Key Takeaways:
In a Parliamentary democracy, the government is answerable to Parliament for its actions and members have several parliamentary tools to scrutinise the work of the government. Some key instruments that MPs can undertake on the floor of the House are given below.
#1 Question Hour: MPs can hold the government accountable by asking questions in their individual capacity. Lok Sabha usually begins the day’s proceedings with Question Hour. It is during this one hour that Members of Parliament ask questions of ministers and hold them accountable for the functioning of their ministries.
— During this Hour, a Member can ask a Minister any question related to the implementation of laws and policies under the purview of their Ministry. There are three different types of questions: Starred, Unstarred, and Short Notice Questions.
(i) Starred Question (Rule 33): These questions receive an oral response by the Minister-in-charge. MPs can also ask follow-up questions, called supplementary questions.
Story continues below this ad
(ii) Unstarred Question (Rule 33): These receive a written reply from the Ministry. The notice format to file Starred and Unstarred Questions is the same, Starred Questions are distinguished by an asterisk.
(iii) Short Notice Questions (Rule 54) : These questions allow MPs to question the government over matters of urgent public importance for which the prescribed notice period of 15 days may be too long. Like Starred Questions, Short Notice Questions are answered orally followed by supplementary questions.
| Do you Know? |
| Proceedings in the House are guided by its Rules of Procedure. These Rules require that Members give prior intimation to the Secretariat/Speaker for asking questions, raising issues, and initiating or participating in debates. This is called “giving notice”. Each intervention has a different notice period. This intimation can be submitted manually, or digitally using the member’s e-portal. |
#2 Zero Hour: The hour immediately following Question Hour is popularly known as Zero Hour. While Question Hour is strictly regulated, Zero Hour is an Indian parliamentary innovation. The phrase does not find mention in the rules of procedure.
— The concept of Zero Hour started organically in the first decade of Indian Parliament, when MPs felt the need for raising important constituency and national issues. This period is usually used to raise matters that are urgent and cannot wait for the notice period required under other procedures.
Story continues below this ad
— Submissions made during this hour are not specifically listed under a rule, but appear in the proceedings as Matters of Urgent Public Importance.
#3 Half-an-Hour Discussion: If an MP feels that an answer to a Starred or Unstarred Question needs further explanation, they can raise a Half-an-Hour Discussion. Under this device, an MP is allowed to make a short statement on the floor of the House.
| Business Advisory Committee (BAC) |
| The House Business Advisory Committee recommends the time to be allocated for business in the House. This Committee has Members from the ruling and opposition parties. |
#4 Calling Attention Motion (Rule 197): Any MP can call the attention of a Minister to a matter of urgent public importance, to which the Minister gives a response. MPs can ask clarifying questions after the Minister’s response, which the Minister must answer.
#5 Short Duration Discussion (Rule 193): An MP can raise a discussion on a matter of urgent public importance under rule 193. The topic and the duration is decided by the BAC.
Story continues below this ad
#6 Matters under Rule 377: Matters which cannot be raised under Rules relating to Questions, Short Notice Questions, Calling Attention, etc., can be raised under Rule 377.
#7 Adjournment Motion: Adjournment Motion is the procedure for adjournment of the business of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, which can be moved with the consent of the Speaker.
— The Adjournment Motion, if admitted, leads to setting aside the normal business of the House for discussing the matter mentioned in the motion.
#8 No-confidence Motion: Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha lays down the procedure for moving a Motion of No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers. The usual format of such a motion is that “this House expresses its want of confidence in the Council of Ministers”.
Story continues below this ad
— A Motion of No-confidence need not set out any grounds on which it is based. Even when grounds are mentioned in the notice and read out in the House, they do not form part of the No-confidence Motion.
| Censure Motion |
| A censure motion is moved to express strong disapproval of the Government’s policies in a particular area, or of the conduct of an individual minister or group of ministers. |
#9 Point of Order: It relates to the interpretation or enforcement of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the House or convention or such Articles of the Constitution as regulate the business of the House and raises a question which is within the cognizance of the Speaker.
— A Member may formulate a Point of Order and the Speaker shall decide whether the point raised is a Point of Order and if so give the decision thereon, which is final.
#10 Privilege Motion: Parliamentary privileges are certain rights and immunities enjoyed by members of Parliament, individually and collectively, so that they can “effectively discharge their functions”. When any of these rights and immunities are disregarded, the offence is called a breach of privilege and is punishable under law of Parliament. A notice is moved in the form of a motion by any member of either House against those being held guilty of breach of privilege.
Story continues below this ad
— Each House also claims the right to punish as contempt actions which, while not breach of any specific privilege, are offences against its authority and dignity.
BEYOND THE NUGGET: Why is this winter session important?
1. The government is set for a strong legislative push, listing 14 Bills for introduction or consideration. Key among them are the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, allowing private participation in the nuclear sector, and the Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2025, aimed at overhauling regulation in higher education.
2. Other major Bills include amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, Jan Vishwas Act, National Highways Act, and GST law in Manipur. The session is scheduled to end on December 19 after 15 sittings.
Post Read Question
The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of Ministers through ( UPSC CSE 2017)
1. Adjournment motion
2. Question hour
3. Supplementary questions
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Story continues below this ad
(Sources: PM Modi’s message for Oppn ahead of Parliament session, What are Question Hour and Zero Hour, and why do they matter?, sansad.in)
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS
Macaulay and his ‘Minute on Indian Education’
Indo-Tibetan Border Police
Who are BLOs
Basic Structure Doctrine
Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for November 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨
