2011 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2011 · GS Paper I

Question 43: Polity and Governance

When the annual Union Budget is not passed by the Lok Sabha,

athe Budget is modified and presented again
bthe Budget is referred to the Rajya Sabha for suggestions
cthe Union Finance Minister is asked to resign
dthe Prime Minister submits the resignation of Council of Ministers

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Defeat of the Budget (the money bill or Finance Bill) in the Lok Sabha means the government has lost the confidence of the House, because the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Article 75(3)). By convention the Prime Minister then submits the resignation of the whole Council of Ministers. The Budget is not modified and presented again, the Rajya Sabha has only a recommendatory role on money bills, and ministers are not asked to resign individually.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) A defeated Budget is not simply revised; the government must resign.
  • (b) The Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations on money bills and cannot rescue a defeated Budget.
  • (c) Collective responsibility means the whole ministry resigns, not only the Finance Minister.
  • (d) Right: the Prime Minister submits the resignation of the Council of Ministers.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2011, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.