LIWA

The Union Parliament — II

ICSE Class 10 · History & Civics · Chapter 2

What this chapter covers

Key points

Questions answered

What is a session of Parliament? What is the maximum gap allowed between two sessions?
A session is the period between the first sitting of a House and its prorogation, during which the House meets regularly to conduct business. Under Article 85, the gap between two sessions must not exceed six months.
Distinguish between adjournment and prorogation.
Adjournment is the postponement of a sitting by the Presiding Officer for a few hours or days within a session. Prorogation is the ending of a session by an order of the President.
What is the quorum of the Lok Sabha? Why is it needed?
The quorum is one-tenth of the total membership of the House, which is 55 members in a House of 543. It ensures that decisions are not taken by a very small number of members.
Distinguish between a starred and an unstarred question.
A starred question is answered orally on the floor of the House, and supplementary questions may follow. An unstarred question is answered in writing, the answer is laid on the table, and no supplementary questions are allowed.
What is a short notice question?
A short notice question is a question on a matter of urgent public importance asked with less notice than an ordinary question and answered orally, if the Presiding Officer admits it and the minister agrees.
What is meant by Zero Hour? Why is it so called?
Zero Hour is the time after Question Hour, starting at 12 noon, when members raise urgent matters without prior notice. It is so called because it begins at noon, and it is not provided for in the Rules of Procedure.
State two conditions for moving an adjournment motion. Why can it not be moved in the Rajya Sabha?
The matter must be definite and of urgent public importance, and the motion must be supported by at least 50 members. The Rajya Sabha cannot move it because the Council of Ministers is not responsible to the Rajya Sabha, and the motion carries an element of censure of the government.
What is a no-confidence motion? What happens if it is passed?
A no-confidence motion is a motion in the Lok Sabha, supported by at least 50 members, declaring that the House has lost confidence in the Council of Ministers. If it is passed, the Prime Minister and the whole Council of Ministers must resign.

Past board exam questions

ICSE 2027 sample paper · 3 marks

The Union Legislature of India is the law-making body of the country. With reference to the Parliament, answer the following questions: Mention any three key differences in power between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha that make the Lok Sabha more influential.

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Any three: 1. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha; a No-Confidence Motion can be moved and passed only in the Lok Sabha, and the ministry stays in office only while it enjoys the confidence of that House. 2. A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend it and can delay it for only 14 days. 3. The Lok Sabha controls the national purse – the Budget and demands for grants are passed by it. 4. In a deadlock over an ordinary Bill, the joint sitting is decided by majority, so the Lok Sabha's larger numerical strength makes its will prevail. 5. Only the Lok Sabha can pass an adjournment motion against the …

ICSE 2027 sample paper · 4 marks

The Union Legislature of India is the law-making body of the country. With reference to the Parliament, answer the following questions: Mention any four legislative powers of the Parliament.

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Any four: 1. Parliament makes laws on all subjects in the Union List. 2. It makes laws on subjects in the Concurrent List; if a State law conflicts with a Union law on such a subject, the Union law prevails. 3. It can make laws on subjects in the State List: when the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority declaring a subject to be of national importance, during a National Emergency, when two or more States request it, or to implement international treaties. 4. It has the power to make laws on residuary subjects (those not mentioned in any list). 5. It can amend the Constitution. 6. Ordinances issued by the President must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of its …

ICSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks

The Union Parliament comprises the President and the two houses. With reference to this, answer the following questions: Mention any three powers which are common to both the houses of the Parliament.

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Powers in which both Houses have equal say: 1. Amending the Constitution – an amendment must be passed by both Houses by a special majority. 2. Electing the President (by the elected members) and the Vice-President, and impeaching the President. 3. Removing judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. (Also: passing ordinary (non-money) bills; approving proclamations of emergency and ordinances.)

ICSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks

The Union Parliament comprises the President and the two houses. With reference to this, answer the following questions: Who elects the members of the Rajya Sabha? Mention any two exclusive powers to analyse the advantages of the Rajya Sabha.

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The members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies, by proportional representation through the single transferable vote (12 members are nominated by the President). Exclusive powers: 1. By a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority, it can declare a subject in the State List to be of national importance, empowering Parliament to make laws on it (Art. 249). 2. By a two-thirds majority resolution, it can authorise Parliament to create new All-India Services (Art. 312). These powers show its advantage as the House of the States, protecting the federal balance between the Union and the States.

ICSE 2026 board paper · 4 marks

The Union Parliament comprises the President and the two houses. With reference to this, answer the following questions: The Parliament controls the functioning of the Executive. Mention any four ways in which it exercises control.

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1. Questions and supplementary questions – members ask ministers questions on the working of their departments. 2. Adjournment motion – to discuss a matter of urgent public importance. 3. No-confidence motion – if passed in the Lok Sabha, the whole Council of Ministers must resign. 4. Control over finance – by rejecting the budget or passing cut motions, Parliament can express lack of confidence. (Also: censure motion, calling attention motion, debate on the President's address.)

ICSE 2025 sample paper · 1 mark

Who made the amendment which resulted in the below headline? > THE TIMES OF INDIA > In Historic Move Within 100 Days Of Modi-2, Govt Bifurcates State Into 2 UTs, Defangs Article 370 & Scraps 35A > KASHMIR IS NOW UNION'S TERRITORY > J&K To Lose Special Status, Centre To Directly Rule Ladakh > INDIA'S NORTH POLE SHIFTS TO CENTRE > Why now? PM, Shah felt political tide and timing favoured action

  1. The Supreme Court
  2. The President
  3. The Parliament
  4. The Prime Minister
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The Parliament

ICSE 2025 board paper · 1 mark

If an Adjournment Motion is passed in the Lok Sabha __________.

  1. the Lok Sabha will be dissolved.
  2. the House will discuss a matter of urgent public importance.
  3. the President ends the session.
  4. the Government will fall.
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the House will discuss a matter of urgent public importance.

ICSE 2025 sample paper · 1 mark

Identify the exclusive powers of the Rajya Sabha P: Can introduce a new All India Service Q: Can impeach the President R: Can never be dissolved as a whole S: Can introduce a Money Bill

  1. P and Q
  2. R and S
  3. P and R
  4. Q and S
Show answer
P and R