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

Correct Answer is Option (a)

• Statement 1: The Speaker determines the date for electing the Deputy Speaker. In contrast, the President sets the date for the election of the Speaker. 
• Statement 2: It is incorrect to say that a candidate for Deputy Speaker must come from either the principal opposition party or the ruling party. It is merely a tradition in India to offer the Deputy Speaker position to someone from the opposition party. 
• Statement 3: If the Speaker is not present, the Deputy Speaker takes charge of the Lok Sabha sessions and manages the activities in the house. The Deputy Speaker has the same authority as the Speaker while leading the house. 
• Statement 4: The Deputy Speaker is also chosen by the Lok Sabha from among its members immediately after the Speaker is elected. There is no rule or usual practice requiring the Speaker to propose the motion for the Deputy Speaker's election, nor is it seconded by the Prime Minister. 

Correct Answer is Option (c) 
Statement 1 is correct. Parliamentary sovereignty is a principle of the UK constitution. It makes Parliament the supreme legal authority in the UK, which can create or end any law. Generally, the courts cannot overrule its legislation and no Parliament can pass laws that future Parliaments cannot change.  
Indian Parliament is not a sovereign body like the British Parliament. The Indian Parliament may, in exercise of its constituent power, amend by way of addition, variation or repeal any provision of the Constitution in accordance with the procedure laid down for the purpose. However, the Parliament cannot amend those provisions which form the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution. This was ruled by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973). 
Statement 2 is correct. In India, matters related to the constitutionality of an amendment of an act of the Parliament are referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court. A Constitution Bench is a bench of the Supreme Court having five or more judges on it. These benches are not a routine phenomenon. A vast majority of cases before the Supreme Court are heard and decided by a bench of two judges (called a Division Bench), and sometimes of three. Constitution Benches are set up when the case involves a substantial question of law pertaining to the interpretation of the Constitution (Article 145(3) of the Constitution, which mandates that such matters be heard by a bench of not less than five judges). 
Presently, Constitution Benches are set up on an ad hoc basis as and when the need arises. The idea behind a Constitution Bench is clear: it is constituted in rare cases to decide important questions of fact or legal and/or constitutional interpretation. 

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.