Ans: B

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha can be removed from his office only if he is removed from the office of the Vice-President. The Vice-President cannot preside over a sitting of the Rajya Sabha as its Chairman when a resolution for his removal is under consideration. However, he can be present and speak in the House and can take part in its proceedings, without voting, even at such a time when a resolution for his removal is under consideration in the Lok Sabha..

Statement 2 is incorrect:  During any period when the Vice President acts as President or discharges the functions of the President, he does not perform the duties of the office of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Reference: Chapter 23, Parliament, Indian Polity- Laxmikanth.

Ans: B

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The office of ‘whip’ is not mentioned either in the Constitution of India, in the Rules of the House, or in a Parliamentary Statute. It is based on the conventions of the parliamentary government.

Statement 2 is correct: Every political party, whether ruling or opposition, has its own whip in Parliament. He is appointed by the political party to serve as an assistant floor leader. He is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the attendance of his party members in large numbers and securing their support in favour of or against a particular issue. 

Statement 3 is correct: The whip ensures discipline among party members in the House. The members are supposed to follow the directives given by the whip. Otherwise, disciplinary action can be taken. He regulates and monitors the behaviour of the party members in the Parliament.

Reference: Chapter 23, Parliament, Indian Polity by Laxmikanth

Ans: A

Exp:

Pair 1 is incorrect: Adjournment only terminates a sitting and not a session of the House. It is done by the presiding officer of the House (not the president of India). It does not affect the bills or any other business pending before the House, and the same can be resumed when the House meets again.

Pair 2 is correct: A dissolution ends the very life of the existing House, and a new House is constituted after general elections are held. The Rajya Sabha, being a permanent House, is not subject to dissolution. Only the Lok Sabha is subject to dissolution. The dissolution of the Lok Sabha may take place in either of two ways:

• Automatic dissolution- on the expiry of its tenure of five years or the terms as extended during a national emergency; or
• Whenever the President decides to dissolve the House, which he is authorised to do. 

Pair 3 is incorrect: Prorogation not only terminates a sitting but also a session of the House. The presiding officer issues adjournment sine die, while the President issues the notification of the Prorogation. It also does not affect the bills or any other business pending before the House. 

Reference: Chapter 23, Parliament, Indian Polity by Laxmikanth.

Ans: C

Exp:

Statements 1 and 2 are correct:  An adjournment motion is introduced in Parliament to draw the attention of the House to a definite matter of urgent public importance. As it interrupts the normal business of the House, it is regarded as an extraordinary device. It involves an element of censure against the government, and hence the Rajya Sabha is not permitted to make use of this device.  The motion needs the support of 50 members to be admitted.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The right to move a motion for an adjournment of the business of the House is subject to the following restrictions: It should not cover more than one matter,  It should not raise any question that can be raised on a distinct motion.  It should not raise a question of privilege, etc.

Reference: Chapter 23, Parliament, Indian Polity by Laxmikanth.

Ans: B

Exp: 

Statement 1 is correct:  The quorum to constitute a joint sitting is one-tenth of the total number of members of the two Houses. The joint sitting is governed by the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha and not the Rajya Sabha.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Since 1950, the provision regarding the joint sitting of the two Houses has been invoked only three times. The bills that have been passed at joint sittings are: 

1. Dowry Prohibition Bill, 1960.
2. Banking Service Commission (Repeal) Bill, 1977.
3. Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2002.

Statement 3 is correct: The provisions of the concurrent list:  freedom of trade, commerce, inter-course, and a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament are borrowed from the Australian Constitution.

Reference: Chapter 23, Parliament, Indian Polity by Laxmikanth