UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims): Parliamentary System | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q.1. A parliamentary system of government is one in which    (2020-I)
(a) All political parties in the parliament are represented in the government
(b) The government is responsible to the parliament and can be remove by it
(c) The government is elected by the people and can be removed by them
(d) The government is chosen by the parliament but cannot be removed by it before completion of a fixed term

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Article 75: The ministers are collectively responsible to the Parliament in general and to the Lok Sabha in particular. The principle of collective responsibility implies that the Lok Sabha can remove the ministry (i.e., council of ministers headed by the prime minister) from office by passing a vote of no confidence.

Q.2. The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that (2017-I)
(a) the executive and legislature work independently
(b) it provides continuity of policy and is more efficient
(c) the executive remains responsible to the legislature
(d) the head of the government cannot be changed without election

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Parliamentary system is also known as Cabinet Government. It provides for collective responsibility of the executive to the legislature.

Q.3. The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the    (2016-I)
(a) Lok Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership
(b) Lok Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its total membership
(c) Rajya Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership
(d) Rajya Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting

Correct Answer is Option (d)
If the Rajya Sabha declares that it is necessary in the national interest that Parliament should make laws on a matter in the State List, then the Parliament becomes competent to make laws on that matter. Such a resolution must be passed by the Rajya Sabha by a majority of not less than two-third of its members present and voting.

Q.4. There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the    (2015-I)
(a) Lok Sabha is elected directly by the people
(b) Parliament can amend the Constitution
(c) Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved
(d) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha

Correct Answer is Option (d)
The executive in a Parliamentary system is responsible 1to the legislature for all its actions. The ministers are answerable to the parliament and responsible to the Lok Sabha. The Council of Ministers remains in office as long as they enjoy the support and confidence of the Lok Sabha.

Q.5. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution did the President make a reference to the Supreme Court to seek the Court’s opinion on the Constitutional validity of the Election Commission’s decision on deferring the Gujarat Assembly Elections (in the year 2002) ?  (2003)
(a) Article 142
(b) Article 143
(c) Article 144
(d) Article 145

Correct Answer is Option (b)
Article 143 provides power to the President to consult the Supreme Court.

Q.6. Consider the following statements: An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by the:  (1999)

1. Lok Sabha
   
2. Rajya Sabha
   
3. State Legislature
   
4. President

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 2

Correct Answer is Option (d)
An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by either House of Parliament under article 368. It does not require the President's recommendation.

Q.7. Which of the following are matters on which a constitutional amendment is possible only with the ratification of the legislature of not less than one-half of the states?   (1995)

1. Election of the President
   
2. Representation of states in Parliament
   
3. Any of the Lists in the 7th Schedule
   
4. Abolition of the Legislature Council of a State

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 1, 3, and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer is Option (a)
Abolition of Legislative Council of a state does not need the ratification of not less than one half states. Under Art. 169, it has been mentioned that Parliament can create or abolish the council if that every State passes a resolution to do so with special majority. So drop point 4.

Q.8. What is not explicitly stated in the Constitution of India but followed as a convention?   (1995)
(a) The Finance Minister is to be a Member of the Lower House
(b) The Prime Minister has to resign if he loses the majority in the Lower House
(c) All sections of India are to be represented in the Councils of Ministers
(d) If both the President and the Vice-President demit office simultaneously before the end of the tenure, Speaker of the Lower House of the Parliament will officiate as the President

Correct Answer is Option (b)
PM resigns, if he loses the majority in the house is a convention and not mentioned in the constitution. Conventions are unwritten practices which are binding on the three organs of the State. Unlike the President, the Prime Minister does not have a fixed tenure. The full term of the Prime Minister is five years, which coincides with the normal life of the Lok Sabha. However, the term can end sooner if he loses the vote of confidence in the Lower House. So, it can be said that he remains in power as long as he enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister can also resign by writing to the President. There are no term limits on the office of the Prime Minister. There is also no official retirement age.