UPSC Combined Section Officer Archives

1. The term ‘guillotine’ is associated with

The term ‘guillotine’ is associated with

decision-making process in the Parliament

financial procedure in the Parliament

removal of a member from the Parliament

election of the Presiding Officer in the Parliament

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The term ‘guillotine’ in the context of the Parliament refers to the process where, due to lack of time for discussion, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha puts all the remaining demands for grants (part of the budget) to vote at once on the last day allotted for the discussion of the Demands for Grants. This cuts short the discussion and is a significant part of the financial procedure within the Parliament.

– The ‘guillotine’ is applied specifically to the Demands for Grants during the budget session.
– It is a mechanism to ensure the timely passage of the Finance Bill and the Appropriation Bill, which are crucial for the government’s expenditure.
– It prevents lengthy debates from delaying the budgetary process.

The guillotine takes place after the general discussion on the budget and the detailed discussion and voting on specific demands for grants for various ministries/departments are completed for the allotted days. Any demands not discussed by the final day are grouped together and voted upon without further debate. This parliamentary procedure is borrowed from the UK Parliament.

2. How many readings does a non-Money Bill undergo in both the Lok Sabha

How many readings does a non-Money Bill undergo in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha?

One reading

Two readings

Three readings

Four readings

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The correct answer is C) Three readings.

Every Bill, whether a Money Bill or a non-Money Bill (Ordinary Bill), undergoes three readings in each House of Parliament through which it passes. The three readings are:
1. **First Reading:** Introduction of the Bill. This is a formal stage where leave to introduce the Bill is sought, and if granted, the Bill is introduced.
2. **Second Reading:** This is the most important stage where the Bill is discussed in detail, clause by clause. It may also involve reference to a Select Committee or a Joint Committee, or circulation for public opinion.
3. **Third Reading:** At this stage, the debate is confined to the acceptance or rejection of the Bill as a whole. No amendments, except those of a formal nature, are usually allowed.
Thus, a non-Money Bill undergoes three readings in the Lok Sabha and, after being passed, undergoes three readings again in the Rajya Sabha. The question asks about the readings “in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha”, which implies the process within each house.

After passing the third reading in the originating House, the Bill is transmitted to the other House, where it again goes through the same three stages. If both Houses agree to the Bill, it is sent for Presidential assent. If there is a disagreement on an Ordinary Bill, a joint sitting may be convened. Money Bills follow a different procedure regarding Rajya Sabha’s power.

3. Consider the following statements regarding Money Bill : 1. It can

Consider the following statements regarding Money Bill :

1. It can be introduced in either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.
2. It can be returned by the President for reconsideration.
3. It requires the consent of the President before introduction.
4. It cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1 and 2 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

2, 3 and 4 only

3 and 4 only

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The correct answer is D) 3 and 4 only.

Statement 1 is incorrect: A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, not the Rajya Sabha (Article 109(1)).
Statement 2 is incorrect: The President cannot return a Money Bill for reconsideration. He must either give his assent or withhold his assent (Article 111, proviso). This is a key difference between Money Bills and other Bills.
Statement 3 is correct: A Money Bill can be introduced in Lok Sabha only on the recommendation of the President (Article 117(1)).
Statement 4 is correct: As stated in point 1, it cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
Therefore, only statements 3 and 4 are correct.

A Money Bill is defined in Article 110 of the Constitution. It deals with matters such as the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax; the regulation of the borrowing of money or the giving of any guarantee by the Government of India, or the amendment of the law with respect to any financial obligations undertaken or to be undertaken by the Government of India; the custody of the Consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund of India, the payment of moneys into or the withdrawal of moneys from any such Fund, etc. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the final authority to decide whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not.

4. A Bill that has been rejected by either House of the Parliament cannot

A Bill that has been rejected by either House of the Parliament cannot be re-introduced during the same

session

calendar year

parliamentary year

budget session

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The correct answer is A) session.

According to the rules of parliamentary procedure, a Bill which has been rejected by either House of the Parliament cannot be re-introduced in the same session. This rule is based on the principle that a matter once decided by the House should not be brought up again during the same session (rule against repetition). The Bill can be introduced again in a subsequent session.

A parliamentary session is the period between the first sitting of a House and its prorogation or dissolution. Typically, there are three sessions in a year: Budget Session, Monsoon Session, and Winter Session. Rejection of a Bill means that the House has voted against it at the third reading or has disagreed with amendments proposed by the other House in such a way that a deadlock is reached which cannot be resolved by joint sitting (e.g., Constitution Amendment Bill).

5. Which of the following motions is used to adjourn the House to discuss

Which of the following motions is used to adjourn the House to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance?

Adjournment Motion

Calling Attention Motion

Privilege Motion

No-Confidence Motion

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The correct answer is A) Adjournment Motion.

An Adjournment Motion is a procedural device used in Parliament to draw the attention of the House to a definite matter of urgent public importance, having serious consequences, and to discuss that matter by interrupting the normal business of the House. The motion requires the support of 50 members to be admitted in the Lok Sabha. A Calling Attention Motion is also used for discussing matters of public importance but does not involve suspending the regular business. A Privilege Motion is moved when there is a breach of parliamentary privilege. A No-Confidence Motion is to remove the government.

The Adjournment Motion is an extraordinary procedure as it interrupts the normal business of the House. The subject matter must be definite, factual, urgent, and of public importance. Discussion on an Adjournment Motion is usually for a short duration. This motion is a means to censure the government for its failure to act or for its action in a particular matter.

6. Who can ask for a joint sitting of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sa

Who can ask for a joint sitting of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to resolve a deadlock over a Bill?

The President of India

The Prime Minister of India

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

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The correct answer is A) The President of India.

Article 108 of the Constitution provides for a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament to resolve a deadlock over an ordinary Bill. It states that if a Bill passed by one House is rejected by the other House, or the Houses have finally disagreed as to the amendments to be made in the Bill, or more than six months elapse from the date of the reception of the Bill by the other House without the Bill being passed by it, the President may, unless the Bill has lapsed by reason of a dissolution of the House of the People, notify to the Houses by message if they are sitting or by public notification if they are not sitting, his intention to summon them to meet in a joint sitting for the purpose of deliberating and voting on the Bill.

A joint sitting can be summoned only for ordinary bills and financial bills (not Money Bills as Rajya Sabha has limited powers), but not for Money Bills or Constitution Amendment Bills. The joint sitting is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, or in his absence, the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, or in his absence, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha never presides over a joint sitting.

7. Which motion is moved to express want of confidence in the Council of

Which motion is moved to express want of confidence in the Council of Ministers?

No-Confidence Motion

Confidence Motion

Censure Motion

Adjournment Motion

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The correct answer is A) No-Confidence Motion.

A No-Confidence Motion is a motion moved in the Lok Sabha to express lack of confidence in the Council of Ministers. If the motion is passed by a majority of the members present and voting, the Council of Ministers must resign. This is a crucial mechanism through which the Lok Sabha exercises control over the executive. A Confidence Motion is moved by the government to prove its majority. A Censure Motion expresses strong disapproval but does not necessarily lead to resignation. An Adjournment Motion is for discussing urgent public importance.

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75(3)). The No-Confidence Motion is based on this principle. There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution, but it is provided for in the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha (Rule 198).

8. What is the minimum quorum required for holding a sitting of the Rajya

What is the minimum quorum required for holding a sitting of the Rajya Sabha?

One-third of the total membership

One-half of the total membership

One-fourth of the total membership

One-tenth of the total membership

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The correct answer is D) One-tenth of the total membership.

Article 100(3) of the Constitution of India stipulates that the quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament shall be one-tenth of the total number of members of the House. This means that for a valid sitting of the Rajya Sabha (or Lok Sabha), at least 1/10th of its total members must be present.

The total strength of the Rajya Sabha is currently 245 members. Therefore, the quorum required for a Rajya Sabha sitting is 1/10th of 245, which is 25 members. If there is no quorum, the presiding officer (Chairman or Deputy Chairman) may adjourn the House or suspend the meeting until there is a quorum.

9. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha can resign by addressing his/her resignat

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha can resign by addressing his/her resignation to

the President of India

the Prime Minister of India

the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha

the Chief Justice of India

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The correct answer is C) the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Article 94(b) of the Constitution of India specifies that a member holding office as Speaker of the House of the People (Lok Sabha) may resign from his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Deputy Speaker. Similarly, the Deputy Speaker addresses his resignation to the Speaker.

The Speaker is elected by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members. The office of the Speaker is a highly respected and important constitutional post. The Speaker can be removed from office only by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the House, which can be moved only after giving 14 days’ advance notice.

10. With regard to Goods and Services Tax in the course of inter-State tra

With regard to Goods and Services Tax in the course of inter-State trade or commerce, which one of the following statements is not correct?

It is levied by the Union.

It is levied and collected by the Union.

It is not apportioned between the Union and States.

Goods imported are treated to be supply of goods in the course of inter-State trade.

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The incorrect statement is C) It is not apportioned between the Union and States.

Article 269A of the Constitution deals with Goods and Services tax on supplies in the course of inter-State trade or commerce. It clearly states that GST on inter-state supplies shall be levied and collected by the Government of India, but the tax *shall be apportioned* between the Union and the States in the manner provided by Parliament by law on the recommendations of the Goods and Services Tax Council. Statements A and B are correct as per Article 269A. Statement D is also correct; under the IGST Act, goods imported into India are deemed to be inter-state supplies and are subject to IGST.

The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) is levied on inter-State supplies of goods and services and also on imports and exports. The revenue collected from IGST is shared between the Centre and the States based on the recommendations of the GST Council, as per the formula prescribed by Parliament. This sharing mechanism ensures that the destination state receives a share of the tax.