UPSC CDS-2

Which among the following is not a condition for the disqualification of a Member of Parliament?

Disqualification of a Member of Parliament can occur on several grounds listed in the Constitution (Article 102) and the Representation of the People Act, 1951, including voluntarily acquiring foreign citizenship (A) and holding an office of profit under the government (B and D could potentially be offices of profit depending on their specific nature and whether they are exempted by law). Abstaining from voting in the House *without prior permission* is relevant to disqualification under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law), but the strict condition is voting or abstaining contrary to any direction (whip) issued by the political party, *unless* such vote or abstention is condoned by the party within fifteen days. Merely abstaining without permission, without violating a whip, is not a ground for disqualification. Thus, the phrasing in C is not an independent, always applicable condition for disqualification.

While violating a party whip by abstaining *can* lead to disqualification under the anti-defection law, simply abstaining without permission is not a direct, universally applicable ground without reference to a whip or other rules. Acquisition of foreign citizenship (A) and holding certain offices (like potential offices of profit in B and D) are more direct grounds unless exempted.

Office of Profit is a complex concept; holding a position is disqualifying if it is considered an office of profit under the government and is not exempted by Parliament. Acquiring foreign citizenship automatically leads to cessation of Indian citizenship and thus disqualification. Defection grounds relate to changing parties or violating party directives/whips on voting/abstention.