1997 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies
Question 55: Polity and Governance
If the Prime Minister of India belonged to the Upper House of Parliament
ahe will not be able to vote in his favour in the event of a no confidence motion
bhe will not be able to speak on the Budget in the Lower House
che can make statements only on the Upper House
dhe has to become a member of the Lower House within six months after being sworn in as the Prime Minister
AnswerThe answer is (a).
A Prime Minister from the Rajya Sabha is a member of that House only, so he cannot vote in the Lok Sabha, including on a no-confidence motion. Under Article 88 every Minister may speak in and take part in the proceedings of either House, but may vote only in the House of which he is a member. No rule requires a Prime Minister from the Rajya Sabha to move to the Lok Sabha.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: as a Rajya Sabha member he has no vote in the Lok Sabha.
- (b) He may speak on the Budget in the Lok Sabha, under Article 88.
- (c) He can make statements in either House, not only in the Rajya Sabha.
- (d) No rule requires a Prime Minister from the Rajya Sabha to join the Lok Sabha; the six-month rule applies to a person who is not a member of Parliament.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.