StudyOSStudyOS CBSE Study Material, Class 5–12

Legislature

NCERT Class 11 · Political Science Based on NCERT Class 11 Political Science textbook · Free CBSE study kit

Everything you need to ace this chapter, in one place.
Notes · Mind Map · Quiz · Assertion-Reason · Case Studies · Question Bank · Past Papers

Get Full Study Kit →
Studying with friends? Send them this chapter.

Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter explains the role, composition, and functioning of the Parliament of India and State legislatures in a democratic system. It covers why a legislature is essential beyond lawmaking, the rationale for a bicameral system, the specific powers of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the detailed law-making procedure, and the mechanisms through which Parliament controls the executive. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that the legislature is the most representative organ of government, serving as the central forum for debate, accountability, and democratic control over the executive.
Key Concepts (28)
Legislature
The law-making body of a government, elected by the people to work on their behalf, responsible for enacting laws, controlling the executive, and representing the people.
e.g. The Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) is the national legislature that passes laws like the Right to Education Act.
Bicameral Legislature
A legislature with two houses, such as the Indian Parliament which has the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
e.g. India has a bicameral legislature at the national level, while only six states (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh) have bicameral state legislatures.
Unicameral Legislature
A legislature with only one house. The Constitution gives states the option to have either a unicameral or bicameral legislature.
e.g. Most Indian states, like Kerala or Tamil Nadu, have a unicameral legislature (only a Legislative Assembly).
Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
The upper house of the Indian Parliament, representing the states. It is an indirectly elected body, with members elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies. It is a permanent house, never fully dissolved, with one-third of its members retiring every two years. Members serve a six-year term.
e.g. Uttar Pradesh sends 31 members to the Rajya Sabha, while Sikkim sends 1 member, based on population.
Lok Sabha (House of the People)
The lower house of the Indian Parliament, directly elected by the people through universal adult suffrage from territorial constituencies of roughly equal population. It has a maximum term of five years and can be dissolved earlier.
e.g. At present, there are 543 constituencies for the Lok Sabha, and elections are held every five years unless dissolved earlier.
Fourth Schedule
The schedule of the Indian Constitution that fixes the number of seats in the Rajya Sabha to be elected from each state.
e.g. The Fourth Schedule determines that Uttar Pradesh has 31 Rajya Sabha seats while Sikkim has 1.
Nominated Members (Rajya Sabha)
Twelve members nominated by the President to the Rajya Sabha from among persons who have distinguished themselves in literature, science, art, and social service.
e.g. A renowned scientist or artist may be nominated to the Rajya Sabha for their contributions.
Bill
A draft of a proposed law presented to the legislature for consideration. It becomes an Act (law) only after being passed by both houses and receiving the President's assent.
e.g. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill was introduced, debated, and passed before becoming law.
Government Bill
A bill proposed by a minister in the legislature.
e.g. The Finance Bill, introduced by the Finance Minister, is a Government Bill.
Private Member's Bill
A bill proposed by a member of the legislature who is not a minister.
e.g. A backbench MP introducing a bill on a social issue is a Private Member's Bill, which rarely passes without government support.
Money Bill
A bill that deals with matters of taxation, government expenditure, borrowing, or the Consolidated Fund of India. It can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend it, only suggest changes within 14 days.
e.g. The annual Union Budget is presented as a Money Bill.
Ordinary Bill
A bill that is not a Money Bill or a Constitution Amendment Bill. It can be introduced in either house and requires passage by both houses.
e.g. A bill to amend the education policy is an Ordinary Bill.
Constitution Amendment Bill
A bill that seeks to amend the Constitution. It requires a special majority (two-thirds of members present and voting, plus an absolute majority) in both houses.
e.g. The 52nd Amendment (Anti-Defection Law) was a Constitution Amendment Bill.
Question Hour
The first hour of a parliamentary sitting where members ask questions to ministers, who are obliged to respond. It is the most effective method of keeping vigil on the executive.
e.g. An MP asks the Finance Minister about the rise in fertilizer prices during Question Hour.
Zero Hour
The time immediately after Question Hour in Parliament, where members are free to raise any matter of public importance without prior notice. Ministers are not bound to reply.
e.g. An MP raises the issue of a natural disaster in their constituency during Zero Hour.
No Confidence Motion
A motion moved in the Lok Sabha to express lack of confidence in the Council of Ministers. If passed, the government must resign. It is the most powerful weapon to ensure executive accountability.
e.g. In 1999, the Vajpayee government lost a no-confidence motion by one vote, leading to its resignation.
Adjournment Motion
A motion to interrupt the normal business of the House to discuss a matter of urgent public importance. It requires the Speaker's permission.
e.g. An adjournment motion was moved to discuss a major railway accident.
Parliamentary Privilege
Special rights and immunities enjoyed by members of Parliament to enable them to speak and work fearlessly. No action can be taken against a member for anything said in the legislature.
e.g. An MP cannot be sued for defamation for a speech made in Parliament, even if it is critical of the government.
Parliamentary Committee
A committee of members of Parliament appointed for specific legislative or investigative purposes. They allow for in-depth study of bills, budgets, and departmental work, reducing the burden on the full House.
e.g. The Standing Committee on Finance examines the budget demands of the Finance Ministry.
Standing Committee
A permanent parliamentary committee that supervises the work of various departments, their budget, expenditure, and related bills. India has over twenty such departmentally related standing committees since 1983.
e.g. The Standing Committee on Home Affairs examines bills related to internal security.
Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)
A temporary committee set up for a specific purpose, such as discussing a particular bill or investigating financial irregularities. Members are selected from both houses.
e.g. The JPC on the 2G spectrum scam investigated the allocation of telecom licenses.
Anti-Defection Law
A law introduced by the 52nd Amendment (1985) and modified by the 91st Amendment, which disqualifies a member of Parliament or state legislature from membership if they voluntarily leave their party, vote against party instructions, or remain absent when asked to be present. The presiding officer decides on defection cases.
e.g. If an MP elected on a BJP ticket joins the Congress, they lose their seat under the Anti-Defection Law.
Defection
The act of a legislator leaving the party on whose ticket they were elected, or voting against the party's instructions. It leads to disqualification from the House and from holding any political office.
e.g. A legislator who votes against their party's whip on a key bill is deemed to have defected.
Joint Session of Parliament
A session where both houses of Parliament meet together to resolve a deadlock on a non-money bill. The decision is taken by a simple majority. In practice, the Lok Sabha's view has always prevailed.
e.g. A joint session was called to pass the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) in 2002 after the Rajya Sabha rejected it.
Budget
An annual financial statement presented by the government to the legislature, detailing proposed taxation and expenditure. The legislature's approval is required for the government to raise and spend money.
e.g. The Union Budget is presented in February and must be passed by the Lok Sabha.
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
The constitutional authority that audits government expenditure and reports to the legislature. The Public Accounts Committee examines the CAG's reports to check for misuse of funds.
e.g. The CAG's report on the coal block allocation led to a JPC investigation.
Public Accounts Committee
A parliamentary committee that examines the CAG's reports on government expenditure to ensure financial propriety and accountability.
e.g. The Public Accounts Committee reviews the CAG report on defense spending.
Presiding Officer
The Speaker (in Lok Sabha) or Chairman (in Rajya Sabha) who regulates the business of the House, maintains order, and has final authority on matters of procedure, breach of privilege, and anti-defection cases.
e.g. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides whether a bill is a Money Bill.
How It Works
Law Making Process (Passing a Bill)
  1. Step 1: A bill is drafted by the concerned ministry after Cabinet approval of the policy behind the legislation.
  2. Step 2: The bill is introduced in either house (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha) by a minister or a private member. Money bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha.
  3. Step 3: The bill is referred to a parliamentary committee for detailed study and discussion. The committee gives its report, which the House may or may not accept.
  4. Step 4: The bill is discussed clause by clause in the House, and each clause is voted upon.
  5. Step 5: The bill is passed in the house where it was introduced.
  6. Step 6: The bill is sent to the other house, where it goes through the same procedure (introduction, committee, discussion, voting).
  7. Step 7: If the other house approves the bill, it is sent to the President for assent. If there is disagreement, a joint session of Parliament may be called to resolve the deadlock.
  8. Step 8: The President gives assent, and the bill becomes a law (Act). The President can send a non-money bill back for reconsideration, but if passed again, assent is mandatory.
💡 A money bill cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha can only suggest amendments to a money bill within 14 days; it cannot reject it. If no action is taken in 14 days, the bill is deemed passed.
Election of Rajya Sabha Members
  1. Step 1: Residents of a state elect members to the State Legislative Assembly.
  2. Step 2: The elected members of the State Legislative Assembly elect the members of the Rajya Sabha from that state.
  3. Step 3: The number of seats per state is fixed by the Fourth Schedule, based on population (larger states get more seats).
  4. Step 4: Members are elected for a six-year term, with one-third of members retiring every two years, making the Rajya Sabha a permanent house.
💡 Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected, not directly by the people. The President also nominates 12 members for their expertise in literature, science, art, and social service.
Parliamentary Control Over the Executive
  1. Step 1: Deliberation and Discussion: Members use Question Hour, Zero Hour, adjournment motions, and general debates to question and criticize the government.
  2. Step 2: Approval or Refusal of Laws: The government must get bills passed by the Parliament, which can reject or amend them, forcing the executive to negotiate.
  3. Step 3: Financial Control: The government must present the budget for approval. The Lok Sabha can discuss, grant, or refuse resources, and examine the CAG and Public Accounts Committee reports for misuse of funds.
  4. Step 4: No Confidence Motion: The Lok Sabha can move and pass a no-confidence motion, forcing the government to resign if it loses majority support.
💡 The Rajya Sabha cannot remove the government (no confidence motion is only in Lok Sabha), but it can criticize and delay non-money bills. The Lok Sabha controls the purse strings.
Anti-Defection Procedure
  1. Step 1: A member is elected on a party ticket.
  2. Step 2: If the member voluntarily leaves the party, votes against party instructions, or remains absent when asked to be present by the party leadership, it is deemed defection.
  3. Step 3: The presiding officer (Speaker/Chairman) of the House decides on the defection case.
  4. Step 4: If defection is proved, the member loses membership of the House and is disqualified from holding any political office (like ministership).
💡 The anti-defection law (52nd Amendment, 1985, modified by 91st Amendment) has not fully curbed defections but has given additional powers to party leaders and presiding officers.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing Rajya Sabha with Lok Sabha on Money Bills
✗ Students often write that the Rajya Sabha can reject a money bill or that it must pass it within 14 days.
→ The Rajya Sabha cannot reject a money bill; it can only suggest amendments. If it takes no action within 14 days, the bill is deemed passed. The Lok Sabha may or may not accept the suggested amendments.
✓ A money bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can suggest amendments within 14 days, but it cannot reject the bill. If no action is taken, the bill is deemed passed.
⚠ Thinking the Rajya Sabha is Directly Elected
✗ Students often write that Rajya Sabha members are directly elected by the people of the state.
→ Rajya Sabha members are indirectly elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies, not directly by the people.
✓ Rajya Sabha is an indirectly elected body. The elected members of the State Legislative Assembly elect the Rajya Sabha members from that state.
⚠ Confusing 'Defection' with 'Changing Party' Only
✗ Students define defection only as 'leaving one party to join another'.
→ Defection also includes voting against party instructions or remaining absent when asked by the party leadership to be present, even if the member does not formally leave the party.
✓ Defection includes voluntarily leaving the party, voting against party instructions, or remaining absent in the House when asked by the party leadership to be present.
⚠ Assuming the President Can Veto Any Bill
✗ Students write that the President can reject any bill and it will not become law.
→ For non-money bills, the President can send the bill back for reconsideration, but if both houses pass it again, the President must give assent. For money bills, the President cannot return it for reconsideration.
✓ The President can send a non-money bill back for reconsideration, but if passed again by both houses, assent is mandatory. The President cannot return a money bill.
⚠ Thinking the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Have Equal Powers in All Matters
✗ Students write that both houses have equal powers in all matters.
→ The Lok Sabha has exclusive powers over money bills, control of the executive (no-confidence motion), and approval of emergency proclamations. The Rajya Sabha has special powers regarding the State List (approval to move matters from State List to Union/Concurrent List).
✓ The Lok Sabha has exclusive control over money bills and the power to remove the government via no-confidence motion. The Rajya Sabha has special powers to protect state interests, such as approving the transfer of subjects from the State List.
Compare & Contrast
Method of Election
Lok Sabha
Rajya Sabha
Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the people through universal adult suffrage. Rajya Sabha members are indirectly elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies.
Powers over Money Bills
Lok Sabha
Rajya Sabha
Lok Sabha has exclusive power to introduce and pass money bills. Rajya Sabha can only suggest amendments within 14 days and cannot reject a money bill.
Control over Executive
Lok Sabha
Rajya Sabha
Lok Sabha can remove the government through a no-confidence motion. Rajya Sabha can criticize the government but cannot remove it.
Proposer
Government Bill
Private Member's Bill
A Government Bill is proposed by a minister, while a Private Member's Bill is proposed by a non-minister member of the legislature.
Introduction and Passage
Money Bill
Ordinary Bill
A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha cannot reject it (only suggest amendments within 14 days). An Ordinary Bill can be introduced in either house and must be passed by both houses.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 SA (3 marks), 1 LA (5 marks) — total 10 marks typically in the annual exam.
Most asked: Functions of Parliament (legislative, financial, control over executive, representation, debating, constituent, electoral, judicial) · Powers of Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha (especially money bills and no-confidence motion) · Law-making procedure (stages of a bill, types of bills) · Anti-Defection Law (52nd Amendment, definition of defection, consequences) · Parliamentary control over the executive (Question Hour, Zero Hour, no-confidence motion, budget) · Bicameral legislature (meaning, advantages, states with bicameral legislature)
Don't skip: Compare the powers of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (5 marks); Explain the law-making process in the Indian Parliament (5 marks); How does the Parliament control the executive? Discuss any three instruments (5 marks); What is the Anti-Defection Law? Explain its provisions and impact (3 or 5 marks)
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. The Parliament of India is bicameral, consisting of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
  2. The Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people for a maximum term of five years, while the Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected and is a permanent house.
  3. The Rajya Sabha has 12 nominated members from literature, science, art, and social service.
  4. A money bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha cannot reject it.
  5. The Lok Sabha controls the executive through no-confidence motions, while the Rajya Sabha can only criticize but not remove the government.
  6. The law-making process involves introduction, committee review, clause-by-clause discussion, voting in both houses, and presidential assent.
  7. A bill becomes a law only after being passed by both houses and receiving the President's assent.
  8. The Anti-Defection Law (52nd Amendment, 1985) disqualifies members who voluntarily leave their party or vote against party instructions.
  9. Question Hour is the most effective method for MPs to hold the executive accountable by asking questions to ministers.
  10. Parliamentary committees, including standing committees and JPCs, allow for in-depth study of bills and budgets.
  11. The budget is the government's annual financial statement, and the Lok Sabha controls the purse strings by granting or refusing resources.
  12. The Rajya Sabha has special powers to protect state interests, such as approving the transfer of subjects from the State List.
  13. A joint session of Parliament can be called to resolve a deadlock on a non-money bill, and the Lok Sabha's view has always prevailed.
  14. Defection includes leaving the party, voting against party instructions, or remaining absent when asked by the party leadership.
  15. The presiding officer (Speaker/Chairman) has final authority on matters of procedure, breach of privilege, and anti-defection cases.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. Which of the following correctly defines a bicameral legislature?

  • A. A legislature with two separate chambers or houses. ✓
  • B. A legislature controlled by two political parties.
  • C. A legislature where two members hold executive power.
  • D. A legislature that meets twice per year.

Answer: A — Bicameral literally means 'two chambers'—a legislature having two separate houses, as in India with Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Q2. How are members of the Rajya Sabha elected in India?

  • A. Directly by the citizens of each state.
  • B. Indirectly by members of State Legislative Assemblies. ✓
  • C. Appointed by the President of India.
  • D. Elected by members of the Lok Sabha.

Answer: B — Rajya Sabha members are indirectly elected—State Legislative Assembly members vote to elect Rajya Sabha representatives, not the general public.

Q3. What is the tenure of a Rajya Sabha member?

  • A. 4 years with no re-election possible.
  • B. 5 years with 1/3 retiring every year.
  • C. 6 years with 1/3 retiring every two years. ✓
  • D. 3 years with 1/2 retiring annually.

Answer: C — Rajya Sabha members serve 6-year terms; one-third members complete their term and retire every 2 years, ensuring continuity.

Q4. According to the Indian Constitution, Rajya Sabha representation is based on which principle?

  • A. Equal representation for all states (symmetrical).
  • B. Representation based on state population (asymmetrical). ✓
  • C. Representation based on state's per capita income.
  • D. Representation based on alphabetical order of states.

Answer: B — India follows asymmetrical representation—states with larger populations like UP have 31 Rajya Sabha seats while smaller states like Sikkim have 1 seat.

Q5. Which is NOT an advantage of a bicameral legislature?

  • A. Every bill is reconsidered by the second house.
  • B. Prevents hasty decisions through double review.
  • C. Faster passage of bills due to two parallel chambers. ✓
  • D. Better representation of diverse regions and interests.

Answer: C — A bicameral legislature actually slows bill passage because every bill must be approved by both houses; it ensures quality over speed.

Q6. In the 1998 urea price case, how did Parliament demonstrate its control over the executive?

  • A. Parliament passed a law banning fertilizer price increases.
  • B. Parliament forced the Finance Minister to rollback the price hike through opposition pressure. ✓
  • C. Parliament dissolved the cabinet immediately.
  • D. Parliament reduced the Finance Minister's salary.

Answer: B — Opposition walkout and acrimonious debate in Lok Sabha forced Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha to rollback the urea price hike—showing Parliament's accountability power.

Q7. Which statement about Parliament is correct according to the chapter?

  • A. Parliament is only a law-making body with no other functions.
  • B. Parliament is the centre of democratic political process and ensures government accountability. ✓
  • C. Parliament is less important than the executive in modern democracies.
  • D. Parliament has declined and the Finance Minister can make all decisions independently.

Answer: B — The chapter emphasizes Parliament is not merely for law-making—it is the hub of democratic accountability and action, packed with protests, debates, and control over the executive.

Q8. Consider: A strong Finance Minister proposes a major budget policy. According to the chapter, what must happen for democracy to remain effective?

  • A. The policy must be implemented immediately without debate.
  • B. The strong leader must face Parliament and answer to Parliament's satisfaction. ✓
  • C. Only the executive should decide; Parliament should not interfere.
  • D. The policy becomes law only if the President approves it.

Answer: B — The chapter states even very strong leaders must retain majority in legislature and must face Parliament and answer to its satisfaction—this is democracy's safeguard.

Q9. How many Indian states currently have a bicameral legislature?

  • A. 4 states.
  • B. 6 states. ✓
  • C. 8 states.
  • D. 10 states.

Answer: B — Exactly six states have bicameral legislatures: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Q10. Which system of representation would make Sikkim equal to Uttar Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha?

  • A. India's current population-based asymmetrical system.
  • B. The American system of equal state representation in the Senate. ✓
  • C. Direct election by all citizens.
  • D. Appointment by the President based on merit.

Answer: B — The USA Senate gives equal representation to every state regardless of size/population; India rejected this to prevent small states like Sikkim having equal power to larger states like UP.

Flashcards

What is a bicameral legislature?

A national or state legislature with two separate houses or chambers.

Name the two houses of Indian Parliament.

Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States).

How are Rajya Sabha members elected?

Indirectly by members of State Legislative Assemblies, not directly by the people.

What is the term length of Rajya Sabha members?

Six years, with one-third members retiring every two years.

What principle does Indian Rajya Sabha representation follow?

Representation based on population: larger states get more seats than smaller states.

How many states in India have a bicameral legislature?

Six states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.

What is the main advantage of having two houses in Parliament?

Every bill is discussed twice, allowing reconsideration and preventing hasty decisions.

Why is Parliament called the most representative organ of government?

Because it is composed of elected representatives chosen by the people through elections.

What power does Parliament have over the executive?

Parliament can choose, dismiss, and hold the government accountable; cabinet must retain majority support.

What is the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical representation?

Symmetrical gives equal seats to all states; asymmetrical gives seats based on population, as in India's Rajya Sabha.

Important Board Questions

Define a bicameral legislature and give one example from India. [2 marks]

Define as 'legislature with two separate houses'; name one state—either Parliament of India (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha) or any of the six states listed (Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana).

Explain why India adopted population-based representation in the Rajya Sabha instead of equal representation like in the USA Senate. Give one example to support your answer. [5 marks]

Key argument: India wanted to prevent unfair dominance by small states; use example of UP (31 seats) vs Sikkim (1 seat) to show how population-based system reflects true representation; mention Constitution's Schedule 4 fixes member allocation.

How does the bicameral system of Parliament ensure democratic accountability of the executive? Discuss with reference to the urea price case of 1998 and 2002. [6 marks]

Argument structure: (1) Explain bicameralism's double-check function—bills reviewed twice, preventing hasty decisions; (2) Define Parliament's power to hold executive accountable; (3) Analyze 1998 case (Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha's rollback after opposition walkout) and 2002 case (Finance Minister Jaswant Singh forced to rollback after intense opposition)—show how opposition, protests, and walkouts in Lok Sabha demonstrate Parliament can force government policy reversal; (4) Conclude: even strong executives must retain legislative majority.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Legislature

Q1. Assertion (A):

The Rajya Sabha uses proportional representation based on state population rather than equal representation for all states.

Reason (R):

The framers of the Indian Constitution wanted to prevent the discrepancy that would occur if small states like Sikkim had the same representation as large states like Uttar Pradesh.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason directly explains why the proportional system was chosen. The text explicitly states this design choice was deliberate to avoid the American system's consequences.

Q2. Assertion (A):

A bicameral legislature ensures that every bill and policy is discussed twice before becoming law.

Reason (R):

Two houses of parliament function independently without any interaction on legislative matters.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true—the text states decisions go from one house to another for reconsideration. However, the reason is false because the two houses DO interact on bills; they review and discuss each other's work, which is the whole point of bicameralism.

Q3. Assertion (A):

The legislature has declined in importance as the Cabinet now initiates policies and sets the governance agenda in India.

Reason (R):

Even strong cabinets must retain majority in the legislature, and a strong leader must face Parliament and answer to its satisfaction, demonstrating Parliament's democratic potential.

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true. The assertion correctly reflects what the text states about perceived decline. The reason correctly describes Parliament's continuing power. However, the reason does NOT explain why the legislature has declined—it actually contradicts the idea of decline by showing Parliament's strength. The two statements are true but logically disconnected.

Unlock more Assertion-Reason questions in Premium — unlock →

Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Legislature

Case Study:

In June 1998, when Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha proposed a hike of 50 paisa per kilogram of urea to reduce subsidy, the Lok Sabha witnessed fierce opposition. The entire opposition staged a walkout, and the issue dominated parliamentary debates for two days. The Finance Minister, facing intense parliamentary pressure and widespread public concern about agricultural costs, had to roll back the hike. Similarly, in March 2002, when Finance Minister Jaswant Singh announced a Rs. 12 increase in the price of 50 kg urea bags (about 5% rise), opposition members again mobilized within Parliament. Under mounting pressure from parliamentary members representing agricultural constituencies, the government reversed the decision within days. These incidents show how elected representatives use parliamentary forums to protect constituent interests.

Q1. What mechanism did opposition members use in both 1998 and 2002 to force the government to reconsider its fertilizer price decisions?

  • A. They approached the Supreme Court for judicial intervention
  • B. They mobilized parliamentary debate, staged walkouts, and created public pressure within Parliament ✓
  • C. They formed a coalition government to overthrow the ruling party
  • D. They requested the President to dissolve Parliament

Answer: B

Q2. According to the passage, what interests were the elected representatives protecting when they opposed the fertilizer price hikes?

  • A. Industrial manufacturing interests
  • B. Urban consumer interests in cities
  • C. Agricultural constituencies and farmer interests ✓
  • D. Foreign trade interests

Answer: C

Q3. Which democratic principle is best illustrated by the government reversing its policies within days of parliamentary pressure?

  • A. Executive supremacy over the legislature
  • B. Legislative accountability and control over executive decisions ✓
  • C. The irrelevance of public opinion in policy-making
  • D. The need for faster decision-making without debate

Answer: B

Q4. Why were these fertilizer price incidents considered significant for parliamentary functioning?

  • A. They demonstrated Parliament's ineffectiveness in influencing government
  • B. They demonstrated that parliamentary debates have no impact on policy
  • C. They proved that parliaments should not discuss economic policies
  • D. They showed Parliament acting as a forum where representatives hold the executive accountable to constituent interests ✓

Answer: D

Unlock more case studies in Premium — unlock →

Next chapterJudiciary →
Found this useful? Share it with your class group.

You've seen the free preview. Open the full interactive study kit — mind map, instant-graded quiz, progress tracking — free, no sign-in required.

Open Full Study Kit — Free →

Premium unlocks the full Question Bank, Daily Practice Papers, Chapter Quiz and Full Mock Papers for every chapter.