Daily Static Quiz Prelims Practice 2027
Option (b) is correct — each State MLA's vote value is State population (1971 census) divided by (elected MLAs × 1000); summing these across States gives the total State Assembly vote value, which divided by total elected MPs of both Houses yields the MP's vote value (currently 708), ensuring parity between Parliamentary and State Assembly weight in the Electoral College. Option (a) is wrong — it bypasses the State Assembly vote total, the federal balancing mechanism at the formula's core. Option (c) is wrong — it misplaces where the 1000 multiplier applies (in the per-MLA calculation, not the total MLA count). Option (d) is wrong — a simple population-weighted average isn't the actual formula, which requires the specific per-State MLA vote value calculation.
- The Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved; only the Lok Sabha is subject to dissolution by the President.
- In the event of a deadlock over an ordinary bill, the President may summon a joint sitting where the bill is passed by a majority of total members of both Houses present and voting.
- The Rajya Sabha has equal powers with the Lok Sabha in the passage of Constitutional Amendment Bills.
- A Money Bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha can be returned to the Lok Sabha with amendments, which the Lok Sabha is bound to accept.
Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House under Article 83(1), never dissolved; only the Lok Sabha can be dissolved under Article 85. Under Article 108, a deadlock on an ordinary bill can be resolved via joint sitting, decided by simple majority of both Houses combined, favouring the larger Lok Sabha. Constitutional Amendment Bills under Article 368 require independent special-majority passage by each House with no joint sitting provision, giving Rajya Sabha an effective veto. Statement 4 is incorrect — Money Bills cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha at all; they must originate in the Lok Sabha under Article 109, and the Lok Sabha is not bound to accept any Rajya Sabha amendments.
Option (a) is correct — the pro tem Speaker, appointed by the President from among the senior-most newly elected members, presides until a permanent Speaker is elected, with the primary function of administering the oath to new members. Option (b) describes the Deputy Speaker's automatic succession during normal sessions, a different arrangement. Option (c) describes the Panel of Chairpersons, nominated by the Speaker for when both Speaker and Deputy Speaker are absent. Option (d) is fabricated — no provision exists for a retired Chief Justice in this role; a pro tem Speaker is always a sitting elected MP.
- The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines the annual audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General and is by convention chaired by a member of the Opposition.
- The Estimates Committee examines the estimates of expenditure included in the budget and suggests economies and alternative policies; it has 30 members drawn from the Lok Sabha only.
- The Committee on Public Undertakings examines the working of public sector enterprises and its reports are binding on the government, which must implement all recommendations within six months.
- Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) examine bills referred to them by the House and can also scrutinise the demands for grants of the concerned ministries.
Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. The PAC scrutinises CAG audit reports and, by convention since 1967, is chaired by an Opposition member, with 22 members (15 Lok Sabha, 7 Rajya Sabha). The Estimates Committee has 30 members drawn exclusively from the Lok Sabha, examining budget estimates for economies and alternatives. DRSCs perform pre-legislative scrutiny of referred bills and examine ministries' demands for grants. Statement 3 is incorrect — committee reports, including the Committee on Public Undertakings', are recommendatory, not binding, with no constitutional obligation on the government to implement them within any fixed timeframe.
Reason (R): Only the Rajya Sabha can pass a resolution under Article 249 enabling Parliament to legislate on a State List subject, and only the Rajya Sabha can pass a resolution under Article 312 for the creation of new All-India Services — neither power is available to the Lok Sabha independently.
Both A and R are correct, and R explains A. The Rajya Sabha holds exclusive special powers reflecting its role as guardian of federal interests. Article 249 lets it authorise, by two-thirds majority, Parliament to legislate on a State List subject for up to a year in the national interest, and Article 312 lets it, by the same majority, create new All-India Services common to Union and States — both powers unavailable to the Lok Sabha independently, precisely and completely explaining the Assertion.
