Which one of the following statements about the Parliament of India is correct ?
- A.A majority of members of Rajya Sabha are elected by a system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote
- B.The Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha is nominated by the President from among the members of the Rajya Sabha
- C.The Lok Sabha cannot be dissolved before the completion of its five year term
- D.The members of Lok Sabha also vote in the election of the members of Rajya Sabha
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is A. Most members of the Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies through proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
Article 80 sets the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha at 250: up to 238 representatives of the States and Union Territories, and 12 members nominated by the President for their knowledge of literature, science, art and social service. The elected seats, the large majority, are filled by the MLAs of each State voting under the single transferable vote system, as laid down in Article 80(4). Members serve six-year terms, and one-third of them retire every second year, which is why the House is never dissolved.
B is wrong: under Article 89 the Rajya Sabha itself elects its Deputy Chairman from among its members.
C is wrong: the President can dissolve the Lok Sabha earlier on the advice of the Council of Ministers, as has happened several times.
D is wrong: Lok Sabha members have no vote in Rajya Sabha elections; only elected MLAs do.
Exam tip: Rajya Sabha members are elected by MLAs through STV; Deputy Chairman is elected by the House (Article 89).
Practice Questions
View allWith reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc. conferred by the Constitution or delegated by the Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation ?
- A.Committee on Government Assurances
- B.Committee on Subordinate Legislation
- C.Rules Committee
- D.Business Advisory Committee
Show answer
This committee checks whether the rules, regulations and by-laws made by the executive under delegated powers stay within the limits Parliament set.
Read the full explanation →With reference to Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements : 1. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.
2. There is a mandatory provision that the election of a candidate as Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha shall be from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party.
3. The Deputy Speaker has the same power as of the Speaker when presiding over the sitting of the House and no appeal lies against his rulings.
4. The well established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of Deputy Speaker is that the motion is moved by the Speaker and duly seconded by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above are correct ?
- A.1 and 3 only
- B.1, 2 and 3
- C.3 and 4 only
- D.2 and 4 only
Show answer
The Speaker fixes the date of the Deputy Speaker's election, and a presiding Deputy Speaker has the full powers of the Speaker; statements 2 and 4 describe rules that do not exist.
Read the full explanation →With reference to the writs issued by the Courts in India, consider the following statements :
1. Mandamus will not lie against a private organisation unless it is entrusted with a public duty.
2. Mandamus will not lie against a Company even though it may be a Government Company.
3. Any public minded person can be a petitioner to move the Court to obtain the writ of Quo Warranto.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Mandamus reaches anyone who owes a public duty, including government companies, and quo warranto can be sought by any interested person, not only the aggrieved one.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is not a function of the Constitution of India ?
- A.To ensure participation of good people in politics
- B.To guarantee a set of rights to citizens
- C.To define the power of the different organs of government
- D.To create conditions for a just society
Show answer
A constitution can set rules and limits, but it cannot guarantee that good people will enter politics. A constitution is the basic set of rules by which a country is governed.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is not a part of Fundamental Rights ?
- A.Right to education
- B.Right to establish educational institutions by minorities
- C.Right to be conferred with titles
- D.Right against untouchability
Show answer
The Constitution does the opposite: Article 18 abolishes titles, so receiving a title is not a Fundamental Right. Article 18 forbids the State from conferring any title other than a military or academic distinction, and bars citizens from accepting a title from a foreign State.
Read the full explanation →