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:
Contents15
- A1 and 2
- B2 only
- C1 and 3
- D3 only
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 only
The answer is (B) Only no-confidence motion is exclusive to Lok Sabha.
Option 1 is NOT exclusive:
Emergency must be approved by BOTH Houses (Lok Sabha AND Rajya Sabha).
Not exclusive to Lok Sabha.
Option 2 IS exclusive:
A no-confidence motion can ONLY be moved in Lok Sabha.
The government is responsible only to Lok Sabha.
Only Lok Sabha can remove the government.
This is truly exclusive.
Option 3 is NOT exclusive:
Impeachment of the President can be started by EITHER House.
Not exclusive to Lok Sabha.
Key point:
Lok Sabha's unique power is over the government's survival — only it can bring down the government through no-confidence.
No-confidence motions can only be moved in Lok Sabha because the Council of Ministers is responsible solely to the directly elected house, not to Rajya Sabha.
Emergency ratification and presidential impeachment require both houses equally - these are not exclusive powers of either chamber.
Lok Sabha Exclusive Powers
Indian Polity exclusive power Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha Exclusive Powers: What Only the Lower House Can Do
No-confidence motion is the ONLY truly exclusive power of Lok Sabha
Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha
Council of Ministers is responsible only to Lok Sabha, not Rajya Sabha
Emergency ratification and Presidential impeachment require both Houses
Lok Sabha has very few truly exclusive powers in the Indian parliamentary system. Most legislative functions require both Houses, making this a frequent UPSC trap topic.
Powers: Exclusive vs Joint
Power/Function | Lok Sabha Role | Rajya Sabha Role | Exclusive? |
|---|---|---|---|
No-confidence motion | Can move and pass | Cannot participate | ✓ YES |
Money Bills | Introduce and pass | Can only suggest amendments | ✓ YES |
Emergency ratification | Must approve | Must also approve | ✗ NO |
Presidential impeachment | Can initiate | Can also initiate | ✗ NO |
Constitutional amendments | Must pass | Must also pass | ✗ NO |
Why No-Confidence is Exclusive
Government formation: Prime Minister is chosen from the party/coalition with Lok Sabha majority
Collective responsibility: Council of Ministers is responsible only to Lok Sabha under Article 75(3)
Democratic principle: Directly elected house controls the executive, not the indirectly elected Rajya Sabha
Question Analysis
This question tested whether students know that Emergency ratification and Presidential impeachment are joint powers, not Lok Sabha exclusives. Only the no-confidence motion is truly exclusive.
Trap: Emergency ratification seems like Lok Sabha exclusive but requires both Houses under Article 352
Trap: Presidential impeachment can be initiated by either House - not Lok Sabha exclusive
Confusion: Students mix up 'Lok Sabha decides government survival' with 'all executive powers are Lok Sabha exclusive'
Memory aid: Only 2 powers are truly Lok Sabha exclusive - No-confidence and Money Bills
Emergency Ratification Process
Indian Polity ratify declaration of Emergency
Emergency Ratification: Both Houses Must Approve
Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must ratify Emergency declaration
Emergency lapses after 2 months without parliamentary approval
Special majority required - more than 50% of total membership
Emergency Declaration Process
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**President declares Emergency**
On advice of Council of Ministers (Article 352)`"]
s2["`**Proclamation laid before Parliament**
Must be placed within 2 months`"]
s3["`**Both Houses vote separately**
Lok Sabha AND Rajya Sabha must approve`"]
s4["`**Special majority required**
More than 50% of total membership + majority of present`"]
s5["`**Emergency continues**
Valid for 6 months, renewable`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Why Both Houses Matter
Constitutional balance: Prevents executive from bypassing federal representation (Rajya Sabha)
Article 352(4): Explicitly requires approval by 'each House of Parliament'
Revocation power: Either House can revoke Emergency by simple majority
No-Confidence Motion Mechanism
Indian Polity motion of no-confidence Council of Ministers
No-Confidence Motion: Lok Sabha's Ultimate Weapon
Only Lok Sabha can move no-confidence against Council of Ministers
Requires 50 members to support the motion for admission
If passed, entire Council of Ministers must resign including PM
No-Confidence Motion Rules
Aspect | Requirement | Constitutional Basis |
|---|---|---|
Who can move | Any Lok Sabha member | Rule 198 of Lok Sabha Rules |
Support needed | 50 members to admit | Speaker's discretion after headcount |
Voting | Simple majority | More than 50% of members present |
Consequence | Government must resign | Article 75(3) - collective responsibility |
Rajya Sabha role | None - cannot participate | Government not responsible to Upper House |
Recent Examples & Significance
Last successful motion: 1999 against Vajpayee government (lost by 1 vote)
2018 attempt: Opposition moved against Modi government but failed
Strategic use: Often moved to force debate on government policies, not expecting to win
Presidential Impeachment Process
Indian Polity impeach the President
Presidential Impeachment: Either House Can Start, Both Must Agree
Either House can initiate impeachment charges against President
Both Houses must pass charges with special majority
Ground: violation of Constitution only
Impeachment Process Steps
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Charges moved in either House**
Lok Sabha OR Rajya Sabha can initiate (Article 61)`"]
s2["`**Special majority passes charges**
2/3rd of present + majority of total strength`"]
s3["`**Charges sent to other House**
Second House investigates like a court`"]
s4["`**Other House votes**
Same special majority required to convict`"]
s5["`**President removed**
If both Houses agree with special majority`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Trap: 'Either House can initiate' ≠ 'Lok Sabha exclusive' - this is a joint power
Confusion: Students assume lower house has more power in impeachment like in no-confidence
Memory: No President has ever been impeached in India's history
Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha Powers
Indian Polity
Bicameralism in India: When Each House Acts Alone vs Together
Most powers are joint between both Houses
Very few powers are exclusive to either House
Lok Sabha dominance only in money matters and government confidence
Power Distribution
# Parliamentary Powers
## Lok Sabha Exclusive
- No-confidence motion
- Money Bill introduction
- Government formation
## Rajya Sabha Exclusive
- Article 249 - State List laws
- Article 312 - All India Services
- Removal of VP (as Chairman)
## Joint Powers
- Constitutional amendments
- Emergency ratification
- Presidential impeachment
- Ordinary legislation
- Union Budget approvalKey Distinctions
Aspect | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
Representation | People (direct) | States (indirect) | Federal vs Democratic principle |
Term | 5 years (dissoluble) | 6 years (permanent) | Continuity vs Accountability |
Size | Maximum 552 | Maximum 250 | Population vs Equal state representation |
Government control | Full control | No control | Westminster model feature |