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Q85 (IAS/2022) Polity & Governance › Parliament › Powers of houses Official Key

Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha? 1. To ratify the declaration of Emergency 2. To pass a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers 3. To impeach the President of India Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 2 (2 only) because the power to pass a No-Confidence Motion is an exclusive privilege of the Lok Sabha.

  • Statement 2 is correct: According to Article 75 of the Constitution, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Therefore, a No-Confidence Motion can only be introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha to remove the government. The Rajya Sabha has no power in this regard.
  • Statement 1 is incorrect: A proclamation of Emergency (under Articles 352, 356, or 360) must be ratified by both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) within a specified period. It is not an exclusive power of the Lok Sabha.
  • Statement 3 is incorrect: Under Article 61, the process to impeach the President can be initiated in either House of Parliament. Both Houses must pass the resolution by a two-thirds majority of the total membership; thus, it is a shared power.
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
53%
got it right
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha? 1. To ratify the declaration of Emergency 2. To pass a motion of no-c…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 3.3/10 · 3.3/10

This is a fundamental 'Sitter' from static Polity. Despite the skeleton flagging some parts as indirect, standard texts like Laxmikanth explicitly list 'Equal Status' and 'Unequal Status' of the two Houses. If you miss this, you aren't failing on trivia; you are failing on core constitutional architecture.

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
Is ratifying the declaration of Emergency an exclusive power of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) in India?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"To ratify the declaration of Emergency: The Lok Sabha does not have the exclusive power to ratify the declaration of Emergency."
Why this source?
  • The passage explicitly addresses the specific power in question (ratifying a declaration of Emergency).
  • It states directly that the Lok Sabha does not have the exclusive power to ratify the declaration of Emergency, which answers the statement.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 17: Emergency Provisions > Parliamentary Approval and Duration > p. 183
Strength: 5/5
“A proclamation declaring financial emergency must be approved by both the Houses of Parliament within two months from the date of its issue. However. if the proclamation of Financial Emergency is issued at a time when the Lok Sabha has been dissolved or the dissolution of the 10k Sabha takes place during the period of two months without approving the proclamation, then the proclamation survives until 30 days from the first sitting of the 10k Sabha after its reconstitution, provided the Rajya Sabha has in the meantime approved it. Once approved by both the Houses of Parliament, the Financial Emergency continues indefinitely till it is revoked.”
Why relevant

States that a proclamation declaring a financial emergency must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within two months.

How to extend

A student could generalise that at least for financial emergency parliamentary approval is bicameral and then check whether other types of emergency follow the same bicameral approval rule.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 17: Emergency Provisions > Parliamentary Approval and Duration > p. 183
Strength: 4/5
“A proclamation declaring financial emergency must be approved by both the Houses of Parliament within two months from the date of its issue. However. if the proclamation of Financial Emergency is issued at a time when the Lok Sabha has been dissolved or the dissolution of the 10k Sabha takes place during the period of two months without approving the proclamation, then the proclamation survives until 30 days from the first sitting of the 10k Sabha after its reconstitution, provided the Rajya Sabha has in the meantime approved it. Once approved by both the Houses of Parliament, the Financial Emergency continues indefinitely till it is revoked.”
Why relevant

Repeats the rule that financial emergency requires approval by both Houses, reinforcing that ratification is not solely by Lok Sabha for this emergency type.

How to extend

Use this repetition to infer a pattern that 'approval of emergency proclamations' may routinely involve both Houses, prompting verification for national and state emergencies.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 17: Emergency Provisions > Revocation of Proclamation > p. 175
Strength: 4/5
“A proclamation of emergency may be revoked by the President at any time by a subsequent proclamation. Such a proclamation does not require parliamentary approval. Further, the President must revoke a proclamation if the Lok Sabha passes a resolution disapproving its continuation. Again , this safeguard was introduced by the 44th Amendment Act of 1978. Before the amendment, a proclamation could be revoked by the President on his/rown and the Lok Sabha had no control in this regard.”
Why relevant

Says the President must revoke a proclamation if the Lok Sabha passes a resolution disapproving its continuation, showing the Lok Sabha alone can force revocation (post‑proclamation).

How to extend

A student could contrast this single‑house power to revoke continuation with the earlier bicameral approval requirement to judge whether Lok Sabha has exclusive initial ratification power.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 92: World Constitutions > 2022 TEST PAPER > p. 763
Strength: 3/5
“• 5. Which of the following is/ are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha? • 1. To ratify the declaration of Emergency• 2. To pass a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers 3. 1b impeach the President of India Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) I and 2 (b) 2 only (c) (e) I and 3 (d) 3 only 6. With reference to a nti·defection law in India, consider the following statements: 1. The law specifies that a nominated legislator cannot join any political party within six months of being appointed to the House.”
Why relevant

Contains a test question listing 'To ratify the declaration of Emergency' as a purported exclusive power of the Lok Sabha, indicating this is a disputed/controversial claim commonly examined.

How to extend

Treat this as a pointer to a common misconception; a student should compare the claim with the constitutional approval rules cited elsewhere (e.g., both Houses requirement for financial emergency).

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 17: Emergency Provisions > Effects of National Emergency > p. 176
Strength: 3/5
“This means that the President can either reduce or cancel the transfer of finances from Centre to the states. Such modification continues till the end of the financial year in which the Emergency ceases to operate Effect on the Life of the Lok Sabha and State Assembly While a proclamation of National Emergency is in operation, the life of the Lok Sabha may be extended beyond its normal term (five years) by a law of Parliament for one year at a time (for any length of time). However, this extension cannot continue beyond a period of six months after the emergency has ceased to operate.”
Why relevant

Notes effects of national emergency on the Lok Sabha (extension of its life by a law of Parliament), showing Parliament as a whole acts during emergencies.

How to extend

A student can infer that emergency-related actions often involve 'Parliament' (both Houses + President) and so should check whether ratification is a unicameral or bicameral parliamentary act.

Statement 2
Is passing a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers an exclusive power of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) in India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > ons > p. 242
Presence: 5/5
“It should not raise any question that can be raised on a distinct motion. No-Confidence Motion Article 75 of the Constitution says that the council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. It means that the ministry stays in office so long as it enjoys confidence of the majority of the members of the Lok Sabha. In other words, the Lok Sabha can remove the ministry from office by passing a no-confidence motion . The motion needs the support of 50 members to be admitted. Confidence Motion The motion of confidence has come up as a new procedure device to cope with the emerging situations of fractured mandates resulting in hung parliament, minority governments and coalition governments.”
Why this source?
  • Directly states Article 75 makes the Council of Ministers collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
  • Explicitly says the Lok Sabha can remove the ministry by passing a no-confidence motion.
  • Notes procedural detail that the motion needs support of 50 members to be admitted, tying the remedy to Lok Sabha practice.
Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: WORKING OF INSTITUTIONS > Two Houses of Parliament > p. 63
Presence: 5/5
“3 Most importantly, the Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers. Only a person who enjoys the support of the majority of the members in the Lok Sabha is appointed the Prime Minister. If the majority of the Lok Sabha members say they have 'no confidence' in the Council of Ministers, all ministers including the Prime Minister, have to quit. The Rajya Sabha does not have this power.”
Why this source?
  • Clearly affirms that only Lok Sabha controls the Council of Ministers through confidence; ministers must quit if Lok Sabha expresses no confidence.
  • Explicitly states the Rajya Sabha does not have this power, confirming exclusivity.
Statement 3
Is impeaching the President of India an exclusive power of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) in India?
Origin: Weak / unclear Fairness: Borderline / guessy
Indirect textbook clues
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Equal Status with Lok Sabha > p. 259
Strength: 5/5
“In the following matters, the powers and status of the Rajya Sabha are equal to that of the Lok Sabha: • 1. Introduction and passage of ordinary bills. • 2. Introduction and passage of Constitutional amendment bills. • 3. Introduction and passage of financial bills involving expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India. • 4. Election and impeachment of the President. • 5. Election and removal of the Vice-President. However, Rajya Sabha alone can initiate the removal of the vice-President. She is removed-by a resolution.”
Why relevant

Lists 'Election and impeachment of the President' among matters where Rajya Sabha's powers are equal to Lok Sabha.

How to extend

A student could combine this with the constitutional idea of 'equal powers' to infer impeachment is a joint (not exclusive Lok Sabha) power and check procedure provisions.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Equal Status with Lok Sabha > p. 259
Strength: 5/5
“In the following matters, the powers and status of the Rajya Sabha are equal to that of the Lok Sabha: • 1. Introduction and passage of ordinary bills. • 2. Introduction and passage of Constitutional amendment bills. • 3. Introduction and passage of financial bills involving expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India. • 4. Election and impeachment of the President. • 5. Election and removal of the Vice-President. However, Rajya Sabha alone can initiate the removal of the vice-President. She is removed-by a resolution.”
Why relevant

Repeats the same list showing 'Election and impeachment of the President' as a co‑equal matter for both Houses.

How to extend

Use this repeated statement as corroboration and then consult the constitutional articles or procedure to see whether initiation/decision requires both Houses.

Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > Special Powers of Rajya Sabha > p. 110
Strength: 5/5
“In all other spheres, including passing of non-money bills, constitutional amendments, and impeaching the President and removing the Vice President the powers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are co-equal.”
Why relevant

Explicitly states that 'impeaching the President' is among spheres where Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are co-equal.

How to extend

A student could therefore rule out exclusivity to Lok Sabha and look up the exact impeachment quorum/signature rules to confirm shared role.

Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 22: THE SUPREME COURT > THE SUPREME COURT > p. 342
Strength: 5/5
“This is commonly known. as impeachment - (1 ) A motion addressed to the President signed by at least 100 members of the Lok Sabha or 50 members of the Rajya Sabha is delivered to the Speaker or the Chairman. (2) The motion is to be investigated by a Committee of three (two Judges of the Supreme Court and a distinguished jurist.)”
Why relevant

Gives a procedural example: a motion for impeachment may be signed by at least 100 Lok Sabha members or 50 Rajya Sabha members, indicating both Houses can initiate.

How to extend

Combine this concrete initiation threshold with the co‑equal statements to deduce impeachment is not exclusive to the Lok Sabha and then verify the further stages (investigation/trial) in the Constitution.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Special Powers of Ra;ya Sabha > p. 260
Strength: 4/5
“The Rajya Sabha has been given four exclusive or special powers that are not enjoyed by the Lok Sabha: | 1. It can authorise the Parliament to make a law on a subject enumerated in the State List (Article 249). | 2. It can authorize the Parliament to create new All-India Services common to both the Centre and states (Article 312). | 3. It alone can initiate a move for the removal of the Vice-President. In other words, a resolution for the removal can be introduced only in the Rajya Sabha and not in the Lok Sabha (Article 67).”
Why relevant

Lists specific exclusive powers of Rajya Sabha and does not include impeachment among them, implying impeachment is not a Rajya Sabha-only power and suggesting it may be shared.

How to extend

A student can use this exclusion (plus other snippets showing co‑equality) to infer impeachment is not exclusively vested in either House and check constitutional text for confirmation.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC consistently tests the 'Boundaries of Power'. They will take a shared power (like Impeachment or Emergency approval) and frame it as 'Exclusive' to test if you understand the federal vs. democratic logic of the Constitution.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly solvable from Laxmikanth Chapter 22/23 (Parliament) under the specific headers 'Equal Status with Lok Sabha' and 'Special Powers of Rajya Sabha'.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Bicameralism. Specifically, the functional distinction between the 'House of the People' (Accountability) and the 'Council of States' (Federal Check).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Power Matrix': 1. **RS Exclusive**: Art 249 (State List laws), Art 312 (New All-India Services), Initiating VP removal. 2. **LS Exclusive**: Money Bills, Vote on Demands for Grants, No-Confidence Motion. 3. **Emergency Nuance**: Approval = Both Houses; Revocation = President OR Lok Sabha resolution (44th Amd).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not read powers linearly. Create a 3-column comparison table: [LS Exclusive] | [RS Exclusive] | [Co-Equal]. Every time you see a procedure (Impeachment, Emergency, Bills), categorize it immediately into one of these columns.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Parliamentary approval for Financial Emergency
💡 The insight

Ratification of a financial emergency requires approval by both Houses of Parliament, not by a single House.

High-yield for constitutional law questions about emergency provisions: distinguishes Financial Emergency procedure from other executive acts and clarifies bicameral parliamentary roles. Useful for questions comparing types of emergencies and legislative checks on the President.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 17: Emergency Provisions > Parliamentary Approval and Duration > p. 183
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 17: Emergency Provisions > Parliamentary Approval and Duration > p. 183
🔗 Anchor: "Is ratifying the declaration of Emergency an exclusive power of the Lok Sabha (H..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Lok Sabha's check via disapproval of continuation
💡 The insight

Lok Sabha can force the President to revoke a proclamation by passing a resolution disapproving its continuation.

Important for understanding checks and balances: demonstrates a concrete power of Lok Sabha over continuance of emergencies and is often tested in questions on safeguards introduced by constitutional amendments.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 17: Emergency Provisions > Revocation of Proclamation > p. 175
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 17: Emergency Provisions > Revocation of Proclamation > p. 175
🔗 Anchor: "Is ratifying the declaration of Emergency an exclusive power of the Lok Sabha (H..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Constitutional composition of Parliament
💡 The insight

Parliament comprises the President, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, so powers requiring parliamentary approval typically involve both Houses.

Fundamental for answering a wide range of UPSC questions on legislative procedure and inter-house roles; helps eliminate answers that attribute collective parliamentary powers exclusively to one House.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > ORGANISATION OF PARLIAMENT > p. 222
🔗 Anchor: "Is ratifying the declaration of Emergency an exclusive power of the Lok Sabha (H..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha
💡 The insight

The Council of Ministers remains in office only as long as it enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha.

High-yield for polity questions on executive-legislature relations; explains why motions of confidence/no-confidence are central to government stability and connects to formation and fall of governments, coalition dynamics, and Article 75. Mastery helps answer questions on parliamentary accountability and comparative procedures.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > ons > p. 242
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > ons > p. 242
🔗 Anchor: "Is passing a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers an exclusi..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Admissibility threshold for No-Confidence Motion
💡 The insight

A no-confidence motion requires initial support (50 members) to be admitted in the Lok Sabha, affecting its practical use.

Important procedural detail for UPSC mains/interview: distinguishes admissibility from passage, informs strategy of opposition and government, and links to topics on parliamentary procedure and anti-defection dynamics.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > ons > p. 242
🔗 Anchor: "Is passing a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers an exclusi..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Lok Sabha exclusivity versus Rajya Sabha in removing the government
💡 The insight

Only the Lok Sabha can express no confidence leading to resignation of the Council of Ministers; Rajya Sabha lacks this power.

Crucial for questions on bicameralism and differential powers of Houses; helps eliminate incorrect options in MCQs and frames essays on centre’s accountability mechanisms and inter-house checks.

📚 Reading List :
  • Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: WORKING OF INSTITUTIONS > Two Houses of Parliament > p. 63
🔗 Anchor: "Is passing a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers an exclusi..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Impeachment procedure and initiation by both Houses
💡 The insight

Impeachment motions can be originated and signed by members of either House; both Houses participate in the process.

High-yield for questions on constitutional removal mechanisms and parliamentary procedure; clarifies who may initiate and investigate presidential impeachment and prevents misclassification of this power as exclusive to one House. Useful for comparatives between removal procedures for President and Vice‑President.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 22: THE SUPREME COURT > THE SUPREME COURT > p. 342
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Equal Status with Lok Sabha > p. 259
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: LEGISLATURE > Special Powers of Rajya Sabha > p. 110
🔗 Anchor: "Is impeaching the President of India an exclusive power of the Lok Sabha (House ..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Revocation' Trap: While the Lok Sabha does NOT have exclusive power to *ratify* an Emergency (Statement 1), it DOES have the power to force the *revocation* (discontinuance) of a National Emergency via a simple resolution (Article 352, added by 44th Amendment). The President *must* revoke it if LS passes this.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Apply 'Federal Logic':
1. Emergency suspends State powers. Rajya Sabha is the 'Council of States'. Thus, RS *must* have a say in Emergency to protect states. (Eliminates 1).
2. President is the Head of the State (Union + States). RS represents the federal character. Thus, RS *must* participate in Impeachment. (Eliminates 3).
Result: Only 2 remains.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-2 (Parliamentary System): The exclusive power of LS to pass a No-Confidence Motion (Statement 2) is the bedrock of 'Collective Responsibility'. Use this to argue why a PM from Rajya Sabha (like Manmohan Singh) is constitutionally valid but creates a 'Legitimacy Deficit' regarding direct accountability.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2006 · Q48 Relevance score: 1.64

Consider the following statements: I. The Rajya Sabha alone has the power to declare that it would be in national interest for the Parliament to legislature with respect to a matter in the State List. II. Resolutions approving the Proclamation of Emergency are passed only by the Lok Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NDA-I · 2010 · Q28 Relevance score: 0.75

Which of the following statements is/are not violative of the principle of federalism? 1. The President of India takes over administration of provinces under the emergency provisions. 2. The Parliament of India has exclusive power to make any law with respect to any matter not enumerated in the Concurrent List or State List. 3. The distributi on of powers between the Union and Provinces in done through three different lists enumerated in the constitution of India. Select the correct answer using the code given below : Code :

CDS-I · 2016 · Q73 Relevance score: 0.40

Which of the following statements relating to the office of the President of India are correct ? 1. The President has the power to grant pardon to a criminal in special cases 2. The President can promulgate ordinances even when the Parliament is in session 3. The President can dissolve the Rajya Sabha during emergency 4. The President has the power to nominate two members in the Lok Sabha from the Anglo Indian community Select the correct answer using the code given below :

CDS-I · 2006 · Q33 Relevance score: -1.18

Consider the following statements 1. The President of India cannot return the Money Bi l l to the Lok Sabha for reconsideration . 2. During the period of National Emergency, the Pr esident of India can make ordinances even when Parliament is in session. Which of the statements given above is/ are correct ?

CDS-I · 2014 · Q61 Relevance score: -1.89

Which of the following statements are correct regarding Joint Session of the Houses of the Parliament in India? 1. It is an enabling provision, empowering the President to take steps for resolving deadlock between the two Houses. 2. It is not obligatory upon the President to summon the Houses to meet in a joint sitting. 3. It is being notified by the President. 4. It is frequently resorted to establish the supremacy of the Lok Sabha. Select the correct answer using the code given below.