The authorization for the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India must come from:

Answer: (b) The Parliament of India

Under Article 114(3), money can leave the Consolidated Fund of India only under an appropriation made by a law passed by Parliament. The Appropriation Act is that authority. No executive authority can authorise the withdrawal on its own.

• ✓ (b) Article 114(3) bars withdrawal from the Consolidated Fund except under an appropriation law passed by Parliament. The Appropriation Bill is passed by Parliament and then receives the President's assent.
• ✗ (a) The President causes the Annual Financial Statement (Budget) to be laid before Parliament and assents to the Appropriation Bill. He cannot authorise withdrawal from the Consolidated Fund without Parliament's law. Only the Contingency Fund, a different fund, is at the President's disposal for advances.
• ✗ (c) The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers. The Constitution gives him no power to authorise spending from the Consolidated Fund.
• ✗ (d) The Finance Minister presents the Budget and moves the Appropriation Bill. The authority to spend arises only when that Bill is enacted by Parliament.

Remember · Nothing leaves the Consolidated Fund of India without an Appropriation Act of Parliament (Art. 114(3)). Only the Contingency Fund can be used by executive action for unforeseen expenditure, and Parliament must authorise that spending by law later.

Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2011, General Studies paper. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). · Report an error