6. The Parliamentary System: 

Legislature and Executive

📘 40 MCQs & Answers


1️⃣ India has which type of legislature?

a) Unicameral
b) Bicameral
c) Federal
d) Unitary
Answer: b) Bicameral


2️⃣ The Parliament of India consists of —

a) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
b) President and Lok Sabha
c) President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha
d) Prime Minister and Cabinet
Answer: c) President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha


3️⃣ The Lok Sabha is also known as —

a) Upper House
b) House of States
c) House of the People
d) Council of Ministers
Answer: c) House of the People


4️⃣ The Rajya Sabha is also known as —

a) House of the People
b) Council of States
c) House of Commons
d) House of Representatives
Answer: b) Council of States


5️⃣ Members of Lok Sabha are —

a) Nominated by the President
b) Elected by State Assemblies
c) Directly elected by the people
d) Appointed by the Prime Minister
Answer: c) Directly elected by the people


6️⃣ Members of Rajya Sabha are —

a) Directly elected by the people
b) Nominated by Governors
c) Indirectly elected by State Legislatures
d) Appointed by the Prime Minister
Answer: c) Indirectly elected by State Legislatures


7️⃣ The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is —

a) 500
b) 545
c) 552
d) 560
Answer: c) 552


8️⃣ The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is —

a) 238
b) 240
c) 245
d) 250
Answer: d) 250


9️⃣ The presiding officer of the Lok Sabha is —

a) Prime Minister
b) President
c) Speaker
d) Vice-President
Answer: c) Speaker


10️⃣ The presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha is —

a) President
b) Speaker
c) Vice-President
d) Prime Minister
Answer: c) Vice-President


11️⃣ India adopted the Parliamentary system from —

a) USA
b) France
c) Britain
d) Canada
Answer: c) Britain


12️⃣ The President of India is the —

a) Real head of the government
b) Nominal head of the state
c) Leader of Lok Sabha
d) Head of Judiciary
Answer: b) Nominal head of the state


13️⃣ The Prime Minister of India is the —

a) Ceremonial head
b) Real head of the government
c) Head of Judiciary
d) Governor of the States
Answer: b) Real head of the government


14️⃣ The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to —

a) Rajya Sabha
b) Lok Sabha
c) President
d) Supreme Court
Answer: b) Lok Sabha


15️⃣ The tenure of Lok Sabha is —

a) 4 years
b) 5 years
c) 6 years
d) Permanent
Answer: b) 5 years


16️⃣ The Rajya Sabha is a —

a) Temporary House
b) Dissolved House
c) Permanent House
d) Emergency House
Answer: c) Permanent House


17️⃣ One-third of Rajya Sabha members retire every —

a) Year
b) Two years
c) Three years
d) Five years
Answer: b) Two years


18️⃣ The first Lok Sabha was formed in —

a) 1947
b) 1950
c) 1952
d) 1955
Answer: c) 1952


19️⃣ The Prime Minister is appointed by —

a) Chief Justice
b) President
c) Vice-President
d) Speaker
Answer: b) President


20️⃣ The Rajya Sabha represents —

a) The people of India
b) The States and Union Territories
c) The Government
d) The Judiciary
Answer: b) The States and Union Territories


21️⃣ The Lok Sabha represents —

a) The States
b) The People of India
c) The Judiciary
d) The Executive
Answer: b) The People of India


22️⃣ The President can dissolve the —

a) Rajya Sabha
b) Lok Sabha
c) Supreme Court
d) High Court
Answer: b) Lok Sabha


23️⃣ The head of the Union Government is —

a) Governor
b) Prime Minister
c) President
d) Speaker
Answer: b) Prime Minister


24️⃣ The Prime Minister heads the —

a) Parliament
b) Council of Ministers
c) Judiciary
d) Opposition
Answer: b) Council of Ministers


25️⃣ The system where Executive is responsible to the Legislature is called —

a) Presidential
b) Parliamentary
c) Federal
d) Dictatorial
Answer: b) Parliamentary


26️⃣ The term of the President of India is —

a) 4 years
b) 5 years
c) 6 years
d) 7 years
Answer: b) 5 years


27️⃣ The Speaker of Lok Sabha is elected by —

a) President
b) Members of Lok Sabha
c) Members of Rajya Sabha
d) Prime Minister
Answer: b) Members of Lok Sabha


28️⃣ Money Bills can be introduced only in —

a) Rajya Sabha
b) Lok Sabha
c) Either House
d) By President
Answer: b) Lok Sabha


29️⃣ The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers hold office till —

a) President wishes
b) Rajya Sabha approves
c) They enjoy confidence of Lok Sabha
d) Judiciary allows
Answer: c) They enjoy confidence of Lok Sabha


30️⃣ The Opposition party plays a role in —

a) Helping the Government secretly
b) Supporting only popular bills
c) Criticising and checking the Government
d) Running the Parliament
Answer: c) Criticising and checking the Government


31️⃣ The Parliament controls the Executive through —

a) Elections only
b) No-confidence motions, questions, and debates
c) Judiciary
d) Governors
Answer: b) No-confidence motions, questions, and debates


32️⃣ The Prime Minister acts as —

a) Head of the Judiciary
b) Head of the Country
c) Head of the Government
d) Head of States
Answer: c) Head of the Government


33️⃣ The Judiciary ensures —

a) Government functions
b) Law and justice are maintained
c) Elections are fair
d) Parliament passes laws
Answer: b) Law and justice are maintained


34️⃣ The term “Bicameral Legislature” means —

a) One House
b) Two Houses
c) Three Houses
d) Four Houses
Answer: b) Two Houses


35️⃣ Which one of the following is the Upper House of Parliament?

a) Lok Sabha
b) Rajya Sabha
c) Vidhan Sabha
d) Legislative Council
Answer: b) Rajya Sabha


36️⃣ The Prime Minister must be a member of —

a) Supreme Court
b) Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha
c) State Assembly
d) Governor’s Office
Answer: b) Rajya Sabha or Lok Sabha


37️⃣ The term “Collective Responsibility” means —

a) Each minister acts independently
b) All ministers are jointly responsible to Lok Sabha
c) Only PM answers in Parliament
d) Judiciary supervises the government
Answer: b) All ministers are jointly responsible to Lok Sabha


38️⃣ The President’s role in India is —

a) Political
b) Ceremonial and constitutional
c) Judicial
d) Executive only
Answer: b) Ceremonial and constitutional


39️⃣ The Parliament meets at least —

a) Once a year
b) Twice a year
c) Thrice a year
d) Four times a year
Answer: c) Thrice a year


40️⃣ The main purpose of the Women’s Reservation Bill (2023) is —

a) Provide free education to women
b) Reserve jobs for women
c) Reserve one-third of seats in legislatures for women
d) Promote women’s sports

Answer: c) Reserve one-third of seats in legislatures for women

🟡 Section B: Short Answer Questions (20)

(Answer in 2–3 lines each)

1️⃣ What is meant by Parliamentary Government?
✅ A system in which the Executive (Prime Minister and Council of Ministers) is responsible to the Legislature (Parliament).

2️⃣ Who is the nominal and real head of the Government of India?
✅ Nominal Head – President; Real Head – Prime Minister.

3️⃣ Name the two Houses of Parliament.
✅ Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

4️⃣ Who presides over the meetings of Lok Sabha?
✅ The Speaker.

5️⃣ Who presides over the meetings of Rajya Sabha?
✅ The Vice-President.

6️⃣ What is the tenure of the Lok Sabha?
✅ 5 years (unless dissolved earlier).

7️⃣ Why is the Rajya Sabha called a permanent House?
✅ Because it is never dissolved; one-third of members retire every two years.

8️⃣ What is meant by “Collective Responsibility”?
✅ The entire Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha for all its decisions.

9️⃣ What is a Bill?
✅ A proposal for making or changing a law presented in Parliament.

10️⃣ What is the difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in law-making?
✅ Money Bills can be introduced only in Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha can only recommend changes.

11️⃣ Who can dissolve the Lok Sabha?
✅ The President, on advice of the Prime Minister.

12️⃣ What is Question Hour?
✅ A period in Parliament when MPs ask questions to ministers about their work.

13️⃣ Who forms the government after the elections?
✅ The political party or coalition with majority in Lok Sabha.

14️⃣ What is the Opposition?
✅ The party with the second-largest number of seats that criticizes and checks the government.

15️⃣ What is the main function of Parliament?
✅ To make laws and control the government.

16️⃣ What is meant by Bicameral Legislature?
✅ A legislature having two Houses—Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

17️⃣ What are the main organs of the Indian Government?
✅ Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

18️⃣ What is the minimum age for being a Lok Sabha member?
✅ 25 years.

19️⃣ What are the main functions of the President?
✅ To appoint the Prime Minister, give assent to bills, and represent the nation.

20️⃣ Why is the Parliament called the “Voice of the People”?
✅ Because it represents the will and opinions of people through their elected representatives.


🔵 Section C: Long Answer Questions (20)

(Answer in 5–8 lines each)

1️⃣ Explain the composition of the Indian Parliament.
✅ The Indian Parliament consists of the President, Lok Sabha (House of the People), and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). Lok Sabha members are directly elected, while Rajya Sabha members are elected by state legislatures.

2️⃣ Describe the main features of the Parliamentary System in India.
✅ Dual heads (President and PM), collective responsibility, majority party rule, Prime Minister’s leadership, presence of Opposition, and accountability of the Executive to Parliament.

3️⃣ How is the Prime Minister appointed and what are his functions?
✅ The President appoints the leader of the majority party as Prime Minister. He heads the Council of Ministers, advises the President, coordinates ministries, and represents India.

4️⃣ Explain the role of the President in the Parliamentary system.
✅ The President is the constitutional head, acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers, signs bills into laws, and represents the nation.

5️⃣ What are the main functions of the Parliament?
✅ Law-making, controlling the Executive, approving Budget, amending the Constitution, and discussing national issues.

6️⃣ Explain how a Bill becomes a Law in Parliament.
✅ A Bill is introduced → discussed and passed in one House → sent to the other House → approved → sent to the President for assent → becomes law.

7️⃣ Differentiate between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
✅ Lok Sabha is directly elected, can be dissolved, has greater financial powers; Rajya Sabha is permanent and represents states.

8️⃣ What is meant by “Collective Responsibility”? Explain with an example.
✅ All ministers share responsibility for government decisions. If one fails, all must resign. Example: if Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, the whole ministry resigns.

9️⃣ What is the role of the Opposition in Parliament?
✅ To question government actions, highlight public problems, and provide alternative solutions, ensuring accountability.

10️⃣ What is the importance of Question Hour and Zero Hour?
✅ They allow MPs to question ministers and raise urgent matters, ensuring transparency and responsibility.

11️⃣ Explain why India adopted the Parliamentary system instead of the Presidential one.
✅ To ensure collective responsibility, prevent dictatorship, and promote coordination between the Executive and Legislature.

12️⃣ Describe the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature in India.
✅ The Executive is part of the Legislature and remains in office only as long as it has the support of the Lok Sabha.

13️⃣ Discuss the importance of the Opposition in a democracy.
✅ The Opposition ensures accountability, raises people’s issues, and strengthens democracy through debates and criticism.

14️⃣ Explain the concept of Separation of Powers in India.
✅ Power is divided among Legislature (makes laws), Executive (implements), and Judiciary (interprets), ensuring no misuse of power.

15️⃣ Describe the significance of the Rajya Sabha in the federal setup.
✅ It protects state interests, revises laws, and provides stability through continuity.

16️⃣ Explain how Parliament controls the Executive.
✅ Through questions, motions, debates, and the power to remove the government by no-confidence motion.

17️⃣ What are the financial powers of Parliament?
✅ It passes the Budget, approves expenditure, and controls taxation and borrowing.

18️⃣ Why is the Parliament called the “Supreme Law-Making Body”?
✅ Because it makes, amends, and repeals laws for the entire country.

19️⃣ What is the importance of the Women’s Reservation Bill?
✅ It ensures 33% reservation for women in legislatures, promoting gender equality and political participation.

20️⃣ Explain the role of Judiciary in maintaining the democratic balance.
✅ The Judiciary ensures laws follow the Constitution, protects citizens’ rights, and keeps checks on the Legislature and Executive.