RAS question
An ordinary bill can be introduced in which House of Parliament?
Correct answer: (A) In either House.
An ordinary bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament, unlike a Money Bill, which cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
Explanation
Article 107 of the Constitution places the general rule for introducing and passing Bills: subject to the special provisions for Money Bills and other financial Bills, a Bill may originate in either House of Parliament. That is why an ordinary bill, which is neither a Money Bill nor a financial bill, may be introduced in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. The exception matters because Article 109 sets a special procedure for Money Bills and says that a Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Council of States, meaning the Rajya Sabha. The question therefore tests the contrast between the normal bicameral route for ordinary bills and the Lok Sabha-only introduction rule for Money Bills.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Lok Sabha-only introduction is the special rule for Money Bills under Article 109, not the general rule for ordinary bills.
- (C) A joint sitting under Article 108 is used for considering and voting on a Bill after a deadlock between the two Houses, not for introducing an ordinary bill.
- (D) Article 107 allows a Bill to originate in either House, so ordinary bills are not confined to the Rajya Sabha.
Concept
This tests legislative procedure under Parliament, especially the distinction between ordinary bills and Money Bills. It recurs in RAS because bicameral procedure, Lok Sabha-Rajya Sabha powers and constitutional exceptions are standard Indian Polity themes.