Prelims 2015 · archive
MediumConsider 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?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
The Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations on a Money Bill, and the Lok Sabha is free to reject them. It has no vote on Demands for Grants, because Article 113 gives that vote to the Lok Sabha alone. It can still discuss the Annual Financial Statement, which is laid before both Houses.
- ✓ 1. Under Article 109, a Money Bill cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can only return the Bill within 14 days with recommendations, and the Lok Sabha may accept or reject any or all of them. So the Rajya Sabha can neither reject nor amend the Bill.
- ✓ 2. Article 113(2) says demands for grants are submitted to the House of the People. Only that House can assent, refuse to assent, or assent after reducing the amount. The Rajya Sabha has no vote on them.
- ✗ 3. Under Article 112(1), the annual financial statement is laid before both Houses of Parliament. Article 113(1) expressly allows "the discussion in either House" of the estimates for charged expenditure. The Rajya Sabha takes part in the general discussion on the Budget, even though it does not vote on grants.
Remember · The Rajya Sabha can discuss the Budget and recommend changes to a Money Bill (within 14 days). It cannot vote on Demands for Grants, and it cannot reject or amend a Money Bill.
Sources
- Constitution of India, Article 109 (Special procedure in respect of Money Bills) ↗ “the Council of States shall within a period of fourteen days from the date of its receipt of the Bill return the Bill to the House of the People with its recommendations … shall be submitted in the form of demands for grants to the House of the People, and the House of the People shall have power to assent, or to refuse to assent, to any demand … The President shall in respect of every financial year cause to be laid before both the Houses of Parliament a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2015, General Studies paper. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·