Which authority decides whether a Bill is a Money Bill?

Correct — C. Article 110(3): if any question arises whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not, the decision of the Speaker of the House of the People thereon shall be final.

Under Article 110(4), the Speaker's certificate that it is a Money Bill is endorsed on the Bill when it goes to the Rajya Sabha and when it is presented to the President. That is option (c).

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  Finance Minister — The Finance Minister presents the Budget and pilots the Finance Bill, but the Constitution gives the minister no role in certifying a Money Bill. Article 110(3) gives that to the Speaker.
• (b)
  President — The President recommends a Money Bill's introduction under Article 117(1) and cannot return it for reconsideration under Article 111. Deciding what counts as one is the Speaker's.
• (d)
  Comptroller & Auditor General — The Comptroller and Auditor General audits government accounts after the money is spent. The office has no part in passing Bills, let alone certifying them.

A Money Bill is a Bill that deals only with the matters listed in Article 110(1), such as taxes, government borrowing and the Consolidated Fund of India.

The label matters because it strips the Rajya Sabha of a veto. It can only make recommendations within 14 days, and a Money Bill it does not return in time is deemed passed by both Houses. The Speaker's certificate decides which Bills get this procedure.

Key facts

• Article 110(3): the Lok Sabha Speaker's decision on whether a Bill is a Money Bill is final.
• Article 110(4): the Speaker's certificate is endorsed on a Money Bill sent to the Rajya Sabha and to the President.
• Article 111: the President may return a Bill for reconsideration only if it is not a Money Bill.
• Article 199(3) gives the same final say to the Speaker of a State Legislative Assembly.

Common traps

• Choosing the President because a Money Bill needs the President's recommendation, when recommending its introduction is not deciding what it is.
• Thinking the Finance Minister certifies Money Bills because the minister pilots the Budget, when the Constitution gives the minister no such role.

No directly related past PYQ was found.