ICSE – Grade 10 – Civics – Ch 01 – QA

Difference 1: Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
 Answer:

• Lok Sabha is the Lower House of Parliament; Rajya Sabha is the Upper House.
• Lok Sabha members are directly elected by the people; Rajya Sabha members are elected by state legislatures and nominated by the President.
• Lok Sabha has a term of 5 years; Rajya Sabha is a permanent house with one-third members retiring every 2 years.
• Lok Sabha has greater financial powers, especially over money bills; Rajya Sabha has limited financial powers.
• Lok Sabha controls the government through no-confidence motions; Rajya Sabha cannot do so.

Difference 2: Difference between Money Bill and Ordinary Bill
 Answer:

• Money Bill deals only with taxation, borrowing, expenditure, or financial matters; Ordinary Bill covers all other legislative matters.
• Money Bill can be introduced only in Lok Sabha; Ordinary Bill can be introduced in either House.
• Rajya Sabha cannot amend Money Bill but can only suggest changes; Rajya Sabha can amend Ordinary Bills.
• Lok Sabha has the final authority on Money Bills; Ordinary Bills require approval from both Houses.

Difference 3: Difference between Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha
 Answer:

• Speaker presides over Lok Sabha sessions and maintains order; Deputy Speaker assists and presides in Speaker’s absence.
• Speaker is elected first after the Lok Sabha is constituted; Deputy Speaker is elected subsequently.
• Speaker has casting vote in case of tie; Deputy Speaker exercises powers only when presiding.
• Speaker is impartial and does not participate in debates; Deputy Speaker also maintains neutrality.

Difference 4: Difference between Adjournment Motion and No-confidence Motion
 Answer:

• Adjournment Motion is used to suspend normal business to discuss urgent matters; No-confidence Motion expresses loss of confidence in the government.
• Adjournment Motion can be moved by any member; No-confidence Motion requires 50 members’ support.
• No-confidence Motion, if passed, leads to government resignation; Adjournment Motion leads to temporary suspension of proceedings.
• No-confidence Motion is a direct challenge to the government; Adjournment Motion focuses on a specific issue.

Difference 5: Difference between Question Hour and Zero Hour
 Answer:

• Question Hour is the first hour of a parliamentary session where members ask questions to ministers; Zero Hour follows Question Hour and allows raising urgent matters without prior notice.
• Question Hour is a formal procedure; Zero Hour is informal and not mentioned in parliamentary rules.
• Questions during Question Hour require prior notice; Zero Hour matters can be raised spontaneously.
• Ministers are obliged to answer during Question Hour; during Zero Hour, discussions are brief.

Difference 6: Difference between Union Territories and States
 Answer:

• States have their own governments with full legislative powers; Union Territories are governed directly by the Centre, sometimes with limited legislature.
• States are represented in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha; Union Territories have limited or no Rajya Sabha representation.
• States have Governor appointed by President; Union Territories are administered by Lieutenant Governors or Administrators.
• States have greater autonomy; Union Territories have less autonomy.

Difference 7: Difference between Federal and Unitary Features of Indian Constitution
 Answer:

• Federal features include division of powers between Centre and States, bicameral Parliament, and independent judiciary; Unitary features include a strong Centre, single Constitution, and flexible amendment procedure.
• Federalism implies dual government; Unitary features emphasize central authority.
• States have constitutional protection in federal system; in unitary system, Centre can alter state boundaries or powers.
• India has a quasi-federal system combining both features.

Difference 8: Difference between Impeachment and Removal of Judges
 Answer:

• Impeachment is the process to remove the President for violation of Constitution; removal of judges is for proven misbehavior or incapacity.
• Impeachment requires a special majority in both Houses; removal of judges requires an inquiry and similar majority.
• Impeachment is political; removal of judges is judicial.
• Impeachment deals with executive head; removal of judges deals with judiciary members.

Difference 9: Difference between Legislative Powers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
 Answer:

• Lok Sabha has exclusive power to introduce and pass Money Bills; Rajya Sabha cannot reject or amend Money Bills.
• Both Houses legislate on Union and Concurrent List subjects; Rajya Sabha can only delay bills but cannot veto.
• Lok Sabha can override Rajya Sabha’s rejection after a joint sitting; Rajya Sabha cannot override Lok Sabha.
• Rajya Sabha has special powers to create All-India Services.

Difference 10: Difference between Quorum and Majority
 Answer:

• Quorum is the minimum number of members required to conduct a meeting (usually 1/10th of members); Majority is the number of votes needed to pass a motion (usually more than half).
• Quorum ensures valid proceedings; Majority ensures decision approval.
• Quorum must be present at the start; Majority is counted during voting.
• Without quorum, the house cannot function; without majority, motion fails.

Difference 11: Difference between Nomination and Election of Members in Rajya Sabha
 Answer:

• Some members of Rajya Sabha are nominated by the President for their expertise in fields like arts, science; others are elected by state legislatures.
• Nominated members have no constituency; elected members represent states.
• Nomination is to bring expertise; election is for political representation.
• Both have equal voting rights except in some specific cases.

Difference 12: Difference between Legislative and Financial Powers of Parliament
 Answer:

• Legislative powers relate to making laws on Union, Concurrent, and Residuary lists; Financial powers relate to taxation, budget approval, and financial control.
• Lok Sabha dominates financial matters; both Houses participate in legislation except for Money Bills.
• Financial powers include approving supplementary grants, vote on account; legislative powers include passing bills and ordinances.
• Financial powers are time-bound annually; legislative powers are ongoing.

Difference 13: Difference between Prorogation and Adjournment of Parliament
 Answer:

• Prorogation ends a parliamentary session officially; Adjournment temporarily suspends proceedings without ending the session.
• Prorogation is done by the President; Adjournment is decided by the House itself.
• Prorogation clears all pending business; Adjournment pauses it.
• Prorogation ends a session; Adjournment is short-term.

Difference 14: Difference between Single Citizenship and Dual Citizenship in Indian Constitution
 Answer:

• India follows single citizenship for the entire country; dual citizenship is not provided.
• Single citizenship means one citizenship for all states and union territories.
• It promotes unity and simplifies legal status; dual citizenship can create divided loyalties.
• This contrasts with federal countries like the USA which have dual citizenship.

Difference 15: Difference between Ordinary Bill and Constitutional Amendment Bill
 Answer:

• Ordinary Bill deals with regular laws; Constitutional Amendment Bill changes the Constitution.
• Ordinary Bills require simple majority; Constitutional Amendments require special majority and sometimes ratification by states.
• Ordinary Bills can be introduced in either House; Constitutional Amendment Bills must be passed by both Houses.
• Amendment Bills can change fundamental rights or federal structure; Ordinary Bills cannot.

Difference 16: Difference between the Speaker and the President of India
 Answer:

• The Speaker presides over Lok Sabha; the President is the head of state and constitutional head of the Union.
• Speaker is elected by Lok Sabha members; President is elected by an electoral college.
• Speaker manages parliamentary proceedings; President performs executive, legislative, and judicial functions.
• Speaker’s role is limited to the house; President’s role is national.

Difference 17: Difference between Vote of No-confidence and Censure Motion
 Answer:

• Vote of No-confidence challenges the government’s majority and can force resignation; Censure Motion expresses disapproval but does not remove government.
• No-confidence Motion requires government to prove majority; Censure Motion is symbolic.
• No-confidence Motion ends government tenure if passed; Censure Motion does not.
• Both are used for parliamentary control but have different consequences.

Difference 18: Difference between Federalism and Quasi-Federalism in India
 Answer:

• Federalism implies equal division of powers between Centre and States; Quasi-federalism has a strong Centre with more powers.
• In India, Centre can dismiss state governments; in pure federalism, states have more autonomy.
• India has a single Constitution and judiciary; federal countries often have multiple.
• India’s system balances unity with regional diversity.

Difference 19: Difference between the Union List and the Concurrent List
 Answer:

• Union List includes subjects on which only Parliament can legislate (e.g., defense, foreign affairs); Concurrent List allows both Centre and States to legislate (e.g., education, marriage).
• In case of conflict, Union law prevails over Concurrent.
• States have no power on Union List subjects; they share powers on Concurrent List.
• Lists define the scope of federal and state legislative powers.

Difference 20: Difference between Session and Sitting of Parliament
 Answer:

• A Session is the period during which Parliament meets continuously (usually several weeks/months); Sitting is each individual day’s meeting within a session.
• Sessions are three per year generally; sittings vary day to day.
• Sessions are formally opened and closed; sittings are routine meetings.
• Legislative work is done during sittings; session includes all sittings.