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UPSC Prelims 2022 · Polity · Parliament, Bills & Budget
Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha?
- To ratify the declaration of Emergency.
- To pass a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers.
- To impeach the President of India.
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (b) 2 only
Only the no-confidence motion belongs to the Lok Sabha alone.
Statement by statement
1. ✗ NOT EXCLUSIVE A National Emergency must be approved by both Houses within one month (Art. 352(4)). Only revocation can be forced by the Lok Sabha alone (44th Amendment).
2. ✓ EXCLUSIVE The Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (Art. 75(3)), so a no-confidence motion lies only there.
3. ✗ NOT EXCLUSIVE Impeachment (Art. 61) needs both Houses: either House may start it, the other investigates, and each must pass it by two-thirds of its total membership.
The idea
Lok Sabha alone: no-confidence motion, Money Bills (introduced only there; final say), voting Demands for Grants, a resolution disapproving the continuation of an Emergency. Rajya Sabha alone: Art. 249 (State List subject in national interest), Art. 312 (new All India Service), and starting the removal of the Vice-President.
Why the others are wrong
(a) Emergency approval needs both Houses.
(c) Neither Emergency approval nor impeachment is a one-House act.
(d) Impeachment needs both Houses, and it can even begin in the Rajya Sabha.
The trap
Emergency and impeachment are “big” powers, so they feel like the directly elected House’s job. Both need both Houses.
🔒 LS only: no-confidence · money bills · demands for grants · disapprove Emergency. RS only: Art. 249 · Art. 312 · VP removal starts there.
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