Parliament of India MCQs with Detailed Explanations

The following set of 30 high-quality Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) is designed for UPSC Civil Services, SSC, Banking, Railways, State PSCs, CDS, CAPF, NDA, Assam PSC, ADRE, and other competitive examinations in India. Each question includes the correct answer and a detailed explanation to strengthen conceptual understanding.

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1. The Parliament of India consists of:

A. President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha
B. Prime Minister, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha
C. President and Lok Sabha only
D. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha only

Answer: ✅ A. President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha

Explanation:

According to Article 79 of the Constitution, the Parliament consists of:

• The President
• Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
• Lok Sabha (House of the People)

Although the President is not a member of either House, no Bill can become law without the President’s assent.

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2. Which Article of the Constitution establishes the Parliament of India?

A. Article 74
B. Article 76
C. Article 79
D. Article 80

Answer: ✅ C. Article 79

Explanation:

Article 79 clearly states that there shall be a Parliament for the Union consisting of the President and two Houses—Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

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3. Which House of Parliament is known as the Upper House?

A. Lok Sabha
B. Rajya Sabha
C. Vidhan Sabha
D. Legislative Council

Answer: ✅ B. Rajya Sabha

Explanation:

Rajya Sabha is the Upper House because it represents the States and is a permanent body. Lok Sabha is the Lower House since its members are directly elected by the people.

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4. Which House is also called the House of the People?

A. Rajya Sabha
B. Lok Sabha
C. State Legislative Assembly
D. Constituent Assembly

Answer: ✅ B. Lok Sabha

Explanation:

Lok Sabha is directly elected by the citizens of India and therefore represents the people, earning the title “House of the People.”

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5. The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is:

A. 545
B. 548
C. 552
D. 560

Answer: ✅ C. 552

Explanation:

Under Article 81, the maximum strength can be:

• Up to 530 members from States
• Up to 20 members from Union Territories
• (Earlier provision for nominated Anglo-Indians has been abolished by the 104th Constitutional Amendment.)

Thus, the constitutional maximum remains 552.

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6. The present normal tenure of the Lok Sabha is:

A. 4 years
B. 5 years
C. 6 years
D. Permanent

Answer: ✅ B. 5 years

Explanation:

The normal term of the Lok Sabha is five years from its first sitting unless dissolved earlier. During a National Emergency, Parliament may extend its tenure by one year at a time.

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7. Rajya Sabha is a:

A. Temporary House
B. Permanent House
C. House dissolved every five years
D. House elected every year

Answer: ✅ B. Permanent House

Explanation:

Rajya Sabha is never dissolved. One-third of its members retire every two years, ensuring continuity.

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8. The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is:

A. 238
B. 245
C. 250
D. 252

Answer: ✅ C. 250

Explanation:

The Constitution provides:

• 238 elected members representing States and Union Territories.
• 12 nominated members appointed by the President.

Maximum strength = 250.

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9. Members of Rajya Sabha are elected for:

A. 4 years
B. 5 years
C. 6 years
D. 7 years

Answer: ✅ C. 6 years

Explanation:

Each Rajya Sabha member serves a six-year term, with one-third retiring every two years.

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10. Rajya Sabha members are elected by:

A. Direct election
B. Elected members of State Legislative Assemblies
C. Governors
D. President

Answer: ✅ B. Elected members of State Legislative Assemblies

Explanation:

Members are elected through proportional representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote by elected MLAs.

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11. The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio:

A. Speaker of Lok Sabha
B. Chairman of Rajya Sabha
C. Deputy Chairman
D. Prime Minister

Answer: ✅ B. Chairman of Rajya Sabha

Explanation:

Under Article 64, the Vice-President serves as the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

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12. Who presides over Lok Sabha?

A. President
B. Prime Minister
C. Speaker
D. Vice-President

Answer: ✅ C. Speaker

Explanation:

The Speaker is elected by Lok Sabha members and presides over its proceedings, maintaining order and interpreting rules.

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13. Which Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha?

A. Constitutional Amendment Bill
B. Ordinary Bill
C. Money Bill
D. Finance Commission Bill

Answer: ✅ C. Money Bill

Explanation:

Article 109 and Article 110 provide that a Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha after the President’s recommendation.

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14. Who decides whether a Bill is a Money Bill?

A. President
B. Prime Minister
C. Rajya Sabha Chairman
D. Speaker of Lok Sabha

Answer: ✅ D. Speaker of Lok Sabha

Explanation:

The Speaker’s certification regarding a Money Bill is final.

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15. The Rajya Sabha can delay a Money Bill for a maximum of:

A. 7 days
B. 10 days
C. 14 days
D. 30 days

Answer: ✅ C. 14 days

Explanation:

Rajya Sabha can only recommend amendments and must return the Bill within 14 days.

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16. Which House controls the Council of Ministers?

A. Lok Sabha
B. Rajya Sabha
C. President
D. Supreme Court

Answer: ✅ A. Lok Sabha

Explanation:

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha under Article 75(3).

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17. A Joint Sitting of Parliament is summoned by the:

A. Prime Minister
B. President
C. Speaker
D. Vice-President

Answer: ✅ B. President

Explanation:

Under Article 108, the President summons a Joint Sitting to resolve deadlocks between the Houses.

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18. Who presides over a Joint Sitting of Parliament?

A. President
B. Speaker of Lok Sabha
C. Chairman of Rajya Sabha
D. Prime Minister

Answer: ✅ B. Speaker of Lok Sabha

Explanation:

The Speaker presides over a Joint Sitting. If unavailable, the Deputy Speaker or Deputy Chairman presides.

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19. Which of the following Bills cannot be discussed in a Joint Sitting?

A. Ordinary Bill
B. Finance Bill
C. Constitutional Amendment Bill
D. Government Bill

Answer: ✅ C. Constitutional Amendment Bill

Explanation:

Constitutional Amendment Bills must be passed separately by each House under Article 368.

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20. The quorum required to conduct a meeting of either House is:

A. One-fourth
B. One-third
C. One-tenth
D. Half

Answer: ✅ C. One-tenth

Explanation:

A quorum is one-tenth of the total membership of the House.

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21. Which Constitutional Article deals with the composition of Rajya Sabha?

A. Article 79
B. Article 80
C. Article 81
D. Article 82

Answer: ✅ B. Article 80

Explanation:

Article 80 specifies the composition of Rajya Sabha, including elected and nominated members.

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22. Members nominated to Rajya Sabha are experts in:

A. Politics
B. Judiciary
C. Literature, Science, Art and Social Service
D. Defence

Answer: ✅ C. Literature, Science, Art and Social Service

Explanation:

The President nominates 12 eminent persons for their distinguished contributions in these fields.

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23. The minimum age to become a member of Lok Sabha is:

A. 21 years
B. 23 years
C. 25 years
D. 30 years

Answer: ✅ C. 25 years

Explanation:

A candidate must be at least 25 years old to contest Lok Sabha elections.

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24. The minimum age for Rajya Sabha membership is:

A. 25 years
B. 30 years
C. 35 years
D. 40 years

Answer: ✅ B. 30 years

Explanation:

Article 84 prescribes 30 years as the minimum age.

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25. Which House cannot be dissolved?

A. Lok Sabha
B. Rajya Sabha
C. Both
D. Neither

Answer: ✅ B. Rajya Sabha

Explanation:

Rajya Sabha is a permanent House with staggered retirement.

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26. Parliament exercises control over the Executive mainly through:

A. Judiciary
B. Question Hour and debates
C. Election Commission
D. UPSC

Answer: ✅ B. Question Hour and debates

Explanation:

Question Hour, Zero Hour, motions, discussions, and committee reports ensure executive accountability.

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27. Which Schedule of the Constitution allocates seats in Rajya Sabha to States?

A. First Schedule
B. Fourth Schedule
C. Fifth Schedule
D. Seventh Schedule

Answer: ✅ B. Fourth Schedule

Explanation:

The Fourth Schedule specifies the allocation of Rajya Sabha seats among States and Union Territories.

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28. The Parliament has the authority to amend the Constitution under:

A. Article 356
B. Article 360
C. Article 368
D. Article 370

Answer: ✅ C. Article 368

Explanation:

Article 368 lays down the procedure for constitutional amendments, requiring special majorities and, in some cases, State ratification.

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29. Which House has greater powers regarding the Budget?

A. Lok Sabha
B. Rajya Sabha
C. Both equal
D. President

Answer: ✅ A. Lok Sabha

Explanation:

The Budget and Money Bills originate only in the Lok Sabha, and the Council of Ministers is responsible to it.

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30. Which of the following is NOT a function of the Parliament of India?

A. Making laws
B. Controlling the Executive
C. Approving the Budget
D. Conducting elections to State Legislative Assemblies

Answer: ✅ D. Conducting elections to State Legislative Assemblies

Explanation:

Parliament’s key functions include:

• Law-making
• Financial control
• Executive accountability
• Constitutional amendments
• Deliberation on national issues

However, elections to State Legislative Assemblies are conducted by the Election Commission of India, not by Parliament.

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Quick Revision Points

• Article 79: Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha
• Lok Sabha: Maximum 552 members, 5-year tenure, directly elected
• Rajya Sabha: Maximum 250 members, permanent House, 6-year term
• Money Bill: Introduced only in Lok Sabha
• Speaker: Decides Money Bill
• Chairman of Rajya Sabha: Vice-President of India
• Joint Sitting: Article 108, presided over by the Speaker
• Constitutional Amendment: Article 368
• Rajya Sabha Composition: Article 80
• Lok Sabha Composition: Article 81
• Quorum: One-tenth of the total membership