Chairman of Rajya Sabha Practice Questions
19 free Chairman of Rajya Sabha practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which Article of the Indian Constitution states that the Vice-President shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States?
- A Article 89
- B Article 63
- C Article 93
- D Article 72
Correct answer: Article 89
Article 89 specifically mandates that the Vice-President of India shall be ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). It also provides for the election of a Deputy Chairman from among the members of the House.
When the Vice-President acts as the President of India, who performs the duties of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha?
- A The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
- B The Speaker of Lok Sabha
- C A member appointed by the President
- D The Vice-President continues to perform both duties
Correct answer: The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
When the Vice-President discharges the functions of the President, they do not perform the duties of the office of Chairman of Rajya Sabha. In such instances, the Deputy Chairman or any other member as per the rules of the House performs these duties.
The Chairman of Rajya Sabha can be removed from his office only if he is removed from the office of:
- A Vice-President of India
- B The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- C Member of Parliament
- D Governor of a State
Correct answer: Vice-President of India
Since the Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman, they can only be removed as Chairman if they are removed from the office of Vice-President. The process requires a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha and agreed to by the Lok Sabha.
Unlike the Speaker of Lok Sabha, the Chairman of Rajya Sabha:
- A Is not a member of the House
- B Does not have a casting vote in the House
- C Cannot preside over a joint sitting of both Houses of the Indian Parliament
- D Is not a member of the House and cannot preside over joint sittings
Correct answer: Is not a member of the House and cannot preside over joint sittings
The Vice-President is not a member of either House of Parliament, whereas the Speaker must be a member of the Lok Sabha. Additionally, the Chairman of Rajya Sabha cannot preside over a joint sitting of Parliament; that responsibility falls to the Speaker.
Who presides over the Rajya Sabha in the absence of both the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman?
- A A person from the panel of Vice-Chairpersons
- B The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- C The senior-most member present in the Rajya Sabha
- D A member appointed by the President of India
Correct answer: A person from the panel of Vice-Chairpersons
Under the Rules of Rajya Sabha, the Chairman nominates a panel of Vice-Chairpersons from among the members. Any one of them can preside over the House in the absence of the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman.
The salary and allowances of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha are:
- A Determined by the President
- B Specified in the Second Schedule
- C Voted upon annually by the Lok Sabha
- D Paid from the Contingency Fund of India
Correct answer: Specified in the Second Schedule
The salaries and allowances of the Chairman are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India and are specified in the Second Schedule. They are not subject to the annual vote of Parliament to ensure the independence of the office.
In the election of the Vice-President (who becomes Chairman), who participates?
- A Only elected members of Rajya Sabha
- B Only elected members of both Houses of Parliament
- C All members of both Houses of Parliament
- D Elected members of Parliament and State Assemblies
Correct answer: All members of both Houses of Parliament
The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of all members (elected and nominated) of both Houses of Parliament. This differs from the Presidential election, where nominated members and State MLAs do not vote.
The Chairman of Rajya Sabha submits his resignation to:
- A The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
- B The President of India
- C The Prime Minister
- D The Speaker of Lok Sabha
Correct answer: The President of India
The Chairman of Rajya Sabha is the Vice-President of India, and the Vice-President addresses his resignation to the President. This is distinct from the Speaker of Lok Sabha, who resigns to the Deputy Speaker.
What is the term of office for the Chairman of Rajya Sabha?
- A 6 years
- B 5 years
- C Until the age of 65
- D Permanent
Correct answer: 5 years
As the Vice-President, the Chairman holds office for a term of 5 years from the date on which they enter office. Although Rajya Sabha members have a term of 6 years, the Chairman's term follows the Vice-Presidential tenure.
Which of the following powers is NOT possessed by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha?
- A Presiding over the House
- B Exercising a casting vote in case of a tie
- C Certifying a Bill as a Money Bill
- D Adjourning the House for lack of quorum
Correct answer: Certifying a Bill as a Money Bill
The power to certify whether a bill is a Money Bill or not is exclusively vested in the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The Chairman of Rajya Sabha has no jurisdiction over this decision.
When a resolution for the removal of the Vice-President is under consideration, the Chairman:
- A Cannot be present in the House
- B Can preside over the House but is not allowed to vote
- C Can be present and speak, but cannot preside
- D Can exercise a casting vote
Correct answer: Can be present and speak, but cannot preside
Under Article 92, the Chairman cannot preside while a resolution for their removal is being considered. They can, however, be present, speak, and take part in proceedings, but unlike the Speaker, they cannot vote even in the first instance.
Who was the first Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
- A Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
- B Dr. Zakir Hussain
- C V.V. Giri
- D S.V. Krishnamoorthy Rao
Correct answer: Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the first Vice-President of India and consequently served as the first Chairman of the Rajya Sabha from 1952 to 1962. He served two consecutive terms in this capacity.
The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha is elected by:
- A The President
- B Both Houses of Parliament in a joint session
- C The Rajya Sabha from among its members
- D The Chairman
Correct answer: The Rajya Sabha from among its members
According to Article 89(2), the Rajya Sabha chooses one of its own members to be the Deputy Chairman. If the Deputy Chairman ceases to be a member of the Rajya Sabha, they must vacate the office.
Who decides on the disqualification of a member of Rajya Sabha on grounds of defection?
- A The President of India
- B The Election Commission of India
- C The Chairman of Rajya Sabha
- D The Supreme Court
Correct answer: The Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law), the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha has the power to decide on the disqualification of a member of the House. This decision is, however, subject to judicial review.
In which case can the Chairman of Rajya Sabha exercise his right to vote in the House?
- A On a Constitutional Amendment Bill
- B In the first instance on any resolution
- C Only in the case of equality of votes
- D When the President directs him to
Correct answer: Only in the case of equality of votes
Like the Speaker, the Chairman does not vote in the first instance. Under Article 100, the Chairman only exercises a casting vote to resolve a tie (equality of votes) on any matter before the House.
Who was the first woman to be the Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha?
- A Ms Violet Alva
- B Najma Heptulla
- C Pratibha Patil
- D Margaret Alva
Correct answer: Ms Violet Alva
Violet Alva became the first woman Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha in 1962. It is important to note that while women have served as Deputy Chairperson, no woman has yet served as the Chairman (Vice-President) of India.
What happens if a member of the panel of Vice-Chairpersons is also absent when the House meets?
- A The House is adjourned immediately
- B The President appoints a pro-tem Chairman
- C The Secretary-General presides
- D A member chosen by the House presides
Correct answer: A member chosen by the House presides
If the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and all members of the panel of Vice-Chairpersons are absent, the House determines who shall preside. Usually, the House agrees on a member present to take the Chair for that sitting.
The Chairman's role in the 'Committee on Rules' of Rajya Sabha is:
- A To appoint the Chairman of the committee
- B The ex-officio Chairman of the committee
- C To merely approve the committee's findings
- D He has no role in this committee
Correct answer: The ex-officio Chairman of the committee
The Chairman of Rajya Sabha is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rules Committee, the Business Advisory Committee, and the General Purposes Committee. This is similar to the Speaker's role in the Lok Sabha.
The Chairman of Rajya Sabha can be removed by a resolution passed by:
- A Simple majority in Rajya Sabha
- B Absolute majority in Rajya Sabha and agreed to by Lok Sabha
- C Two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament sitting jointly
- D A joint sitting of Parliament
Correct answer: Absolute majority in Rajya Sabha and agreed to by Lok Sabha
Article 67(b) states the Vice-President may be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by a majority of all the then members (Effective Majority) and agreed to by the Lok Sabha with a simple majority.