Speaker does not preside but may speak and vote in the first instance (not a casting vote). The Speaker may also resign by writing to the Deputy Speaker.

Functions: presides over the Lok Sabha and conducts its business; maintains order and can suspend or adjourn the House in case of grave disorder; adjourns the House if there is no quorum; decides whether a bill is a Money Bill; uses a casting vote in case of a tie; presides over joint sittings of the two Houses; decides disqualification on grounds of defection; admits questions and motions; interprets the rules of procedure; appoints chairpersons of committees and protects the privileges of members.

Worked example

(3 marks) State any three functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Presides over the meetings of the Lok Sabha and maintains order, adjourning the House in case of grave disorder - 1 mark.
2. Certifies whether a bill is a Money Bill; the decision is final - 1 mark.
3. Presides over a joint sitting of the two Houses and has a casting vote in case of a tie - 1 mark.

Answer: The Speaker (1) presides over the Lok Sabha and keeps order, (2) decides whether a bill is a Money Bill, and (3) presides over joint sittings of Parliament and gives a casting vote when votes are equal.

Rajya Sabha: composition, election, term and presiding officer

The Rajya Sabha represents the states. Its maximum strength is 250: up to 238 representatives of the states and Union Territories, and 12 members nominated by the President from people with special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service. Seats are given to states roughly according to population, so the states do not have equal representation.

Election: members representing a state are elected indirectly by the elected members of that state's Legislative Assembly, by proportional representation through the single transferable vote.

Qualifications: a citizen of India, at least 30 years old, not holding an office of profit, and fulfilling the other conditions laid down by Parliament.

Term: the Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and is never dissolved. Each member has a term of six years, and one-third of the members retire every two years, so the House continues while its membership is renewed in stages.

Presiding officer: the Vice-President of India is the ex officio Chairman. The Deputy Chairman, elected by members from among themselves, presides in the Chairman's absence.

Worked example

(3 marks) The Rajya Sabha is called a permanent House. Explain.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. The Rajya Sabha as a body is never dissolved, unlike the Lok Sabha - 1 mark.
2. Each member has a term of six years - 1 mark.
3. One-third of the members retire every second year and new members are elected in their place, so the House continues without a break - 1 mark.

Answer: The Rajya Sabha is permanent because it is never dissolved. Its members serve six-year terms, and one-third of them retire every two years, being replaced by newly elected members, so the House as a whole continues without a break.

Powers and functions of Parliament; exclusive powers of each House

Legislative: makes laws on the Union List and the Concurrent List, and on residuary subjects. It can also make laws on the State List (1) when the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting that it is in the national interest, (2) during a National Emergency, (3) when two or more state legislatures request it, (4) to give effect to international treaties, and (5) when President's Rule is in force in a state.
Financial: passes the annual budget; no tax can be levied or money spent without its approval; it checks spending through committees and the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Judicial: impeaches the President; removes judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts; can punish for breach of its privileges.
Electoral: elected members of both Houses, with the elected members of state assemblies, elect the President; members of both Houses elect the Vice-President.
Amendment: amends the Constitution under Article 368.
Control over the executive: through questions, motions (adjournment, no-confidence, cut motions) and debates; the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Exclusive powers of the Lok Sabha: Money Bills are introduced only here; a no-confidence motion can be moved only here; the Council of Ministers is responsible only to it; it has the final say on Money Bills.
Exclusive powers of the Rajya Sabha: by a two-thirds resolution it can let Parliament legislate on a State List subject in the national interest; by a two-thirds resolution it can let Parliament create new All-India Services; a resolution to remove the Vice-President must start in the Rajya Sabha.

Worked example

(4 marks) Mention two powers exclusive to the Lok Sabha and two powers exclusive to the Rajya Sabha.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

1. Lok Sabha: a Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha - 1 mark.
2. Lok Sabha: a no-confidence motion can be moved only in the Lok Sabha, as the Council of Ministers is responsible to it - 1 mark.
3. Rajya Sabha: it can, by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting, authorise Parliament to make laws on a State List subject in the national interest - 1 mark.
4. Rajya Sabha: it can, by a two-thirds resolution, authorise the creation of new All-India Services - 1 mark.

Answer: Lok Sabha: Money Bills originate only there, and only it can pass a no-confidence motion. Rajya Sabha: only it can pass a two-thirds resolution allowing Parliament to legislate on a State List subject in the national interest, and only it can authorise new All-India Services.

The Union Legislature in real life

Each concept, met in an everyday situation. Read the situation, answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Topics in this chapter

• Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha: Composition, Term and Powers
• Parliamentary Procedures and the Anti-Defection Law
• Passing of Ordinary and Money Bills; The Speaker

The Union Legislature: key facts

Lok Sabha strength

Maximum 550 elected (up to 530 from states, up to 20 from Union Territories); 543 seats at present

Nomination of two Anglo-Indian members ended in 2020 (104th Amendment).

Rajya Sabha strength

Maximum 250: up to 238 elected from states and UTs + 12 nominated by the President

Nominated for literature, science, art and social service.

Minimum age

Lok Sabha 25 years; Rajya Sabha 30 years

Voters must be 18.

Terms

Lok Sabha 5 years (can be dissolved earlier); Rajya Sabha permanent, member 6 years, one-third retire every 2 years

Extension of the Lok Sabha only during a National Emergency, one year at a time, ending within 6 months of the emergency.

Quorum

One-tenth of the total membership of the House, including the presiding officer

No quorum: the presiding officer adjourns or suspends the sitting.

Gap between sessions

Not more than 6 months

Usually three sessions: Budget, Monsoon, Winter.

Motions needing 50 members

Adjournment motion; no-confidence motion

Both are Lok Sabha devices.

Money Bill in the Rajya Sabha

Must be returned within 14 days, else deemed passed

Recommendations only; no joint sitting.

Anti-Defection Law

52nd Amendment, 1985: Tenth Schedule; merger exception needs two-thirds of the legislature party

The one-third split exception was removed in 2003.

Speaker's removal

Resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha, after 14 days' notice

The Speaker can vote in the first instance but not cast a deciding vote then.

How the board asks The Union Legislature

The question patterns to expect, and the method that works for each.

Tricks to remember The Union Legislature

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

• 25-30, 5-6

  Lok Sabha: 25 years old, 5-year House. Rajya Sabha: 30 years old, 6-year member.

  Use it when: Qualification and term questions.

• One-tenth to sit, fifty to move

  Quorum is one-tenth; an adjournment or no-confidence motion needs 50 members.

  Use it when: Situation MCQs about attendance and motions.

• Star = Speak

  Starred questions are spoken (oral answer with supplementaries); unstarred are written.

  Use it when: Distinguishing types of questions.

• LS: Money and No-confidence; RS: States and Services

  Lok Sabha's exclusives are about money and confidence; Rajya Sabha's are about state subjects and All-India Services (plus starting the removal of the Vice-President).

  Use it when: Exclusive powers questions.

• 14 for money, 6 months for ordinary

  A Money Bill is deemed passed if the Rajya Sabha holds it 14 days; an Ordinary Bill held for 6 months can go to a joint sitting.

  Use it when: Comparing the two kinds of bills.

The Union Legislature: board-level solved questions

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Cover the solution, write your own, then compare step by step.

Case-study practice (Section B style)

Read the situation, then answer every part. In the board paper this is a 10-mark question split into 3 + 3 + 4 marks.

Where the marks are

How a typical answer is split into step marks. Show every step: a right final answer alone rarely earns full marks.

Where students lose marks in The Union Legislature

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

• ✗Mistake: Mixing up the term of the Rajya Sabha with the term of its members

  CISCE examiners' comments, 2024: candidates could not distinguish between the term of the Rajya Sabha and the term of its members.

  Wrong working

  The Rajya Sabha has a term of six years.

  Right working

  The Rajya Sabha is never dissolved; each member has a six-year term and one-third of the members retire every two years.

  ✓Do this: Write two separate facts: the House is permanent; the member serves six years.

  Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks in a 3-mark 'permanent House' answer.

• ✗Mistake: Not knowing the exclusive powers of the Rajya Sabha

  CISCE examiners' comments, 2024: candidates gave Lok Sabha powers but failed to identify the exclusive powers of the Rajya Sabha.

  Wrong working

  Rajya Sabha: it can pass Ordinary Bills and discuss the budget.

  Right working

  Rajya Sabha: by a two-thirds resolution it can let Parliament legislate on a State List subject in the national interest, and it can authorise new All-India Services.

  ✓Do this: Learn the two Rajya Sabha exclusives as a pair: 'States and Services'. Shared powers are not exclusive.

  Usually costs: 2 of the 4 marks.

• ✗Mistake: Thinking an adjournment motion dissolves the House or brings down the government

  CISCE examiners' comments, 2025: candidates assumed an adjournment motion leads to dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

  Wrong working

  If an adjournment motion is passed, the Lok Sabha is dissolved.

  Right working

  If an adjournment motion is admitted, the House sets aside its business to discuss the urgent matter; only the President can dissolve the Lok Sabha.

  ✓Do this: Link each device to its result: adjournment motion = discussion; no-confidence motion = resignation of the ministry; dissolution = President, on the PM's advice.

  Usually costs: The full mark on an MCQ; 1 mark in a short answer.

• ✗Mistake: Wrong or vague answer on extending the Lok Sabha's term

  CISCE examiners' comments, 2025: candidates could not correctly state when the Lok Sabha's term can be extended.

  Wrong working

  The President can extend the Lok Sabha's term whenever needed.

  Right working

  Only during a National Emergency, by a law of Parliament, for one year at a time, and not beyond six months after the emergency ends.

  ✓Do this: Learn the three parts: emergency, one year at a time, six months after.

  Usually costs: 1 mark.

• ✗Mistake: Unclear about the no-confidence motion

  CISCE examiners' comments, 2025: candidates were uncertain about the concept and implications of a no-confidence motion.

  Wrong working

  A no-confidence motion is passed against a minister who is not doing his job.

  Right working

  It is moved in the Lok Sabha against the whole Council of Ministers; if passed, the Prime Minister and all ministers must resign.

  ✓Do this: Stress 'collective': the motion is against the whole ministry, and only in the Lok Sabha.

  Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks in a 3-mark term question.

• ✗Mistake: Giving only one or two State List circumstances, or mixing them with Rajya Sabha powers

  CISCE examiners' comments, 2025: candidates gave only one or two correct circumstances or confused this with the exclusive powers of the Rajya Sabha.

  ✓Do this: Learn five circumstances: Rajya Sabha resolution, National Emergency, request of two or more states, international treaty, President's Rule. Write three clear ones.

  Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks.

Practice questions on The Union Legislature

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

   Who presides over a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament?
   (a) The President
   (b) The Vice-President
   (c) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
   (d) The Prime Minister

   Hint

   The joint sitting is held in the larger House's style.

   Answer

   (c) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

2. Q2 · 1 mark · MCQHarder board level

   Arrange in the correct order: (1) third reading, (2) President's assent, (3) introduction, (4) committee stage.
   (a) 3, 4, 1, 2
   (b) 3, 1, 4, 2
   (c) 4, 3, 1, 2
   (d) 1, 3, 4, 2

   Hint

   The committee stage is part of the second reading.

   Answer

   (a) 3, 4, 1, 2: introduction (first reading), committee stage (second reading), third reading, President's assent.

3. Q3 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level

   Analogy: Lok Sabha : Speaker :: Rajya Sabha : ________

   Hint

   Who is the ex officio presiding officer?

   Answer

   Chairman (the Vice-President of India).

4. Q4 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level

   A member wants to know the number of new airports built last year and is happy with a written reply. Which type of question should she ask, and can she ask a supplementary question?

   Hint

   Written replies belong to one kind of question.

   Answer

   An unstarred question. Its answer is given in writing and laid on the table, so no supplementary question can be asked.

5. Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

   Explain the composition of the Rajya Sabha.

   Hint

   Number, nominated members, method of election.

   Answer

   The Rajya Sabha has a maximum of 250 members: up to 238 represent the states and Union Territories, and 12 are nominated by the President for special knowledge of literature, science, art or social service. State representatives are elected by the elected members of the state Legislative Assemblies by proportional representation through the single transferable vote.

6. Q6 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

   State the judicial and electoral powers of Parliament (two each).

   Hint

   Impeachment and removal; elections of the President and the Vice-President.

   Answer

   Judicial: (1) it can impeach the President for violation of the Constitution; (2) it can remove judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts (it may also punish for breach of privilege). Electoral: (1) elected members of both Houses take part, with elected state MLAs, in electing the President; (2) members of both Houses elect the Vice-President.

7. Q7 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

   Why is a short notice question different from an ordinary starred question? Who decides whether it will be answered at short notice?

   Hint

   Think of notice period and urgency.

   Answer

   A short notice question concerns a matter of urgent public importance and is asked at shorter notice than the rules normally require; it is answered orally and supplementaries may follow. The minister concerned decides whether the matter is urgent enough to be answered at short notice.

8. Q8 · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

   'The Rajya Sabha has less power than the Lok Sabha, yet it is not useless.' Evaluate this statement with two arguments on each side.

   Hint

   Money Bills and confidence on one side; state interests, revision and continuity on the other.

   Answer

   Less power: (1) it can only recommend changes to Money Bills within 14 days; (2) it cannot remove the Council of Ministers, which is responsible to the Lok Sabha. Still useful: (1) it represents the states and alone can authorise Parliament to legislate on State List subjects in the national interest or create All-India Services; (2) as a permanent House it gives continuity and revises hasty legislation, and its nominated members bring expertise.

9. Q9 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

   Under what circumstances is the President likely to summon a joint sitting? Why can a joint sitting not be held on a Money Bill?

   Hint

   Disagreement on an Ordinary Bill; the 14-day rule.

   Answer

   A joint sitting may be summoned when one House rejects a bill passed by the other, when the Houses disagree on amendments, or when six months pass without the other House passing it. It is not needed for a Money Bill because the Rajya Sabha can only recommend; if it does not return the bill in 14 days it is deemed passed, so a deadlock cannot arise.

10. Q10 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    Mention any two disqualifications for membership of Parliament other than age.

    Hint

    Office of profit; insolvency; unsound mind.

    Answer

    A person is disqualified if he or she holds an office of profit under the government, or is an undischarged insolvent (also: of unsound mind, not a citizen of India, or disqualified under a law of Parliament).

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1. 1.What is the minimum age to become a member of the Lok Sabha and of the Rajya Sabha?Show answer

   25 years for the Lok Sabha; 30 years for the Rajya Sabha.

2. 2.How many members can the President nominate to the Rajya Sabha?Show answer

   12, for special knowledge of literature, science, art and social service.

3. 3.What is the quorum of either House?Show answer

   One-tenth of the total membership, including the presiding officer.

4. 4.Who certifies a Money Bill?Show answer

   The Speaker of the Lok Sabha; the decision is final.

5. 5.Within how many days must the Rajya Sabha return a Money Bill?Show answer

   14 days.

6. 6.Which amendment added the Anti-Defection Law, and in which Schedule?Show answer

   The 52nd Amendment, 1985; the Tenth Schedule.

7. 7.Who is the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?Show answer

   The Vice-President of India.

8. 8.How is a Speaker removed?Show answer

   By a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Lok Sabha, after 14 days' notice.

9. 9.What is Zero Hour?Show answer

   The time after Question Hour, about 12 noon, when urgent matters are raised without prior notice.

Quick revision checklist

The night before the exam: can you do each of these without looking?

• ☐Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha.
• ☐Lok Sabha: directly elected, maximum 550 elected, 543 at present; 25 years; 5-year term; can be dissolved.
• ☐Rajya Sabha: maximum 250 (238 + 12 nominated); indirectly elected by state MLAs; 30 years; permanent, member 6 years, one-third retire every 2 years.
• ☐Quorum: one-tenth of membership. Sessions: gap not more than 6 months.
• ☐Starred = oral + supplementaries; unstarred = written; short notice = urgent, oral.
• ☐Zero Hour: after Question Hour, about noon, no notice, Indian innovation.
• ☐Adjournment motion: urgent matter, 50 members; no-confidence motion: Lok Sabha only, 50 members, ministry resigns if passed.
• ☐Anti-defection: 52nd Amendment, Tenth Schedule; merger needs two-thirds; Speaker decides.
• ☐Money Bill: Lok Sabha only, President's recommendation, Speaker certifies, Rajya Sabha 14 days, no joint sitting.
• ☐Rajya Sabha exclusives: State List resolution, All-India Services, start of removal of the Vice-President.

The Union Legislature: frequently asked questions