2.

If a member becomes subject to any of the disqualifications

laid down in the Constitution or an Act of Parliament.

Question 16

Mention any one provision of the Constitution which clearly

establishes the supremacy of the Lok Sabha with regard to money
bills. What happens when a Money Bill is not returned by the
Rajya Sabha in 14 days?

Answer

One provision of the Constitution which clearly establishes the

supremacy of the Lok Sabha with regard to money bills is that a
money bill can only originate in the Lok Sabha.

If a Money Bill is not returned by the Rajya Sabha within 14 days

of its receipt, it shall be deemed to have been passed by both
Houses in the form in which it was passed by the Lok Sabha.

Question 17

Which bodies have the right to legislate on subjects in the

Concurrent List? What happens in the case of conflict between
such laws?

Answer

In India, the Parliament and the State legislature both have the
power to legislate the subjects of concurrent list.

In the case of conflict between such laws, the central law has
been designed to prevail over the state law.

Question 18

If the President does not give his assent to a Bill, what happens?

Answer

The Bill is sent back to the Parliament for reconsideration.

However, if the Bill is passed again with or without amendments
the President is bound to give his assent to the Bill.
Structured Questions

Question 1

India has opted for a federal system of government with a strong

unitary bias. In this context answer the following questions:

(a) List any three federal features of government in India.

(b) List any two conditions when the Parliament can make laws on
Subjects in the State List.

(c) Write short notes on any two unitary features of the

government in India.
Answer

(a) Three federal features of government in India are:

1. There is a division of legislative and administrative powers

between the Union and the State Governments and none of
them could violate the limitations imposed by the
Constitution. The Supreme Court stands at the head of
Judiciary to safeguard this distribution of powers and to
prevent any action which violates the limitations imposed by
the Constitution.
2. The States have been given the right to participate in the
functioning of the government. India has a bicameral
legislature, i.e., the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The
Rajya Sabha mainly comprises representatives of the States.
3. No system of federation can be successful unless both the
Union and the States have adequate financial resources to
enable them to discharge their duties. The Constitution of
India has made provisions for the distribution of revenue
between the Centre and the States. This distribution has
ensured equitable distribution of the financial resources
between the two units.

(b) The Parliament can make laws on Subjects in the State List:

1. During the Proclamation of an Emergency.

2. When the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds
majority that a subject in the State List has assumed national
importance.

(c) Two unitary features of the government in India are described

below:

1. A Single Constitution for Union and States — The States

in India have not been given any right to make their own
Constitution. The framers of the Constitution have provided
for a single common and unified Constitution, both for the
Centre and the States.
2. Single Citizenship — The Indian Constitution provides for
single citizenship of India which is common to all the people
of various States and Union Territories.

Question 2

With reference to the powers of the Union Parliament, state the

following:

(a) Three of its Legislative Powers.

(b) Three of its Financial Powers.

(c) Four of its Administrative or Executive Powers.

Answer

(a) Three legislative powers of the Union Parliament are-

1. Matters in the Union List — The Parliament has exclusive

powers to make laws on all the subjects mentioned in the
Union List, including important subjects like Defence,
Banking, Communications, Foreign Affairs, etc.
2. Matters in the Concurrent List — Along with the State
Legislative Assemblies, the Parliament can make laws on the
subjects listed in the Concurrent List, for example education,
forests, adoption, succession, trade union. If there is a
conflict between the Union Parliament and the State
Legislature on any law in this list, the Union Law will prevail.
3. Residuary Powers — The Parliament possesses residuary
powers. It means that it can make laws with respect to all
those matters which are not mentioned in any of the three
Lists — the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List.

(b) Three financial powers of the Union Parliament are-

1. The Budget — The Parliament passes the Union Budget

containing the estimates of receipts and expenditure of the
Government for a financial year. The Railway Budget was
integrated with the Union budget from 2017-18.
2. Supplementary Grants — If the amount authorised for the
current financial year is not sufficient, the Government may
make a fresh demand known as the 'Supplementary Grant.'
3. Salaries — The salaries and allowances of MPs and
Ministers are determined by Parliament.

(c) Four executive powers of the Union Parliament are-

1. Vote of No-Confidence — If a Government acts against the

Constitutional provisions, it can be voted out of office by
passing a vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister,
or the Ministry as a whole or any of its members. In such a
case, the whole Ministry has to resign.
2. Adjournment Motion — Motion for adjournment is aimed at
censuring the acts of omission and commission of the
Ministers.
3. Other Motions of Censure — The Parliament exercises its
control over the Government by other motions which, if
passed, amount to no-confidence. They include: motions of
censure against a minister, rejection of a Government Bill,
passing of a private member's bill against the wishes of the
Government, etc.
4. Monetary Controls — During the budget session a cut
motion may be moved. Parliamentary Committee on Public
Accounts ensures that public money is spent in accordance
 with Parliament's decision. It examines reports of the
Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.

Question 3

With reference to the composition of the Lok Sabha answer the

following questions:

(a) What is the maximum strength fixed by the Constitution? What

is the term of the House? By whom and on whose advice can the
Lok Sabha be dissolved?

(b) State any three qualifications needed to contest for the Lok
Sabha seat.

(c) Give two reasons to justify how the Lok Sabha is more
powerful than the Rajya Sabha.

Answer

(a) The composition of the Lok Sabha

The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha, as provided by the
Constitution is 550. Out of this,

1. not more than 530 members shall represent the States

2. not more than 20 members shall represent the Union
Territories

The term of the Lok Sabha

1. According to the Constitution the term of the Lok Sabha is

five years.
2. However, it can be dissolved before the expiry of its normal
term by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
3. During the proclamation of an emergency the period of the
Lok Sabha may be extended by Parliament for one year at a
time.
4. The new Lok Sabha must be elected within six months after
the national emergency is lifted.

(b) Conditions needed for a person to be a member of Lok Sabha

are:

1. He should be an Indian citizen.

2. He should be at least 25 years of age.
3. He should have his name in the electoral rolls in some part of
the country.

(c) The Lok Sabha has special powers which make it more
powerful than the Rajya Sabha. These special powers are:

1. Motions of No-confidence against the government can only

be introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha. If passed by a
majority vote, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers
 resign collectively. The Rajya Sabha has no power over such
a motion, and hence no real power over the executive.
2. Money bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, and
upon being passed, are sent to the Rajya Sabha, where it
can be deliberated on for up to 14 days.

Question 4

With reference to the powers and functions of the Speaker of the

Lok Sabha state the following:

(a) Any three functions to regulate proceedings of the House.

(b) Any three administrative functions.

(c) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha occupies a position of great

authority and responsibility. Give reasons to support this
statement.

Answer

(a) Three functions of the Speaker which regulate proceedings of

the House are-

1. The Speaker presides over the meetings of the House. All

speeches and remarks are addressed to the Speaker. He
allots time for discussion.
2. The Speaker interprets the rules of procedure of the House.
His decision in all parliamentary matters is final.
3. All Bills passed by the House are signed by him before they
are sent to the Rajya Sabha for its consideration or to the
President for his assent.

(b) Three administrative functions of the Speaker are-

1. The Speaker receives all petitions and documents in the

House.
2. He communicates the decisions of the House to the
concerned authorities.
3. He regulates the admission of visitors and Press
correspondents to the galleries of the House.

(c) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha occupies a position of great

authority and responsibility.

1. In the Table of Precedence, he ranks higher than all Cabinet

Ministers, other than the Prime Minister himself.
2. With respect to the discharge of his powers and functions, the
speaker is not answerable to anyone except the House.
3. No court of law can go into the merits of a ruling given by
him.

Question 5
With reference to the powers of the Rajya Sabha, state the
following:

(a) Any two of its legislative and one financial power.

(b) Any three of its administrative powers.

(c) (i) Any two of its exclusive (special) powers.

(ii) Any two electoral functions.

Answer

(a) Two legislative powers of Rajya Sabha are-

1. Except for Money Bills, all bills can be introduced in the Rajya
Sabha.
2. None of the bills can become a law unless agreed to by both
Houses of the Parliament. In case of conflict between the two
houses of the Parliament, a joint sitting is presided over by
the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

One financial power of Rajya Sabha is that it can delay a money

bill by a maximum of 14 days.

(b) Three administrative powers of Rajya Sabha are-

1. Rajya Sabha can make laws on all the subjects mentioned in

the Union and Concurrent lists.
2. It can punish a person for obstructing the work of the House
or showing disrespect to the House.
3. It can remove the President from office through the procedure
of impeachment.

(c) (i) Two exclusive powers of Rajya Sabha are-

1. Though the Parliament cannot, in normal times, make laws

on a states subject, the Constitution states that under Article
249, the Rajya Sabha may, by resolution adopted by two-
thirds majority empower the Parliament should make laws
with respect to a matter in the State List. The Lok Sabha has
no authority to assert itself in such matters.
2. The other special power enjoyed by the Rajya Sabha is that it
may declare that the creation of new All-India Services be
made in the national interest. Thereupon Parliament may
create new services.

(c) (ii) Two electoral functions of Rajya Sabha are-

1. The Vice-President of India is elected by both the Houses of

the Parliament.
2. Rajya Sabha elects its Deputy Chairman from among its
members.

Question 6
With reference to the differences in the powers of two Houses
answer the following questions:

(a) Compare and contrast the elections to both the Houses.

(b) What is the procedure that should be followed if there is a

deadlock between the two Houses of the Parliament on a non-
money bill?

(c) What is the difference between a money bill and a non-money

bill?

Answer

(a) Comparison between the elections to both the Houses is listed

below:

Election of members to Lok Sabha —

1. The Lok Sabha is the House of the People.

2. The 550 members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the
people of India.
3. The allotment of members to the various States is made on
the population basis.

Election of members to Rajya Sabha —

1. The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha can be 250

members.
2. 12 members are nominated by the President from among
persons having special knowledge or practical experience in
matters such as literature, science, art and social service.
3. The representatives of each State in the Rajya Sabha are
elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly
of each State in accordance with the system of proportional
representation by means of a single transferable vote.
4. The representatives of the Union Territories are chosen in
such a manner as Parliament may prescribe.
5. The three representatives from Delhi are elected by the
members of the Legislative Assembly.

(b) Ordinary Bills may originate in either House of the Parliament.

1. If there is disagreement between the two Houses, the bill is

referred to a joint-sitting of both the Houses.
2. In such cases both the Houses are placed on an equal
footing.
3. However, the Rajya Sabha is in a weaker position, since the
total membership of Rajya Sabha is less than even half of the
total strength of the Lok Sabha.
4. Besides, the joint session is presided over by the Speaker of
the Lok Sabha.
(c) The differences between a money bill and a non-money bill
are as follows:

Non-money bill Money Bill

It can be introduced in either It can be introduced only in

Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. Lok Sabha.

Money Bill can be

Ordinary Bill can be introduced
introduced only on the
without the recommendation of
recommendation of the
the President.
President.

Either a Minister or private Only a Minister is allowed to

member can introduce ordinary introduce Money Bill in the
bill. Parliament.

If the Ordinary Bill originated in

Money Bill requires the
the Lok Sabha, then it does not
certification of the Lok
require the approval of the
Sabha Speaker when
speaker when transmitted to
transmitted to Rajya Sabha.
Rajya Sabha.

The Money Bill can be

The Rajya Sabha has the
detained for a maximum
power to detain the Ordinary
period of 14 days only by
Bill for a period of 6 months.
the Rajya Sabha.

Money Bill cannot be

Ordinary Bill can be returned returned for reconsideration
for reconsideration, accepted by the President. The
or rejected by the President. President can only accept
or reject it.

In case of Money Bill, if

In case of deadlock on
there is a deadlock, there is
Ordinary Bill there is a
no provision of a joint
provision of a joint sitting.
sitting.

Picture Study

Question 1

This picture is a symbol of our democratic rule. In this context,

answer the following:
 (a) How does the Parliament symbolise that the people of India
make laws for themselves?

(b) Suppose you want to be a Member of the Lok Sabha and your
name is enrolled in the electoral roll in another State and you wish
to contest the election from the State where you are residing now.
Can you still contest the elections for the Lok Sabha? What other
qualifications you need to have to contest the elections? Can you
become a member of the Upper House?

(c) When you grow up, you will have a chance to be an MP. Would
you like to be an MP in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha? Why?

Section A — Chapter
5 Search by lesson title Answer
The Muslim League

Section A — Chapter 6
Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement
(a) The Parliament symbolises that the people of India make laws
CONTENTS
Section A — Chapter 7
for themselves as both the houses of the Parliament have citizens
Multiple Choice Questions
Quit India Movement
of India as their members. Short Answer Questions
Section A — Chapter 8
Structured Questions
Forward Bloc and The INA
1. Lok Sabha — The Lok Sabha is the House of the People. Its Picture Study
Section A — Chapter 9
Independence and Partition of India members are directly elected by the people of India.
Section A — Chapter 10 2. Rajya Sabha — The members of Rajya Sabha fall into two
The First World War
categories - nominated and elected. The 12 nominated
Section A — Chapter 11
Rise of Dictatorships members are nominated by the President from among
Section A — Chapter 12
The Second World War
persons having special knowledge or practical experience in

Section A — Chapter 13
matters such as literature, science, art and social service.
United Nations
The remaining 238 representatives of each State in the Rajya
Section A — Chapter 14
Major Agencies of the United Nations
Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative
Assembly of each State in accordance with the system of
proportional representation by means of a single transferable
vote.

(b) Yes, I can still contest the elections for the Lok Sabha from the
state where I am residing as according to the qualifications for
membership, my name should be in the electoral rolls in some
part of the country.

Other qualifications that I need to have to contest the elections

are:

1. I should be an Indian citizen.

2. I should be at least 25 years of age.
3. I should not be an insolvent.
4. I should not hold any office of profit under the government.
5. I should not be a proclaimed criminal.
6. I should not be of unsound mind.

No, I cannot become a member of the Upper House as members

of Rajya Sabha are not elected directly by the people. Instead,
they are elected by the elected members of the Legislative
Assembly of each State in accordance with the system of
proportional representation by means of a single transferable