UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Both Houses of Parliament Adjourn Sine-Die

Q1. In the context of Article 85 of the Constitution, the term 'prorogation' of a House of Parliament is best defined as:

  • A. The termination of a session of the House by an order of the President, after which a Bill pending in the House does not lapse
  • B. The temporary suspension of a sitting by the presiding officer to a specified future date within the same session
  • C. The ending of the very life of the House, on which all business pending before it lapses
  • D. The act of the President calling the House to meet for a fresh session

Q2. With reference to the powers exercisable under Article 85 of the Constitution, consider the following statements: 1. The President summons each House of Parliament to meet. 2. The President may prorogue either House of Parliament. 3. The President may dissolve both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. 4. The Rajya Sabha, being a permanent House, is not subject to dissolution. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The President summons each House of Parliament to meet.
  2. The President may prorogue either House of Parliament.
  3. The President may dissolve both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
  4. The Rajya Sabha, being a permanent House, is not subject to dissolution.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q3. The adjournment sine die of both Houses closing the Budget Session 2026 was formally announced by which one of the following, which is also the nodal ministry for coordinating parliamentary business?

  • A. Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • C. Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice
  • D. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Q4. The power of the President to prorogue a House of Parliament, as distinguished from the presiding officer's power to adjourn it sine die, is derived from which one of the following?

  • A. Sub-clause (a) of clause (2) of Article 85
  • B. Clause (1) of Article 85
  • C. Clause (3) of Article 100
  • D. Article 87

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the effect of prorogation, adjournment sine die and dissolution on pending parliamentary business: 1. A Bill pending in Parliament does not lapse merely on the prorogation of the Houses. 2. On the adjournment sine die of a House, the business pending before it does not lapse. 3. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. 4. Pending notices, other than notices for leave to introduce a Bill, lapse on prorogation. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A Bill pending in Parliament does not lapse merely on the prorogation of the Houses.
  2. On the adjournment sine die of a House, the business pending before it does not lapse.
  3. A Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
  4. Pending notices, other than notices for leave to introduce a Bill, lapse on prorogation.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q6. Independent of prorogation or adjournment sine die, Article 85(1) fixes an outer limit on how long the Houses may remain out of session. The interval between the last sitting of one session and the first sitting of the next session shall not exceed:

  • A. Three months
  • B. Four months
  • C. Six months
  • D. One year

Q7. Consider the following statements comparing the constitutional requirement with the established practice regarding sessions of Parliament: 1. The Constitution requires that Parliament be summoned so that it meets at least twice a year. 2. The pattern of holding three sessions — Budget, Monsoon and Winter — every year is expressly prescribed by the Constitution. 3. The Monsoon Session is, by convention, held around July to August/September. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Constitution requires that Parliament be summoned so that it meets at least twice a year.
  2. The pattern of holding three sessions — Budget, Monsoon and Winter — every year is expressly prescribed by the Constitution.
  3. The Monsoon Session is, by convention, held around July to August/September.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. The dates on which the three sessions of Parliament are convened each year (on the basis of which the President summons the Houses) are decided by which one of the following?

  • A. Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs
  • B. Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha
  • C. General Purposes Committee
  • D. Committee on Government Assurances

Q9. With reference to the Budget Session 2026 of Parliament, consider the following statements: 1. The session commenced on 28 January 2026. 2. Both Houses were adjourned sine die on 18 April 2026. 3. The session had a total of 31 sittings. 4. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 relating to delimitation was passed by both Houses during the extended sittings. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The session commenced on 28 January 2026.
  2. Both Houses were adjourned sine die on 18 April 2026.
  3. The session had a total of 31 sittings.
  4. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 relating to delimitation was passed by both Houses during the extended sittings.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2 only

Q10. With reference to the Department-Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) that scrutinise Demands for Grants during the Budget Session recess, consider the following statements: 1. There are 24 Department-Related Standing Committees. 2. Of these, 8 are under the jurisdiction of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and 16 under the Speaker, Lok Sabha. 3. Each Committee examines the Demands for Grants of its allotted Ministries during the recess. 4. Each Committee consists of 21 members from the Rajya Sabha and 10 members from the Lok Sabha. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. There are 24 Department-Related Standing Committees.
  2. Of these, 8 are under the jurisdiction of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and 16 under the Speaker, Lok Sabha.
  3. Each Committee examines the Demands for Grants of its allotted Ministries during the recess.
  4. Each Committee consists of 21 members from the Rajya Sabha and 10 members from the Lok Sabha.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q11. The delimitation-related Bills for which the Budget Session 2026 was extended proposed changes to the existing constitutional position. Consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution currently caps the strength of the Lok Sabha at 550 members, and the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 sought to raise this ceiling to 850. 2. Allocation of Lok Sabha seats to States is currently frozen on the basis of the 1971 census, and the Bills sought to base the next delimitation on the 2011 census. 3. The three delimitation-related Bills were introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 16 April 2026. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Constitution currently caps the strength of the Lok Sabha at 550 members, and the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 sought to raise this ceiling to 850.
  2. Allocation of Lok Sabha seats to States is currently frozen on the basis of the 1971 census, and the Bills sought to base the next delimitation on the 2011 census.
  3. The three delimitation-related Bills were introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 16 April 2026.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. Under Article 100 of the Constitution, the 'quorum' that must be present to constitute a sitting of either House of Parliament means:

  • A. One-tenth of the total number of members of that House
  • B. One-third of the total number of members of that House
  • C. A simple majority of the total number of members of that House
  • D. One-fourth of the members present and voting in that House