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Class 11 Political Science Chapter 5 Legislature Solution
Section-A Indian Constitution
Selected Questions & Answers
A. Very Short Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 1)
1. In which House can a Money Bill be introduced?
Ans: In the Lower House (Lok Sabha).
2. Who can give the casting vote in the Lok Sabha?
Ans: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
3. The Parliament of India consists of the President, the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha – Is the statement correct?
Ans: True.
4. What is the minimum age required to become a member of the Rajya Sabha?
Ans: 30 years.
5. Write the name of an Indian state which has a bicameral legislature.
Ans: Bihar.
6. What is the name of the Upper House of the United States of America?
Ans: Senate.
7. Who can summon a joint session of Parliament?
Ans: The President.
8. Who decides whether a bill is a Money Bill or not?
Ans: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
9. What is the minimum age required to become a member of the Lok Sabha?
Ans: 25 years.
10. What is the Lower House of India called?
Ans: Lok Sabha.
11. Which is the Upper House of India?
Ans: Rajya Sabha.
12. What is the term of the Rajya Sabha?
Ans: 6 years.
13. Within how many days must the Rajya Sabha return a Money Bill to the Lok Sabha?
Ans: Within 14 days.
14. Who presides over the joint session of Parliament?
Ans: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
15. Who presents the Budget in the Lok Sabha?
Ans: The Finance Minister.
16. At least how many times must the Parliament meet in a year?
Ans: 4 times.
Note: According to the Constitution of India, there is no fixed number of sessions required per year; however, the gap between two sessions of Parliament cannot exceed six months.
17. Who summons the joint session of Parliament?
Ans: The President.
18. What is the maximum gap allowed between two sessions of the Lok Sabha?
Ans: 6 months.
B. Short Questions and Answers: (Marks for each – 2)
1. Mention two functions of the Rajya Sabha.
Ans: Two functions of the Rajya Sabha are:
(a) To participate in law-making.
(b) To take part in the election of the President and the Vice-President of India.
2. How can the Speaker of the Lok Sabha be removed?
Ans: Although the term of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is five years, there is a provision for removal before the completion of the term. The Lok Sabha can remove the Speaker by passing a resolution with the majority vote of its members. A notice must be given to the Speaker 14 days before moving the resolution for removal. The Speaker cannot preside over the sitting in which the removal motion is discussed. However, the Speaker may remain present and speak in self-defence.
3. In which situations is a joint session of both Houses of Parliament called?
Ans: According to Article 108 of the Constitution of India, a joint session of Parliament is called in the following situations:
(a) If the Rajya Sabha rejects a bill passed by the Lok Sabha, the President may call a joint session of Parliament to resolve the matter.
(b) If one House refuses to accept the amendments made by the other House, a joint session of Parliament may also be held.
4. What qualifications are required to become a member of the Rajya Sabha?
Ans: The following qualifications are required to become a member of the Rajya Sabha:
(a) The candidate must be a citizen of India.
(b) The candidate must be at least 30 years of age.
(c) The candidate must not hold any office of profit under the central, state, or local authorities.
(d) The person must not be insolvent, of unsound mind, or a convicted criminal.
5. Mention two powers of Parliament.
Ans: Two powers of Parliament are:
(a) Parliament can make laws for the entire country.
(b) Parliament can control the finances of the nation.
6. How is the Rajya Sabha constituted?
Ans: According to Article 80 (1) of the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha is constituted with a maximum of 250 members. Out of these, 238 members are elected by the Legislative Assemblies of the states and the Union Territories, and the remaining 12 members are nominated by the President from among persons who have distinguished themselves in the fields of literature, art, science, and social service.
7. How is the Lok Sabha constituted?
Ans: According to Article 81 of the Constitution, the total strength of theLok Sabha is 547 members. Out of these, 525 members are elected from the states, 20 members from the Union Territories through direct election, and 2members are nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian community.
Note: After the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act (2020), the provision for nomination of two Anglo-Indian members to the Lok Sabha by the President was abolished.
8. What is the difference between a Bill and an Act?
Ans: A Bill is the preliminary stage of a law. A proposal introduced in Parliament for making a law is called a Bill. When a Bill is passed by both Houses of Parliament and receives the assent of the President, it becomes an Act.
9. Mention four features of the Parliament of India.
Ans: Four features of the Parliament of India are:
(a) It is bicameral in nature.
(b) The Upper House is permanent.
(c) The Lower House may be dissolved by the President before the completion of its fixed term.
(d) Parliament is the supreme law-making body of India.
10. What qualifications are required to become a member of the Legislative Assembly?
Ans: The following qualifications are required to become a member of the State Legislative Assembly:
(a) The person must be a citizen of India.
(b) The person must not be less than 25 years of age.
(c) The person must not hold any office of profit.
(d) The person must possess other qualifications prescribed by Parliament.
11. What are the minimum and maximum numbers of members in a State Legislative Assembly?
Ans: The maximum number of members in a State Legislative Assembly is 500, and the minimum number is 60.
C. Medium Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 4)
1. “The Parliament of India is not a sovereign body” – Give reasons.
Ans: The Parliament of India cannot be called a sovereign body for the following reasons:
(a) The Supreme Court of India can declare any law made by Parliament unconstitutional and can invalidate it.
(b) Parliament cannot make any law that is contrary to the Constitution.
(c) The Constitution cannot be amended by Parliament alone in all cases.
(d) Parliament cannot make any law that violates the Fundamental Rights of the citizens.
2. Mention four functions of Parliament.
Ans: The Parliament of India is bicameral, consisting of the Upper House(Rajya Sabha) and the Lower House (Lok Sabha). Its four functions are:
(a) Parliament makes laws for the entire country.
(b) Parliament can remove the judges of the High Courts and the Supreme Court.
(c) Parliament controls the Council of Ministers; that is, the Council of Ministers is responsible to Parliament.
(d) The elected members of Parliament take part in the election of the President and the Vice-President.
3. Mention the differences between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Ans: The Indian Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha is the Lower House, and the Rajya Sabha is the Upper House. There are several differences between them, such as:
(a) The Lok Sabha is the principal House of Parliament, whereas the Rajya Sabha is the second chamber.
(b) Members of the Lok Sabha are directly elected, whereas members of the Rajya Sabha are indirectly elected.
(c) The Lok Sabha is a temporary House. Its term is five years, but the President may dissolve it earlier under certain circumstances. On the other hand, the Rajya Sabha is a permanent House, and its term is six years.
Note: The Rajya Sabha as a body is permanent, but individual members serve a term of six years, and one-third of the members retire every two years.
(d) The Lok Sabha represents the people, whereas the Rajya Sabha represents the states.
(e) Comparatively, the Lok Sabha is more powerful than the Rajya Sabha because the Council of Ministers is formed from the majority party in the Lok Sabha and is responsible to the Lok Sabha, not to the Rajya Sabha.
D. Essay Type Questions and Answers: (Marks for each – 6)
1. Discuss the functions and powers of the Lok Sabha.
Ans: The Parliament of India is bicameral. Its Lower House is called theLok Sabha. At present, the strength of the Lok Sabha was earlier stated as 547seats. The members of the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the voters of different states on the basis of population. For the convenience of elections, the states are divided into several constituencies, and from each constituency, one member is elected to the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha represents the people. To conduct the proceedings of the Lok Sabha, there are a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker.
The powers and functions of the Lok Sabha are briefly discussed below:
(1) Legislative Power: The main function of the Lok Sabha is law-making. It can make laws on the subjects included in the Union List. It can also legislate on Concurrent List subjects. For any bill to become a law, the approval of theLok Sabha is essential.
(2) Executive Power: According to the Constitution, the Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha has full freedom to criticize the policies of the government. It can pass a vote of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers and force it to resign.
(3) Financial Power: Another important power of the Lok Sabha is that it controls the finances of the country. Without the approval of the Lok Sabha, the government cannot collect or spend money. The budget is presented and passed in the Lok Sabha.
(4) Electoral Power: The members of the Lok Sabha take part in the election of the President and the Vice-President.
(5) Power of Constitutional Amendment: The Lok Sabha, together with the Rajya Sabha, can amend the Constitution. Although both Houses are powerful in constitutional amendment, the Lok Sabha has greater influence in a joint sitting of Parliament.
(6) Judicial Power: The Lok Sabha can initiate impeachment proceedings against the President for violation of the Constitution. By a majority vote in both Houses, the President, Vice-President, and judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts can be removed.
(7) Other Powers: A proclamation of emergency issued by the President must be approved by the Lok Sabha. The consent of the Lok Sabha is necessary for the creation of new states or alteration of the boundaries of states. In conclusion, the functions and powers of the Lok Sabha are extensive. It reflects the hopes and aspirations of the people. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the governance of India is largely conducted through the Lok Sabha.
2. Discuss the powers and functions of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Ans: After the formation of the Lok Sabha, the members elect one among themselves as the Speaker. Usually, the Speaker is elected from the majority party. The members also elect a Deputy Speaker from among themselves. In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker conducts the proceedings of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha enjoys many powers. His powers and functions are briefly mentioned below:
(1) The main duty of the Speaker is to preside over the sessions of the Lok Sabha and maintain order and discipline in the House.
(2) The Speaker protects the rights and privileges of the members of theLok Sabha. If the rights of any member are violated, the Speaker takes appropriate action.
(3) If there is a dispute regarding whether a bill is a Money Bill or not, the Speaker gives the final decision.
(4) If any person shows contempt to the House, the Speaker may take appropriate action and impose punishment.
(5) The Speaker also presides over the joint sessions of Parliament.
(6) If there is a tie in voting in the Lok Sabha, the Speaker may exercise the casting vote.
(7) The Speaker appoints the chairpersons of various committees of theLok Sabha.
3. Discuss the law-making procedure of Parliament.
Ans: Articles 107–112 of the Constitution of India discuss the legislative procedure of Parliament. For an ordinary bill to become a law, it must pass through the following stages:
(1) An ordinary bill may be introduced in either House of Parliament. A minister or a member introduces the bill and explains its objectives.
(2) In the second stage, there is a general discussion on the bill and voting takes place. Sometimes the bill is referred to a select committee which examines all aspects of the bill in detail.
(3) In the third stage, each clause of the bill is carefully examined, and necessary amendments are proposed.
(4) In the fourth stage, voting takes place in the House and the bill is either passed or rejected.
(5) In the fifth stage, if one House passes the bill, it is sent to the other House.
(6) In the sixth stage, when the bill is passed by both Houses, it is sent to the President for assent. After the President signs it, the bill becomes a law.
