Parliamentary Accountability and Misinformation
Indian Polity & Governance
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
UPSC examines the functioning of democratic institutions, the challenges posed by misinformation in the digital age, and the mechanisms for ensuring accountability and transparency in governance.
The Indian parliamentary system, a cornerstone of its democracy, relies on the accurate dissemination of information and the accountability of its elected representatives. Misrepresentation of parliamentary addresses undermines public trust and the integrity of democratic discourse.
Facts & tables
- Importance of Context
- Statements made in Parliament must be understood in their full context to avoid misrepresentation.
- Role of Social Media
- Social media platforms can amplify false narratives, necessitating official clarifications.
- Government's Responsibility
- The government has a duty to correct factual inaccuracies regarding official statements.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Indian Polity & Governance |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Parliament of India | Forum for legislative debate and accountability, whose proceedings must be accurately reported. |
| Ministry of Defence | Issues clarifications on statements made by its minister in parliament. |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- Parliamentary privilege protects statements made in the House.
- Misinformation can erode public trust in institutions.
- Government clarifications are vital for factual accuracy.
- Context is crucial for interpreting official statements.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2024 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2015 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2013 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
Timeline
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Indian Polity & Governance
Conceptual area
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Prelims 2013
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
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Prelims 2015
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
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Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
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Prelims 2024
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions
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Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Statement on misrepresentation of Raksha Mantri’s Parliamentary address of July 28, 2025
This concept highlights the critical need for accurate reporting of parliamentary proceedings and the government's role in countering misinformation to maintain the sanctity of democratic institutions.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2013–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
Statement on misrepresentation of Raksha Mantri’s Parliamentary address of July 28, 2025
This concept highlights the critical need for accurate reporting of parliamentary proceedings and the government's role in countering misinformation to maintain the sanctity of democratic institutions.
Try these PYQs
With reference to the Union Government consider the following statements.
1. The Department of Revenue is responsible for the preparation of Union Budget that is presented to the parliament
2. No amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without the authorization of Parliament of India.
3. All the disbursements made from Public Account also need Authorization from the Parliament of India.
Which of the following statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: Department of Economic Affairs prepares the Budget. Statement 2 is correct: As per Article 114 of the Constitution, the government can withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund only after receiving approval from Parliament. Statement 3 is incorrect: Public Accounts include provident fund deposits, judicial deposits, savings bank deposits, departmental deposits, remittances and so on. This account is operated by executive action, that is, the payments from this account can be made without parliamentary appropriation. Such payments are mostly like banking transactions. So, only the second statement is correct.
With reference to Union Budget, consider the following statements :
1. The Union Finance Minister on behalf of the Prime Minister lays the Annual Financial Statement before both the Houses of Parliament.
2. At the Union level, no demand for a grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* Statement 1 is incorrect: While the Union Finance Minister does present the Annual Financial Statement in Parliament, it is not done 'on behalf of the Prime Minister', but the President of India. As Article 112 reads The President shall in respect of every financial year cause to be laid before both the Houses of Parliament a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for that year, in this Part, referred to as the annual financial statement. * Statement 2 is correct: At the Union level, no demand for a grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President of India, as per Article 113 of the Constitution. _Note: Though, UPSC has officially given 'C' as the correct answer but according to us correct answer should be 'B'._
Consider the following statements in respect of questions asked by the Members in the Parliament of India :
1. Unstarred questions are those to which a Member desires an oral answer in the House.
2. Starred questions are those to which a Member desires a written answer.
3. No supplementary question can be asked on an unstarred question.
Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct ?
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Unstarred questions are those to which a Member desires a written answer, not an oral answer. The written reply is deemed to be laid on the Table of the House by the concerned Minister. Statement 2 is Incorrect: Starred questions (distinguished by an asterisk mark) are those to which a Member desires an oral answer on the floor of the House, not a written answer. Statement 3 is Correct: Because the answer to an unstarred question is provided in writing rather than debated orally, no supplementary (follow-up) questions can be asked on it. Supplementary questions can only be asked following the oral reply to a starred question or a short notice question. Therefore, there is only one correct statement.
Consider the following statements: Attorney General of India can
1. take part in the proceedings of the Lok Sabha
2. be a member of a committee of the Lok Sabha
3. speak in the Lok Sabha
4. vote in the Lok Sabha
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
According to Article 88 of the Constitution every Minister and the Attorney-General of India shall have the right to speak in, and otherwise to take part in the proceedings of either House, any joint sitting of the Houses, and any committee of Parliament of which he may be named a member, but shall not by virtue of this article be entitled to vote.
With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements :
1. Prorogation of a House by the President of India does not require the advice of the Council of Ministers.
2. Prorogation of a House is generally done after the House is adjourned sine die but there is no bar to the President of India prorogating the House which is in session.
3. Dissolution of the Lok Sabha is done by the President of India who, save in exceptional circumstances, does so on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. Under Article 85(2) of the Constitution, the President has the authority to prorogue the Houses, or either House of Parliament, from time to time. The termination of a session of the House by an order from the President under this provision is referred to as 'prorogation.' The President exercises this power of prorogation only upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister or the Cabinet, i.e., the Council of Ministers. Statement 2 is correct. Typically, prorogation follows adjournment sine die, but technically, the President can prorogue a House even while it is in session. Statement 3 is correct. The President usually dissolves the Lok Sabha based on the advice of the Council of Ministers, except in exceptional circumstances such as a vote of no confidence or other political crises.
Show 3 more PYQs
Which of the following statements are correct in respect of a Money Bill in the Parliament?
1. Article 109 mentions special procedure in respect of Money Bills.
2. A Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Council of States.
3. The Rajya Sabha can either approve the Bill or suggest changes but cannot reject it.
4. Amendments to a Money Bill suggested by the Rajya Sabha have to be accepted by the Lok Sabha.
Select the answer using the code given below :
* Article 109 of the Indian Constitution specifically deals with the special procedure for Money Bills. (Correct) * Article 109(1) states that a Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). It can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha (House of the People). (Correct) * Article 109(5) states that the Rajya Sabha can't reject a Money Bill. It can only make recommendations within 14 days, which the Lok Sabha may or may not accept. (Correct) * The Lok Sabha has the ultimate power regarding Money Bills. It is not bound to accept any amendments suggested by the Rajya Sabha. (Incorrect) Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct.
Consider the following statements:
1. The President of India can summon a session of the Parliament at such place as he/she thinks fit.
2. The Constitution of India provides for three sessions of the Parliament in a year, but it is not mandatory to conduct all three sessions.
3. There is no minimum number of days that the Parliament is required to meet in a year.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Article 85(1) of the Constitution empowers the President to summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one Session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next Session. So, the Constitution provides for the maximum gap between two sessions of Parliament, i.e. it cannot be more than six months. In other words, the Parliament should meet at least twice a year. Therefore the constitution prescribes a maximum gap but there is no minimum gap. So, statement 1 and 3 are correct, and 2 is not correct. Therefore the correct answer is (c).
Consider the following statements:
I. On the dissolution of the House of the People, the Speaker shall not vacate his/her office until immediately before the first meeting of the House of the People after the dissolution.
II. According to the provisions of the Constitution of India, a Member of the House of the People on being elected as Speaker shall resign from his/her political party immediately.
III. The Speaker of the House of the People may be removed from his/her office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then Members of the House, provided that no resolution shall be moved unless at least fourteen days' notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
✅ Statement I: Correct
The Speaker of Lok Sabha continues in office even after dissolution until just before the new House meets, ensuring continuity (Article 94). ❌ Statement II: Incorrect
No constitutional mandate requires the Speaker to resign from their political party; this is only a convention for impartiality. ✅ Statement III: Correct
The Speaker can be removed by a majority resolution with at least 14 days' prior notice (Article 94). Therefore, statements I and III are correct.