Parliament and the Making of Laws – Short Answer Type Questions
Class 8
Social and Political Life — Chapter 3: Parliament and the Making of Laws
50 Short Answer Questions & Answers • NCERT-aligned • Ideal for CBSE revision
CBSE Board Examinations
Systematic Coverage:
- Structure and functions of Parliament
- Steps and procedures for making laws
- Types of bills, committees, and special offices
Content Bank — Key Topics
- Structure: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, President
- Functions: law-making, representation, scrutiny, finance
- Process of a bill becoming a law
- Types of bills and special procedures (money bills, joint sittings)
- Parliamentary committees, Speaker, Chairman, President’s role
Short Answer Questions (Topic-wise)
1. What is the composition of the Indian Parliament?
The Indian Parliament comprises the Lok Sabha (House of the People), the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the President of India.
2. Explain the role of Lok Sabha in brief.
Lok Sabha is the directly elected lower house that represents the people. It controls finance, passes budgets, and its support is necessary for the central government to remain in office.
3. Explain the role of Rajya Sabha in brief.
Rajya Sabha represents the states, provides experienced review and revision of laws, and acts as a permanent chamber since it cannot be dissolved as a whole.
4. Describe the President’s formal role in Parliament.
The President is the constitutional head who summons Parliament sessions and gives assent to bills passed by both houses, enabling them to become law.
5. How are members of Lok Sabha elected?
Members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people from single-member constituencies through general elections using the first-past-the-post system.
6. How are members of Rajya Sabha chosen?
Most Rajya Sabha members are elected by the elected members of state legislative assemblies through a single transferable vote; some members are nominated by the President for expertise.
7. What is the tenure of Lok Sabha members?
Lok Sabha members typically serve for five years unless the house is dissolved earlier; general elections are then held to form a new Lok Sabha.
8. What is the tenure and retirement pattern in Rajya Sabha?
Rajya Sabha is a permanent body with members serving staggered six-year terms; one-third of its members retire every two years.
9. Who presides over Lok Sabha sessions?
The Speaker presides over Lok Sabha sessions, maintains decorum, and decides who may speak during debates.
10. Who presides over Rajya Sabha?
The Vice-President of India serves as the ex‑officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and presides over its proceedings.
11. What is meant by ‘quorum’ in Parliament?
Quorum refers to the minimum number of members that must be present to conduct business, which is one‑tenth of the total membership of the House.
12. How many sessions of Parliament are usually held each year?
Typically, Parliament meets in three sessions each year: the Budget session, the Monsoon session, and the Winter session.
13. List the main functions of Parliament.
Parliament’s main functions include law‑making, representing people’s interests, controlling public finances, scrutinising the government, and debating national issues.
14. How does Parliament check the government’s work?
Through mechanisms such as question hour, zero hour, debates, motions of no confidence, and standing committees that examine policies and expenditures.
15. What is the significance of the budget in Parliament?
The budget outlines government revenue and expenditure; Parliament examines and approves it, giving the government the authority to raise and allocate funds.
16. Define representation in the context of Parliament.
Representation means elected members bring the concerns and interests of their constituents to national debates and decision-making in Parliament.
17. Explain the scrutiny function of Parliament.
Scrutiny involves examining the actions and policies of the government through questions, debates and committee reports to ensure accountability and transparency.
18. Why is deliberation important in Parliament?
Deliberation allows diverse viewpoints to be discussed, helps refine policies, and ensures laws are examined from multiple perspectives before passage.
19. How does Parliament safeguard citizens’ rights?
By passing laws that protect rights, debating public concerns, and enabling judicial and administrative remedies through legislation and oversight.
20. Give an example of a parliamentary instrument that holds the executive accountable.
Question Hour, where ministers must answer questions on government policy and actions, is a direct accountability mechanism.
21. What is a bill and how is it related to a law?
A bill is a draft proposal for a new law or amendment; once it is passed by both Houses and receives the President’s assent, it becomes a law.
22. Who can introduce a bill in Parliament?
A minister can introduce a government bill, and any other member (private member) can introduce a private member’s bill; money bills must be introduced in Lok Sabha by a minister.
23. What are the main stages of a bill in Parliament?
Introduction and first reading, committee examination, second reading (clause-by-clause), voting, consideration by the other house, and presidential assent are main stages.
24. Why are bills referred to committees?
Committees examine details, consult experts, gather evidence, and recommend amendments to improve the bill’s quality and effectiveness.
25. What is meant by clause-by-clause consideration?
It means discussing each clause or provision of the bill in detail, proposing and voting on amendments to refine the law’s text.
26. Explain the voting process on a bill.
After debate, members vote; an ordinary bill requires a simple majority of members present and voting to pass in the house where it is tabled.
27. What happens if the second house suggests amendments?
The originating house may accept or reject suggested amendments; if disagreement persists, the President may call a joint sitting to resolve differences.
28. Under what conditions is a joint sitting called?
A joint sitting is called by the President when both Houses cannot agree on a bill (other than a money bill) and is a way to break deadlocks.
29. What options does the President have upon receiving a bill?
The President can give assent, withhold assent, or (except for money bills) return the bill for reconsideration with recommendations.
30. When does a bill become law despite presidential hesitation?
If the President returns a non-money bill and Parliament passes it again (with or without amendments), the President must give assent for it to become law.
31. Define a ‘private member’s bill’ and its importance.
A private member’s bill is introduced by a parliamentarian who is not a minister; while rarely passed, it raises issues and stimulates debate on policy matters.
32. How does the first reading of a bill differ from the second reading?
First reading introduces and circulates the bill; second reading involves detailed debate and clause-by-clause discussion with possible amendments.
33. What is meant by ‘assent’?
Assent is the President’s formal approval of a bill, after which the bill becomes an enforceable law.
34. Describe the role of the government in drafting bills.
Government ministries draft bills based on policy, consult stakeholders and legal experts, and a minister introduces key bills in Parliament for consideration.
35. Distinguish between an ordinary bill and a money bill.
An ordinary bill covers general matters and can be introduced in either House; a money bill deals solely with taxation and public expenditure and must originate in Lok Sabha.
36. What is a financial bill?
A financial bill relates to public finances but may not strictly be a money bill; its classification depends on presidential certification and procedure varies accordingly.
37. Explain the special status of money bills in Rajya Sabha.
Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject money bills; it may only make recommendations which Lok Sabha can accept or reject; Rajya Sabha must return such bills within 14 days.
38. What majority is needed to pass an ordinary bill?
A simple majority (more than half of members present and voting) is generally sufficient to pass an ordinary bill.
39. When is a constitutional amendment bill required?
When changes to the Constitution are necessary, such as altering fundamental provisions or procedures, a constitutional amendment bill must be passed with a special majority and sometimes state ratification.
40. What majority is needed for most constitutional amendments?
Most constitutional amendments require a special majority of two‑thirds of members present and voting and a majority of the total membership of each house; some also need ratification by state legislatures.
41. Why are parliamentary committees necessary?
Committees allow detailed examination of bills and issues, provide expert input, save time of the full House, and increase legislative quality through focused scrutiny.
42. Differentiate between standing and ad hoc committees.
Standing committees are permanent and handle ongoing subjects; ad hoc committees are temporary and formed to deal with specific bills or issues.
43. What is the function of the Estimates Committee?
The Estimates Committee examines how government funds are spent and suggests economies and improved efficiency in public expenditure.
44. What is the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)?
The PAC scrutinises government accounts, examines audit reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), and ensures public money is used as intended.
45. What role does the Committee on Public Undertakings play?
It examines the reports and accounts of public sector undertakings and evaluates their performance and management.
46. Explain the role of the Speaker in law-making.
The Speaker organises debates, ensures orderly conduct, selects bills for discussion, and gives rulings on parliamentary procedure that can affect how laws are considered.
47. What is the significance of the Speaker’s Certificate on money bills?
The Speaker’s certificate determines whether a bill is a money bill; this certification is final and shapes how the bill proceeds between houses.
48. How do committees gather information?
Committees summon experts, request reports, hold hearings, and examine written and oral evidence to form informed recommendations on legislation and policy.
49. Why is consultation with states needed for some bills?
Bills affecting states’ powers or federal balance may require state consultation or ratification to respect federal principles and ensure cooperative governance.
50. Suggest two ways Parliament can improve law-making.
By strengthening committee review, inviting wider expert consultation, improving debate quality, and ensuring timely public consultations and impact assessments.