Indian Parliament questions and answers
Twenty questions across the whole system, each with a short explanation and the official source it comes from. Useful for revision, quizzes and exam preparation.
The questions
Tap a question to see the answer and why. In the timed challenge you pick from four options.
Who is India's head of state?
Answer: The President. The President is head of state; executive power of the Union is vested in the President. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 52 and 53
Who heads the Union Council of Ministers?
Answer: The Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, aids and advises the President. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 74
Who appoints the Prime Minister?
Answer: The President. The President appoints the Prime Minister, normally the leader who commands a majority in the Lok Sabha. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 75(1)
What is the minimum age to be elected President of India?
Answer: 35. A presidential candidate must be at least 35 and qualified to be a Lok Sabha member. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 58
A minister who is not an MP must become one within how long?
Answer: Six months. A minister who is not a member of either House for six consecutive months ceases to be a minister. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 75(5)
Can the Prime Minister be a member of the Rajya Sabha?
Answer: Yes. The Constitution allows the Prime Minister to be a member of either House. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 75
Who administers the oath of office to the President?
Answer: The Chief Justice of India. The Chief Justice of India administers the President's oath. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 60
Who elects the President of India?
Answer: Elected MPs and MLAs. An electoral college of elected MPs and elected MLAs chooses the President. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 54
Who elects the Vice-President?
Answer: Members of both Houses of Parliament. The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college of members of both Houses. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 66
Which Article allows the President to issue ordinances?
Answer: Article 123. The President can make ordinances when Parliament is not in session. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 123
An ordinance lapses unless Parliament approves it within how long of reassembling?
Answer: Six weeks. An ordinance ceases to operate six weeks after Parliament reassembles unless approved. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 123(2)
What does the Tenth Schedule deal with?
Answer: Defection by members. The Tenth Schedule, often called the anti-defection law, deals with disqualifying members who defect. Source: Constitution of India, Tenth Schedule
Which Schedule contains the Union, State and Concurrent Lists?
Answer: Seventh. The Seventh Schedule divides law-making subjects between the Union and the States. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 246 and Seventh Schedule
Police and public order are on which list?
Answer: State List. Public order and police are State subjects. Source: Constitution of India, Seventh Schedule, List II
Which list is education on today?
Answer: Concurrent List. The 42nd Amendment moved education to the Concurrent List. Source: Constitution of India, Seventh Schedule, List III
Who can make laws on 'residuary' subjects that appear on no list?
Answer: Parliament. Residuary powers belong to Parliament. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 248
Which Article establishes the Election Commission?
Answer: Article 324. Article 324 vests the conduct of elections in the Election Commission. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 324
What does a Constitutional Amendment Bill need in each House?
Answer: A special majority. It needs a majority of total membership and two-thirds of those present and voting. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 368(2)
Can a joint sitting be used to pass a Constitutional Amendment Bill?
Answer: No. Each House must pass an amendment separately; joint sittings apply only to ordinary Bills. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 108 and 368
Which Article defines a Money Bill?
Answer: Article 110. Article 110 defines Money Bills; Article 109 sets their special procedure. Source: Constitution of India, Art. 110