PYQ 2012 Q30 · RaahUPSC PYQ

2012 · Polity & GovernancePrevious Year Question

Q30.

Which of the following special powers have been conferred on the Rajya Sabha by the Constitution of India?

A. To change the existing territory of a State and to change the name of a State.

B. To pass a resolution empowering the Parliament to make laws in the State List and to create one or more All India Services.

C. To amend the election procedure of the President and to determine the pension of the President after his/her retirement.

D. To determine the functions of the Election Commission and determine the number of Election Commissioners.

Answer

B

Explanation

Rajya Sabha has two special exclusive powers: (1) Under Article 249 — it can pass a resolution by 2/3rd majority to empower Parliament to make laws on State List subjects in national interest, and (2) Under Article 312 — it can pass a resolution to create new All India Services. These are powers that ONLY Rajya Sabha can exercise, not Lok Sabha. None of the other options (a, c, d) are exclusive Rajya Sabha powers.