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Q27 (IAS/2015) Polity & Governance › Parliament › Powers of houses Official Key

Consider the following statements : 1. The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill. 2. The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on the Demands for Grants. 3. The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

**Explanation:**

Statement 1 is correct: The Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend a money bill.[1] It can only make recommendations and must return the bill to the Lok Sabha within 14 days, whether with or without recommendations.[1]

Statement 2 is correct: Though the Rajya Sabha does not vote on the Demands for Grants, a new practice has been started since 1970, to discuss the working of few selected Ministries every year.[2] This confirms that the Rajya Sabha cannot vote on Demands for Grants.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Annual Budget of the Government of India has to be laid before the Rajya Sabha as well and members have the right to discuss the same as in the Lok Sabha.[3] The Annual Financial Statement is the formal name for the budget, and the Rajya Sabha has the right to discuss it.

Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, making option B the correct answer.

Sources
  1. [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Money Bill. > p. 248
  2. [2] https://cms.rajyasabha.nic.in/UploadedFiles/ElectronicPublications/RS_contribution_2022.pdf
  3. [3] https://cms.rajyasabha.nic.in/UploadedFiles/ElectronicPublications/RS_contribution_2022.pdf
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Q. Consider the following statements : 1. The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill. 2. The Rajya Sabha canno…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 5/10 · 5/10

This is a foundational 'Sitter' from the static portion of Indian Polity. It tests the core constitutional asymmetry between the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding financial powers. If you missed this, your reading of the 'Parliament' chapter in Laxmikanth or NCERT is superficial; these are non-negotiable basic facts.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Does the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution of India have the power to reject a Money Bill?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Money Bill. > p. 248
Presence: 5/5
“After a money bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha for its consideration. The Rajya Sabha has restricted powers with regard to a money bill. It cannot reject or amend a money bill. It can only make recommendations. It must return the bill to the Lok Sabha within 14 days, whether with or without recommendations. The Lok Sabha can either accept or reject all or any of the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha. If the Lok Sabha accepts any recommendation, the bill is then deemed to have been passed by both the Houses in the modified form.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states Rajya Sabha has restricted powers: it cannot reject or amend a Money Bill.
  • Says Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations and must return the bill within 14 days.
  • Notes Lok Sabha alone decides whether to accept or reject Rajya Sabha's recommendations.
Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > Special Powers of Rajya Sabha > p. 110
Presence: 5/5
“Powers exercised only by the Lok Sabha: Then, there are powers that only the Lok Sabha exercises. The Rajya Sabha cannot initiate, reject or amend money bills. The Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha and not Rajya Sabha. Therefore, Rajya Sabha can criticise the government but cannot remove it. Can you explain why? The Rajya Sabha is elected by the MLAs and not directly by the people. Therefore, the Constitution stopped short of giving certain powers to the Rajya Sabha. In a democratic form as adopted by our Constitution, the people are the final authority. By this logic, the representatives, directly elected by the people, should have the crucial powers of removing a government and controlling the finances.”
Why this source?
  • Specifically lists that Rajya Sabha cannot initiate, reject or amend money bills.
  • Explains constitutional rationale linking financial control to Lok Sabha's primacy.
Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > HOW DOES THE PARLIAMENT MAKE LAWS? > p. 113
Presence: 5/5
“If it is a money bill, the Rajya Sabha can either approve the bill or suggest changes but cannot reject it. If it takes no action within 14 days the bill is deemed to have been passed. Amendments to the bill, suggested by Rajya Sabha, may or may not be accepted by the Lok Sabha.”
Why this source?
  • States Rajya Sabha can approve or suggest changes but cannot reject a money bill.
  • Adds that if Rajya Sabha takes no action within 14 days the bill is deemed passed.
Statement 2
Does the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution of India have the power to amend a Money Bill?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Money Bill. > p. 248
Presence: 5/5
“After a money bill is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha for its consideration. The Rajya Sabha has restricted powers with regard to a money bill. It cannot reject or amend a money bill. It can only make recommendations. It must return the bill to the Lok Sabha within 14 days, whether with or without recommendations. The Lok Sabha can either accept or reject all or any of the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha. If the Lok Sabha accepts any recommendation, the bill is then deemed to have been passed by both the Houses in the modified form.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states Rajya Sabha has restricted powers and 'cannot ... amend a money bill'.
  • Describes Rajya Sabha role limited to making recommendations and returning bill within 14 days.
Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > Special Powers of Rajya Sabha > p. 110
Presence: 5/5
“Powers exercised only by the Lok Sabha: Then, there are powers that only the Lok Sabha exercises. The Rajya Sabha cannot initiate, reject or amend money bills. The Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha and not Rajya Sabha. Therefore, Rajya Sabha can criticise the government but cannot remove it. Can you explain why? The Rajya Sabha is elected by the MLAs and not directly by the people. Therefore, the Constitution stopped short of giving certain powers to the Rajya Sabha. In a democratic form as adopted by our Constitution, the people are the final authority. By this logic, the representatives, directly elected by the people, should have the crucial powers of removing a government and controlling the finances.”
Why this source?
  • States clearly that Rajya Sabha 'cannot initiate, reject or amend money bills'.
  • Explains constitutional rationale linking financial control to Lok Sabha's primacy.
Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > HOW DOES THE PARLIAMENT MAKE LAWS? > p. 113
Presence: 4/5
“If it is a money bill, the Rajya Sabha can either approve the bill or suggest changes but cannot reject it. If it takes no action within 14 days the bill is deemed to have been passed. Amendments to the bill, suggested by Rajya Sabha, may or may not be accepted by the Lok Sabha.”
Why this source?
  • Says Rajya Sabha can 'approve the bill or suggest changes but cannot reject it', implying only recommendatory changes not amendatory power.
  • Notes that if Rajya Sabha takes no action within 14 days the bill is deemed passed, reinforcing limited role.
Statement 3
Does the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution of India have the power to vote on the Demands for Grants?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Though the Rajya Sabha does not vote on the Demands for Grants, a new practice has been started since 1970, to discuss the working of few selected Ministries every year."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the Rajya Sabha does not vote on Demands for Grants.
  • Frames Rajya Sabha's role as deliberative rather than voting on financial demands, directly addressing the constitutional power questioned.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"After the recess, the Demands for Grants of individual departments are taken up in the Lok Sabha for discussion according to a time table as decided at the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the House and voted upon."
Why this source?
  • Describes that Demands for Grants are taken up in the Lok Sabha and voted upon, implying the Lok Sabha (not Rajya Sabha) exercises the voting power.
  • Shows procedural practice reinforcing that voting on Demands for Grants happens in the Lok Sabha.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Stages in Enactment > p. 253
Strength: 5/5
“4. Voting on Demands for Grants In the light of the reports of the departmental standing committees, the Lok Sabha takes up voting of demands for grants. The demands are presented ministrywise. A demand becomes a grant after it has been duly voted. Two points should be noted in this context. One, the voting of demands for grants is the exclusive privilege of the Lok Sabha, that is, the Rajya Sabha has no power of voting the demands. Second, the voting is confined to the votable part of the budget—the expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India is not submitted to the vote (it can only be discussed).”
Why relevant

States a rule that 'voting of demands for grants is the exclusive privilege of the Lok Sabha' and contrasts Rajya Sabha's role.

How to extend

A student could treat this as a general rule to check the Constitution or Rules of Procedure for explicit allocation of voting power on demands to Lok Sabha only.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 4: Government Budgeting > Detailed Discussion (Discussion on Demand for Grants) > p. 149
Strength: 5/5
“discussion on demand for grants. In Rajya Sabha, there is only a General Discussion on the budget. It does not vote on the Demand for Grants. [The demand for grants of Union Territories without Legislature is among the several demand for grants of the Centre and is approved as part of the Union budget. And the taxes from such Union territories are received under Consolidate Fund of India. As per Article 113 of the Constitution, expenditure which is charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India shall not be submitted to the Vote of the Parliament, but discussion can happen in either House of the Parliament on any of those estimates.”
Why relevant

Explains that in Rajya Sabha there is only a general discussion on the budget and it 'does not vote on the Demand for Grants'.

How to extend

Use this pattern (discussion-only role) and compare it with Lok Sabha practice (voting) across constitutional provisions to infer institutional limits on Rajya Sabha.

Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > Special Powers of Rajya Sabha > p. 110
Strength: 4/5
“Powers exercised only by the Lok Sabha: Then, there are powers that only the Lok Sabha exercises. The Rajya Sabha cannot initiate, reject or amend money bills. The Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha and not Rajya Sabha. Therefore, Rajya Sabha can criticise the government but cannot remove it. Can you explain why? The Rajya Sabha is elected by the MLAs and not directly by the people. Therefore, the Constitution stopped short of giving certain powers to the Rajya Sabha. In a democratic form as adopted by our Constitution, the people are the final authority. By this logic, the representatives, directly elected by the people, should have the crucial powers of removing a government and controlling the finances.”
Why relevant

Gives a constitutional rationale: Lok Sabha has superior financial/control powers because it is directly elected; Rajya Sabha is thereby denied certain money powers.

How to extend

A student could combine this principle with the specific budgeting practices to reason that voting on grants would likely be among those restricted to Lok Sabha.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 4: Government Budgeting > 4.1 Introduction > p. 147
Strength: 4/5
“3. Vote-on-Account: If the budget has not been passed and the government needs money to carry on its normal activities, then to overcome such difficulty, the Constitution has authorized the Lok Sabha to make any grant in advance in respect to the estimated expenditure for a part of the financial year, pending the completion of the voting of the demand for grants and the enactment of the Appropriation bill. This provision is known as the 'vote on account'. 'Vote on Account' deals only with the expenditure side of the government's budget. Through 'Vote on Account', the government obtains the vote of the Parliament for a sum sufficient to incur expenditure on various items for a part of the year.”
Why relevant

Notes 'Vote-on-Account' and says the Constitution has authorized the Lok Sabha to make grants in advance, highlighting a financial power explicitly ascribed to Lok Sabha.

How to extend

Apply this example of a Lok Sabha financial prerogative to test whether other grant-related votes (Demands for Grants) are similarly allocated.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Other Grants > p. 255
Strength: 4/5
“It is voted by the Lok Sabha after the financial year. Before the demands for excess grants are submitted to the Lok Sabha for voting, they must be approved by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. Vote of Credit It is granted for meeting an unexpected demand upon the resources of India, when on account of the magnitude or the indefinite character of the service, the demand cannot be stated with the details ordinarily given in a budget. Hence, it is like a blank cheque given to the Executive by th~ Lok Sabha. . Exceptional Grant It is granted for a special purpose and forms no part of the current service of any financial year.”
Why relevant

Describes other kinds of grants (excess grants, vote of credit, exceptional grant) being 'voted by the Lok Sabha' indicating a pattern that voting on financial appropriations is a Lok Sabha function.

How to extend

Extend this pattern to hypothesize that Demands for Grants, as a core appropriation exercise, would follow the same Lok Sabha-voting rule and verify against procedural/constitutional text.

Statement 4
Does the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution of India have the power to discuss the Annual Financial Statement (Union Budget)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Annual Budget of the Government of India has to be laid before the Rajya Sabha as well and members have the right to discuss the same as in the Lok Sabha."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the Annual Budget must be laid before the Rajya Sabha.
  • States Rajya Sabha members have the right to discuss the Budget though they cannot vote on Demands for Grants.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The President shall in respect of every financial year cause to be laid before both the Houses of Parliament a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for that year"
Why this source?
  • Cites Article 112 which requires the President to lay the Annual Financial Statement before both Houses of Parliament.
  • Implies Rajya Sabha, being one of the 'both Houses', receives the Annual Financial Statement and can therefore consider it.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Stages in Enactment > p. 252
Strength: 5/5
“Further, there shall be no discussion of the budget on the day on which it is presented to the House. The finance minister represents the budget with a speech known as the 'budget speech'. At the end of the speech in the Lok Sabha, the budget is laid before the Rajya Sabha, which can only discuss it and has no power to vote on the demands for grants.”
Why relevant

Explicitly states that after the budget speech the budget is laid before the Rajya Sabha which can only discuss it and has no power to vote on the demands for grants.

How to extend

A student could combine this with Article 112 wording (that budget is 'Annual Financial Statement') to infer Rajya Sabha's discussion role applies to that document.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Stages in Enactment > p. 252
Strength: 4/5
“Further, there shall be no discussion of the budget on the day on which it is presented to the House. The finance minister represents the budget with a speech known as the 'budget speech '. At the end of the speech in the Lok Sabha, the budget is laid before the Rajya Sabha, which can only discuss it and has no power to vote on the demands for grants.”
Why relevant

Repeats the rule that Rajya Sabha may discuss the budget but cannot vote on demands for grants, indicating a consistent procedural pattern.

How to extend

Use this repeated procedural pattern to check parliamentary rules/standing orders for discussion schedules in Rajya Sabha.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 4: Government Budgeting > Detailed Discussion (Discussion on Demand for Grants) > p. 149
Strength: 5/5
“discussion on demand for grants. In Rajya Sabha, there is only a General Discussion on the budget. It does not vote on the Demand for Grants. [The demand for grants of Union Territories without Legislature is among the several demand for grants of the Centre and is approved as part of the Union budget. And the taxes from such Union territories are received under Consolidate Fund of India. As per Article 113 of the Constitution, expenditure which is charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India shall not be submitted to the Vote of the Parliament, but discussion can happen in either House of the Parliament on any of those estimates.”
Why relevant

Says in Rajya Sabha there is only a General Discussion on the budget and it does not vote on Demands for Grants; also notes estimates charged on Consolidated Fund can be discussed in either House.

How to extend

A student could cross-reference which parts of the Annual Financial Statement are 'demands for grants' versus 'charged' to see what Rajya Sabha discussion would cover.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 4: Government Budgeting > 4.2 Budget Procedure > p. 148
Strength: 4/5
“The budget is presented in the parliament on the first working day of February at 11.00 am. The General Budget is presented in Lok Sabha by the finance minister and he/she makes a speech introducing the budget and after the speech it is presented in the Rajya Sabha. No discussion on Budget takes place on the day it is presented to the parliament. The main budget documents presented to parliament comprise, besides the Finance Minister Budget Speech, of the following: • Annual Financial Statement• Demand for Grants• Appropriation Bill• Finance Bill Budget is discussed in two stages - the general discussion followed by detailed discussion.”
Why relevant

Explains presentation procedure: budget presented in Lok Sabha, then 'presented in the Rajya Sabha', and that budget discussion occurs in two stages including general discussion.

How to extend

Combine this procedure with the timing (presentation in Rajya Sabha after Lok Sabha) to infer scope and limits of Rajya Sabha discussion on the Annual Financial Statement.

Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 12: The Union Legislature > p. 258
Strength: 4/5
“258 INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA [CHAP. 12 (b) So much of the estimates as relates to other expenditure shall be submitted in the form of demands for grants to the House of the People. And that House shall have power to assent, or to refuse LO assent, to any demand, or to assent to any demand subject to a reduction of the amount specified therein. No demand for a grant shall however be made except on the recommendation of the President [Article )13]. In practice. the presentation of the Annual Financial Statement is followed by a general discussion in both the Houses of Parliament.”
Why relevant

Notes that so much of the estimates as relate to other expenditure shall be submitted as demands for grants to the House of the People, and that in practice presentation is followed by a general discussion in both Houses.

How to extend

A student could use this to distinguish what items require Lok Sabha assent and therefore assess which parts Rajya Sabha discussion might be limited to.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC consistently tests 'Negative Liberties' of institutions—what they *cannot* do. Whenever you study a body (RS, Legislative Council, Election Commission), explicitly list their limitations. The distinction between 'Voting' (Power) and 'Discussion' (Deliberation) is a recurring trap.
How you should have studied
  1. Bullet 1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from Laxmikanth (Chapter: Parliament > Money Bill & Budget in Parliament) and NCERT Class XI (Legislature).
  2. Bullet 2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: 'Bicameralism & Financial Accountability'. The specific theme is the 'Unequal Status of Rajya Sabha' in financial matters.
  3. Bullet 3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the specific exclusions: (1) Cut Motions (LS only), (2) Vote on Account (LS only), (3) Charged Expenditure (Discussed by both, Voted by neither), (4) Finance Bill Category I (Intro in LS, but RS can reject/amend), (5) Finance Bill Category II (Same as Ordinary Bill).
  4. Bullet 4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not just memorize 'RS is weak'. Map the Budget Cycle (Presentation -> General Discussion -> Scrutiny -> Voting on Grants -> Appropriation -> Finance Bill). Mark exactly where RS enters and exits. RS enters at 'General Discussion' and exits before 'Voting on Grants'.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Rajya Sabha's limited powers over Money Bills
💡 The insight

All provided references emphasize that Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend money bills and only has a recommendatory role.

High-yield for polity questions: explains bicameral asymmetry on financial matters and is frequently tested in UPSC prelims/mains; links to executive responsibility and Lok Sabha primacy. Prepare by memorising the limited functions and contrasts with ordinary/financial bills, and practise answer framing for constitutional rationale.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Money Bill. > p. 248
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > Special Powers of Rajya Sabha > p. 110
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution of India have the power to reject a ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 14-day time limit for Rajya Sabha on Money Bills
💡 The insight

Multiple references mention the constitutionally fixed 14-day period for Rajya Sabha to return a money bill, after which it is deemed passed.

Memorable procedural fact often asked in objective and descriptive questions; connects to procedures for bill passage and differences between Money and Finance Bills. Learn via timeline charts and compare with other legislative timeframes.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Money Bill. > p. 248
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > HOW DOES THE PARLIAMENT MAKE LAWS? > p. 113
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution of India have the power to reject a ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Speaker's certification of a Money Bill
💡 The insight

References note the Speaker certifies a bill as a Money Bill and that this certification affects Rajya Sabha's consultative role.

Crucial for understanding legal/constitutional finality on bill classification — often appears in case-law or procedure-based questions. Study Article 110-related provisions, the Speaker's role, and implications for legislative disputes.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 12: The Union Legislature > p. 254
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Money Bill. > p. 247
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution of India have the power to reject a ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Rajya Sabha's restricted powers on Money Bills
💡 The insight

Multiple references assert Rajya Sabha cannot amend (or reject/initiate) Money Bills and is limited to recommendations.

High-yield constitutional fact often tested in UPSC polity questions about bicameral differences and financial control; connects to topics on parliamentary powers, confidence & budgetary control. Learn authoritative lines from the Constitution (Article 110 and procedure) and practice scenario questions distinguishing Money vs other Bills.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Money Bill. > p. 248
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > Special Powers of Rajya Sabha > p. 110
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution of India have the power to amend a M..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 14-day return rule & recommendatory role
💡 The insight

Sources state Rajya Sabha must return a Money Bill within 14 days and may only make recommendations, which Lok Sabha may accept or reject.

Procedural detail frequently used in application/MCQ and mains answers about legislative process; helps answer timing, deemed-passage, and conflict-resolution questions. Memorise timelines and the Lok Sabha's finality on acceptance to handle procedural scenario items.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Money Bill. > p. 248
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > HOW DOES THE PARLIAMENT MAKE LAWS? > p. 113
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Unequal Status with Lok Sabha > p. 260
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution of India have the power to amend a M..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Speaker's certification & Lok Sabha primacy on Money Bills
💡 The insight

Evidence notes Money Bills are certified (Article 110) by the Speaker and can be introduced only in Lok Sabha, underscoring Lok Sabha's primacy.

Critical for questions on legislative competence and constitutional safeguards; links to judicial review and controversies over classification. Study Article 110 provisions, Speaker's role, and case-law/instances where certification was contested.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 12: The Union Legislature > p. 254
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Unequal Status with Lok Sabha > p. 260
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution of India have the power to amend a M..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Exclusive voting on Demands for Grants by Lok Sabha
💡 The insight

Multiple references state that voting of demands for grants is the exclusive privilege of the Lok Sabha and that Rajya Sabha has no power to vote them.

High-yield for questions on parliamentary financial powers: connects directly to budgetary procedure, appropriation and control of public finances. Frequently tested in mains and prelims when asking about differences between the two Houses' powers. Prepare by memorising constitutional/procedural distinctions and practising application-based MCQs.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Stages in Enactment > p. 253
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Stages in Enactment > p. 253
🔗 Anchor: "Does the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution of India have the power to vote on t..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Guillotine' Procedure. Since RS cannot vote on Demands for Grants, the procedure of 'Guillotine' (grouping undiscussed demands for voting on the last day) is an exclusive practice of the Lok Sabha. A future question may ask if the Guillotine is applied in the Rajya Sabha.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Apply the 'Responsibility Principle'. The Govt is responsible ONLY to the Lok Sabha (Art 75). Financial power (stopping money) is the ultimate power to remove a Govt. Therefore, RS cannot have the power to VOTE or REJECT money, as that would imply a power to bring down the Govt. However, 'Discussion' does not threaten the Govt's survival, so Statement 3 (saying RS cannot discuss) defies the logic of a deliberative democracy.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-2 (Federalism vs Democracy): The weakness of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) in finance highlights that India prioritizes 'People's Representation' (Lok Sabha) over 'Federal Representation' (Rajya Sabha) in money matters, unlike the US Senate which has equal financial powers.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-I · 2012 · Q63 Relevance score: 7.59

With regard to the powers of the Rajya Sabha, which one among the following statements is not correct ?

IAS · 2023 · Q37 Relevance score: 6.44

With reference to Finance Bill and Money Bill in the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements : 1. When the Lok Sabha transmits Finance Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it can amend or reject the Bill. 2. When the Lok Sabha transmits Money Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it cannot amend or reject the Bill, it can only make recommendations. 3. In the case of disagreement between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, there is no joint sitting for Money Bill, but a joint sitting becomes necessary for Finance Bill. How many of the above statements are correct?

IAS · 2024 · Q68 Relevance score: 5.41

Which of the following statements are correct in respect of a Money Bill in the Parliament ? 1. Article 109 mentions special procedure in respect of Money Bills. 2. A Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Council of States. 3. The Rajya Sabha can either approve the Bill or suggest changes but cannot reject it. 4. Amendments to a Money Bill suggested by the Rajya Sabha have to be accepted by the Lok Sabha. Select the answer using the code given below :

CAPF · 2009 · Q68 Relevance score: 5.04

Which of the following statements is not correct ?

CDS-II · 2022 · Q120 Relevance score: 5.02

Which one of the following statements about Money Bill is not correct?