Laxmikanth Test: Parliamentary System - 1 - UPSC MCQ

1. Morarji Desai - Unstable Government: Correct

- Morarji Desai's government is cited as an example of instability in the parliamentary system, making this pair correctly matched.

2. Indira Gandhi - No Continuity of Policies: Incorrect

- Indira Gandhi is associated with the "Dictatorship of the Cabinet" due to her significant majority leading to autocratic powers, not specifically with the lack of policy continuity.

3. K.M. Munshi - Familiarity with the System: Correct

- K.M. Munshi advocated for the British parliamentary system, emphasizing the familiarity of constitution-makers with the system, thus correctly matched.

4. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar - Preference for More Responsibility: Correct

- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar highlighted the British parliamentary system’s balance between stability and responsibility, making this pair correctly matched.

In summary, pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 2 is not. Hence, the correct answer is Option C: Only three pairs.

The presiding officer (Speaker or Chairman) declares the House adjourned sine die when the business of the session is completed. Within the next few days, the governor issues notification for the prorogation of the session. However, the governor can also prorogue the House which is in session. Unlike an adjournment, a prorogation terminates a session of the House.

Statement-I correctly distinguishes between the Indian republican system and the British monarchy. India operates as a republic, while Britain has a hereditary monarchy.
Statement-II correctly highlights the difference in the eligibility criteria for Prime Ministers in India and Britain. In Britain, the Prime Minister must be a member of the House of Commons, while in India, they can be from either house of Parliament. However, Statement-II does not provide an explanation for Statement-I but presents an additional contrast between the two systems.

Total members in Rajya Sabha are 245. Total members in Lok Sabha are 545. UP has the highest number of seats in Lok Sabha. Sikkim, Mizoram, Nagaland have just 1 seat in Lok Sabha.

The scheme of Youth Parliament was started on the recommendation of the Fourth All India Whips Conference. Its objectives are: 1. to acquaint the younger generations with practices and procedures of Parliament; 2. to imbibe the spirit of discipline and tolerance cultivating character in the minds of youth; Band 3. to inculcate in the student community the basic values of democracy and to enable them to acquire a proper perspective on the functioning of democratic institutions. The ministry of parliamentary affairs provides necessary training and encouragement to the states in introducing the scheme.

Adjourn Motion: An adjournment motion is a motion used to adjourn the proceedings of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific matter of urgent public importance. It is used to interrupt the normal business of the House to address an urgent issue.

Censure Motion: A censure motion is a motion moved by a member in either House of Parliament expressing a strong disapproval of or condemnation of actions or policies of the government or ministers.

Closure Motion: Closure motion is a procedural motion used in the Parliament to bring an end to the debate on a matter under discussion. It aims to hasten the legislative process by limiting further debate and moving to a vote.

Hence, option D is correct.

The correct option is "All of above."

Statement 1 is correct. A Money Bill cannot be introduced in the Legislative Council of a state, as per Article 198 of the Indian Constitution.

Statement 2 is correct. Yes, a money bill can only be introduced in the Legislative Assembly of a state on the recommendation of the Governor. 

Statement 3 is correct. Every Money Bill is considered to be a government bill, and it can only be introduced by a minister.

1. India operates under a republican system - Britain operates under a monarchy: Correctly matched. India is a republic with an elected Head of State, whereas Britain has a hereditary monarchy.

2. India's Parliament has limited powers due to a written Constitution - Britain's Parliament is sovereign: Correctly matched. India's Parliament is constrained by a written Constitution, federalism, judicial review, and protection of fundamental rights, while Britain's Parliament is sovereign with no such written constitution limiting its powers.

3. Prime Minister in India must be a member of the Lok Sabha - Prime Minister in Britain must be a member of the House of Commons: Incorrectly matched. In India, the Prime Minister can be a member of either the Lok Sabha (House of the People) or the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). In Britain, the Prime Minister must be a member of the House of Commons.

4. Ministers in India must be members of Parliament - Non-members cannot serve as ministers in Britain: Incorrectly matched. In India, non-members can serve as ministers for a maximum of six months before they must get elected to either house of Parliament. In Britain, ministers are typically members of Parliament, but the statement is phrased ambiguously.

Thus, only pairs 1 and 2 are correctly matched.

1. Articles 74 and 75: Focus on the parliamentary system at the Centre.

- Correct. These articles establish the framework for the parliamentary system, including the roles of the Council of Ministers and the Prime Minister at the Centre.

2. Articles 163 and 164: Relate to the states' parliamentary system.

- Correct. These articles pertain to the structure and functions of the parliamentary system at the state level, similar to Articles 74 and 75 at the Centre.

3. The President: Real executive, leading the government.

- Incorrect. The President of India is the nominal executive and a ceremonial head of state, not the real executive.

4. The Prime Minister: Ceremonial head of state.

- Incorrect. The Prime Minister is the real executive, leading the government and making day-to-day decisions, not a ceremonial head of state.

Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.

The correct option is: Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

Explanation:

• Statement-I: "Parliamentary systems often lack continuity in long-term policies due to government tenure uncertainties." This is correct because in parliamentary systems, changes in government can lead to shifts in policies, which can disrupt long-term planning.

• Statement-II: "The system provided better representation for various sections, interests, and regions, fostering national unity and inclusivity." This is also correct because parliamentary systems typically offer better representation of diverse groups through proportional representation and coalition governments, which can enhance national unity and inclusivity.

However, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I. While both statements are true, they address different aspects of parliamentary systems. Statement-I discusses policy continuity, while Statement-II discusses representation and inclusivity.

Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Assembly.

Article 312 of the Constitution of India empowers the Parliament to create new All India Services other than the All India Judicial Service (AIJS). However, before creating any new service, a resolution must be passed by the Rajya Sabha with a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting, declaring that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest to do so. Once the resolution is passed, Parliament may create such new service by passing a law.

Therefore, statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is also correct, as the Rajya Sabha resolution must be supported by two-thirds of the members present and voting.

Let's examine each statement in detail:

1. In the British parliamentary system, the Prime Minister must be a member of the House of Commons.
- This statement is correct. In the United Kingdom, it is a constitutional convention that the Prime Minister is a member of the House of Commons. This ensures that the Prime Minister is directly accountable to the elected house of Parliament.

2. India's Parliament holds sovereignty similar to the British Parliament due to federalism.
- This statement is incorrect. Unlike the British Parliament, which holds sovereignty, the Indian Parliament does not have similar absolute powers. India's Parliament operates within the constraints of a written Constitution, federalism, judicial review, and the protection of fundamental rights.

3. The concept of a "shadow cabinet" exists in the Indian parliamentary system.
- This statement is incorrect. The "shadow cabinet" is a feature unique to the British parliamentary system, where opposition members are prepared for future ministerial roles. This concept does not exist in the Indian parliamentary system.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option A: 1 Only.

1. The Prime Minister can advise the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha: Power to dissolve the legislature - Correct. The Prime Minister can indeed advise the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha, leading to fresh elections.

2. Ministers operate under the principle of secrecy: Take an oath of secrecy administered by the Prime Minister - Incorrect. Ministers take an oath of secrecy, but it is administered by the President, not the Prime Minister.

3. The American President is both the head of state and the head of government: Elected through an electoral college - Correct. The American President is both the head of state and the head of government and is elected through an electoral college.

4. Ministers in the parliamentary system are accountable to the Parliament: Accountability ensured through question hours and no-confidence motions - Correct. Ministers in the parliamentary system are indeed accountable to the Parliament, and this accountability is ensured through mechanisms like question hours and no-confidence motions.

Hence, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. The Prime Minister can advise the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha, leading to fresh elections before the term ends. This statement is correct as per the powers vested in the Prime Minister under the parliamentary system of India, where the executive can dissolve the lower house before the completion of its term.
2. The American President can dissolve the House of Representatives. This statement is incorrect. In the American presidential system, the President does not have the authority to dissolve the House of Representatives. The legislative branch operates independently of the executive.
3. The American presidential system operates under the doctrine of separation of powers. This statement is correct. The American system is based on the separation of powers, where the legislative, executive, and judicial branches function independently to prevent the concentration of power and ensure a system of checks and balances.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

- Statement-I: The Prime Minister can indeed advise the President to dissolve the Lok Sabha, leading to fresh elections. This is a power granted to the executive in a parliamentary system.

- Statement-II: Ministers in the parliamentary system are collectively accountable to the Parliament for their actions. This accountability is not on an individual minister basis.

- Justification: While Statement-I accurately reflects the power of the Prime Minister in a parliamentary system, Statement-II is incorrect because it oversimplifies the accountability structure. In a parliamentary system, individual ministers are not directly accountable to the Parliament; rather, the collective responsibility of the Cabinet is emphasized. Hence, Statement-II is incorrect.

The correct answer is:

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

Explanation:

• Statement-I is correct: In a parliamentary system, the executive (government) is accountable to the legislature (parliament). If the government loses the confidence of the majority in the legislature, it must resign.

• Statement-II is also correct: In a presidential system, the executive (president) is not accountable to the legislature and typically serves a fixed term. The president does not rely on the legislature's confidence to remain in office.

While both statements are correct, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I because they describe different systems of government rather than a cause-and-effect relationship between the two statements.