Union Legislature Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 4

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Reviewing AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Study Material Chapter 4 Union Legislature Questions and Answers can help students prepare confidently for exams.

AP Inter 2nd Year Civics 4th Lesson Union Legislature Questions and Answers

Very Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Enumerate the qualifications of a Lok Sabha member.
Answer:
Qualifications of a Lok Sabha member as per Article 84 :
The contestant

  1. should be a citizen of India.
  2. should have completed 25 years of age.
  3. should not hold my office of profit under the Union or State Government.
  4. should possess such other qualifications as prescribed by Parliament by law.

Question 2.
Quorum of Lok Sabha.
Answer:
Quorum means the minimum number of members required to conduct the proceedings of the Lok Sabha. It is fixed at one-tenth of the total membership of the House. If quorum is not present, the Speaker may adjourn the House or suspend the sitting.

Article 100 of the Constitution of India deals with the quorum of Parliament.

Question 3.
How many types of Bills are introduced in the Indian Parliament?
Answer:
A Bill is a proposed law introduced in the Parliament of India for consideration.
Bills introduced in Parliament are broadly classified in two ways:

  1. Public Bills (Government Bills) – introduced by ministers; related to public matters
  2. Private Bills – introduced by non-minister members; related to individual or specific issues

Bills may also be classified in four categories:

  1. Ordinary Bills
  2. Money Bills
  3. Financial Bills
  4. Constitution Amendment Bills

Question 4.
What is an agenda?
Answer:
An agenda is the list of items scheduled for discussion and transaction of business in the House.

Question 5.
On what basis are members nominated to the Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
As per the Constitution, the President of India can nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha on the basis of their special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, art, and social service.

Union Legislature Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 4

Question 6.
What is Question Hour in the Indian Parliament?
Answer:
The first hour of every sitting is devoted to Question Hour in both Houses of Parliament.
Parliamentary sittings usually begin at 11.00 am. Members, after giving prior notice, may ask questions relating to public matters, administrative actions, or government policies.

Questions are three types:

  •  Starred Questions
  • Unstarred Questions
  • Short Notice Questions

Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Write any four special powers of the Lok Sabha.
Answer:
The Lok Sabha enjoys several special powers compared to the Rajya Sabha, because it directly represents the people of the country. It plays a very important role in the democratic system of India. The powers of Lok Sabha help it control the government and make important financial and legislative decisions.

Special Powers of the Lok Sabha:

  1. Money Bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject a Money Bill; it can only make recommendations.
  2. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the final authority to decide whether a Bill is a Money Bill.
  3. The Rajya Sabha may discuss the Union Budget but cannot vote on Demands for Grants, which is the exclusive privilege of the Lok Sabha.
  4. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides over a joint sitting of Parliament; the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha cannot preside over such sittings.
  5. A No-Confidence Motion can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, and the Council of Ministers remains in office only as long as it enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
  6. A resolution for the revocation of a National Emergency can be passed only by the Lok Sabha.

Question 2.
Spell out the important functions of the Estimates Committee.
Answer:
The Estimates Committee has 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha has no representation in it. The members are elected for a term of one year. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha appoints the Chairman. The committee works continuously and examines government expenditure, visits projects, and gives suggestions for better administration and economy.

Functions of the Estimates Committee:

  1. Suggests economy in expenditure and improvements in organisation and administer efficiency of the Union Government.
  2. Examines whether public funds are spent according to the estimates.
  3. Examines matters referred by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
  4. Reviews whether expenditure is within the policy framework of the estimates.
    Because of its continuous scrutiny of expenditure, the Estimates Committee is known the “Continuous Economy Committee.”

Question 3.
Write any four special powers of the Rajya Sabha.
Answer:
The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Indian Parliament. It represents the states and plays an important role in the law-making process. Along with ordinary powers, the Rajya Sabha also enjoys some special powers which are not available to the Lok Sabha.

Four special powers of Rajya Sabha:

  1.  The Rajya Sabha may authorise Parliament to legislate on a subject in the State List in the national interest by passing a resolution under Article 249.
  2. The Rajya Sabha may authorise the creation of All India Services by passing a resolution under Article 312.
  3. A resolution for the removal of the Vice President of India can be introduced only in the Rajya Sabha.
  4. The Rajya Sabha alone has nominated members.

Question 4.
Briefly explain the procedure for amendment under Article 368.
Answer:
Article 368 explains the procedure for amending the Indian Constitution. It gives Parliament the power to amend the Constitution by addition, modification, or repeal of provisions, without disturbing its basic structure. The Indian Constitution combines both rigid and flexible methods of amendment, inspired partly by the South African Constitution.

There are three types of constitutional amendments:

  1. Amendment by Simple Majority of Parliament: Certain provisions can be amended by a simple majority of members present and voting in both Houses of Parliament.
  2. Amendment by Special Majority of Parliament: Most constitutional amendments require a special majority in both Houses of Parliament.
  3. Amendment by Special Majority and Ratification by States: Some amendments also require ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures along with a special majority in Parliament.

Union Legislature Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 4

Question 5.
What are the grounds for disqualification of a Member of Parliament under the Tenth Schedule?
Answer:
Disqualifications of an MP under the Tenth Schedule (Article 102(2)):

Under Article 102(2), a person is disqualified from being a Member of Parliament if he/she is disqualified on the ground of defection. The anti-defection provisions were inserted Constitution by the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985, through the Tenth Schedule member is disqualified under the Tenth Schedule on the following grounds:

  1. If he/she voluntarily gives up the membership of the political party on whose he or she was elected.
  2. If he/she votes or abstains from voting in the House contrary to the direction of the political party.
  3. If an independent member joins any political party after the election.
  4. If a nominated member joins any political party after six months from the taking his/her seat in the House.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Explain any eight powers and functions of the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Answer:
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha enjoys wide powers under the Constitution of India and the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha. These powers are given to ensure the smooth, impartial, and efficient functioning of the House. The Speaker maintains order, conducts proceedings, and safeguards the dignity and privileges of the Lok Sabha.

Powers and Functions of the Speaker of Lok Sabha:

  1. The Speaker presides over the sittings of the Lok Sabha and conducts its proceedings with dignity, order, and efficiency.
  2. Speaker determines the agenda of the sittings in prior consultation with the Leader of the House.
  3. Speaker allots time to members for debates, regulates discussions, conducts voting when required, and declares the results.
  4. Speaker transmits Bills passed by the Lok Sabha to the Rajya Sabha and, after receiving Bills from the Rajya Sabha, certifies and forwards them to the President of India for assent.
  5. Speaker represents the Lok Sabha and issues messages and directions on its behalf.
  6. Speaker safeguards the rights and privileges of members and ensures impartiality between the Treasury and Opposition benches through authoritative rulings.
  7. Speaker has the authority to determine whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not. He/she grants permission to members to introduce Bills in the House and affixes his/ her signature on Bills passed by the House.
  8. Speaker constitutes various House committees and appoints their chairpersons.
  9. Speaker exercises a casting vote in the event of a tie on a Bill.
  10. Speaker conducts the election of the Deputy Speaker in case of a vacancy.

Question 2.
Describe the unique features of the Union Legislature.
Answer:
The Union Legislature is the supreme law-making body of India. It consists of the President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha represents the people, while the Rajya Sabha represents the states. It makes laws, discusses important national issues and controls the government.

Unique features of the Union Legislature:

  1. Bicameral Structure: Parliament consists of two Houses, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
  2. Constitutional Authority: Parliament is not fully sovereign; it functions within the limits of the Constitution.
  3. Unequal Powers: The two Houses do not have equal powers. The Lok Sabha is more powerful in financial matters and confidence motions.
  4. Multiple Powers: Parliament exercises legislative, executive, and limited judicial powers.
  5. Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha: The Vice-President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
  6. Impartial Speaker of the Lok Sabha: The Speaker, though usually from the ruling party, is expected to conduct the proceedings impartially.
  7. Nominated Members: Some members of the Rajya Sabha are nominated by the President for their contributions to literature, science, art or social service.

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term of
1. Three years
2. Four years
3. Five years
4. Six years
Answer:
4. Six years

Question 2.
The Indian Parliament consists of
1. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
2. Lok Sabha only
3. Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and President
4. Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and Speaker
Answer:
3. Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and President

Question 3.
Who among the following decides whether a bill is a Money Bill?
1. Finance Minister
2. President
3. Speaker
4. Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Answer:
3. Speaker

Question 4.
The power to summon each House of Parliament is vested in
1. President
2. Speaker
3. Vice President
4. Union Cabinet
Answer:
1. President

Question 5.
Under which Article may Parliament by law change the name or boundary lines of States?
1. Article-1
2. Article-3
3. Article-5
4. Article-6
Answer:
2. Article-3

Union Legislature Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 4

Question 6.
How many members are required for the introduction of a No-Confidence Motion in the Lok Sabha?
1. 50 members
2. 60 members
3. 75 members
4. 100 members
Answer:
1. 50 members

Question 7.
Which of the following is exclusively a committee of the Lok Sabha?
1. Committee on Public Undertakings
2. Estimate Committee
3. Committee on Assurances
4. Committee on Rules
Answer:
2. Estimate Committee

Fill in the Blanks

Question 1.
The normal term of the Lok Sabha is __________
Answer:
5 years

Question 2.
The law-making process in our Constitution is borrowed from the __________ Constitution.
Answer:
Britain

Question 3.
The Union Legislature is popularly known as Union Legislature __________.
Answer:
Parliament

Question 4.
Zero Hour starts immediately after the __________
Answer:
Question hour

Question 5.
The Lok Sabha members are elected by __________
Answer:
People

Question 5.
Postponing the proceedings of the House without mentioning the time is called __________.
Answer:
Adjournment sine die

Question 6.
The Committee on Public Undertakings was created in the year __________
Answer:
1964

One Word Answer

Question 1.
Who was the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha in India?
Answer:
GV. Mavalankar

Question 2.
Which is the Upper House of the Indian Parliament?
Answer:
Rajya Sabha

Question 3.
Who is the Chairman of the Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha?
Answer:
Speaker

Question 4.
What is the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
250

Union Legislature Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 4

Question 5.
In which year was the first meeting of the Lok Sabha held?
Answer:
1952

Question 6.
The method of the amendment procedure in the Indian Constitution was taken from which country’s Constitution?
Answer:
South Africa