2015 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2015 · GS Paper I
Question 37: Polity and Governance
When a bill is referred to a joint sitting of both the Houses of the Parliament, it has to be passed by
aa simple majority of members present and voting
bthree-fourths majority of members present and voting
ctwo-thirds majority of the Houses
dabsolute majority of the Houses
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
When the two Houses disagree over an ordinary bill, the President can summon a joint sitting under Article 108. The bill is decided by a simple majority of the members of both Houses present and voting. Because the Lok Sabha has far more members, it usually prevails. Money Bills and Constitution Amendment Bills are outside this procedure.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Correct: a joint sitting decides by a simple majority of members present and voting.
- (b) A three-fourths majority is not used for joint sittings.
- (c) A two-thirds majority is not the test at a joint sitting; simple majority is enough.
- (d) An absolute majority of the Houses is not the test at a joint sitting.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.