In the passing of a Money Bill, the Rajya Sabha has limited powers in that it shall return the Bill, with or without any recommendation, within the stipulated time of
- (a)12 days
- (b)21 days
- (c)14 days
- (d)30 days
Correct — C, 14 days. Under Article 109 of the Constitution a Money Bill is introduced only in the Lok Sabha; after the Lok Sabha passes it, it is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha, which has only recommendatory power and must return the Bill, with or without recommendations, within 14 days. If the Rajya Sabha fails to return it within that period, the Bill is deemed to have been passed by both Houses at the expiry of the 14 days.
- (a)12 days — There is no 12-day window in the Constitution for Money Bills; Article 109 fixes the period at 14 days.
- (b)21 days — 21 days is not the Money Bill return period — it is a distractor; the Rajya Sabha's window is 14 days.
- (d)30 days — The Rajya Sabha is given only 14 days, a deliberately short window reflecting the Lok Sabha's supremacy in money matters — not 30.
A Money Bill (defined in Article 110 and certified as such by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha) follows the special procedure in Article 109. It can originate only in the Lok Sabha; the Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject it, only recommend changes, and must do so within 14 days. This reflects the financial supremacy of the directly elected House.
The trap is choosing the right number among plausible periods. Anchor '14 days' to the Rajya Sabha's power over a Money Bill, and contrast it with an ordinary bill, where the Rajya Sabha has no time limit and a deadlock is broken by a joint sitting (Article 108) — a device that is not available for Money Bills.
- Article 109 lays down the special procedure for Money Bills; Article 110 defines a Money Bill, and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha certifies a Bill as such.
- A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, and only on the President's recommendation.
- The Rajya Sabha must return a Money Bill within 14 days; its recommendations are not binding on the Lok Sabha.
- If the Rajya Sabha does not return the Bill within 14 days, it is deemed to have been passed by both Houses.
- Confusing the 14-day Money Bill window with other constitutional periods.
- Assuming the Rajya Sabha can amend or reject a Money Bill (it can only recommend).
- Thinking a joint sitting can be summoned to pass a Money Bill.
Asked either as the exact number of days, or as statements testing the Rajya Sabha's powers over a Money Bill (recommend only, 14-day limit).
Consider the following statements: 1. The Rajya Sabha has no power either to reject or to amend a Money Bill. 2. The Rajya Sabha cannot vote on the Demands for Grants. 3. The Rajya Sabha cannot discuss the Annual Financial Statement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 2 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer(b) 1 and 2 only
Same concept — the Rajya Sabha's limited powers over a Money Bill under Article 109. UPSC confirms the Rajya Sabha can neither reject nor amend it (only recommend), the exact limitation this NDA question quantifies as a 14-day window.
What will follow if a Money Bill is substantially amended by the Rajya Sabha?
- (a) The Lok Sabha may still proceed with the Bill, accepting or not accepting the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha
- (b) The Lok Sabha cannot consider the Bill further
- (c) The Lok Sabha may send the Bill to the Rajya Sabha for reconsideration
- (d) The President may call a joint sitting for passing the Bill
Answer(a) The Lok Sabha may still proceed with the Bill, accepting or not accepting the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha
Same Article 109 mechanism — the Rajya Sabha's recommendations on a Money Bill are not binding; the Lok Sabha may proceed regardless. Directly complements the 14-day return rule tested here.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Who certifies whether a Bill is a Money Bill?
- (a)The President
- (b)The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- (c)The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
- (d)The Finance Minister
Answer(b) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha — the Speaker's certificate that a Bill is a Money Bill is final.
- practice — not a real PYQ
A Money Bill can be introduced only in which House of Parliament?
- (a)The Rajya Sabha
- (b)The Lok Sabha
- (c)Either House
- (d)A joint sitting
Answer(b) The Lok Sabha — a Money Bill cannot originate in the Rajya Sabha.