Introduction
Question Hour is one of the most important instruments of parliamentary control over the executive in India. It provides Members of Parliament (MPs) an opportunity to ask questions to ministers regarding the functioning of their departments, government policies, administration, expenditure and matters of public importance.
Through Question Hour, the government is required to provide information and explain its actions before Parliament. It therefore promotes accountability, transparency and responsible government.
Question Hour is generally the first hour of a sitting of Parliament, subject to the rules and the programme of business of the respective House.
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Meaning of Question Hour
Question Hour refers to the period during a parliamentary sitting when members ask questions to ministers and ministers provide answers.
Questions may relate to government policies, implementation of schemes, administrative decisions, expenditure, development programmes and other matters falling within the responsibility of the concerned ministry.
The questions enable MPs to obtain information directly from the government and bring matters of public interest to the attention of Parliament.
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Types of Questions
Parliamentary questions are broadly classified into four categories:
1. Starred Question
A Starred Question is one for which a member desires an oral answer from the minister.
After the minister gives the oral answer, the member who asked the question may ask supplementary questions. Other members may also be permitted to ask supplementary questions, subject to the rules of the House.
A starred question is identified by an asterisk (*).
Key point:
Starred Question → Oral answer + Supplementary questions
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2. Unstarred Question
An Unstarred Question is one for which a member desires a written answer.
Since the answer is provided in writing, supplementary questions are not allowed in respect of an unstarred question.
Key point:
Unstarred Question → Written answer + No supplementary questions
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3. Short Notice Question
A Short Notice Question is a question relating to a matter of urgent public importance which is asked with notice shorter than the period normally prescribed for an ordinary question.
It requires the permission of the concerned Presiding Officer and is answered orally.
The purpose of this provision is to enable Parliament to seek an immediate response from the government on an urgent matter.
Key point:
Short Notice Question → Urgent public importance + Shorter notice + Oral answer
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4. Questions to Private Members
Questions can also be addressed to Private Members regarding matters connected with Bills, resolutions or other business for which those members are responsible.
This category is different from questions addressed to ministers concerning government departments.
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Supplementary Questions
Supplementary questions are questions asked by members after the minister has given an oral answer to a starred question or another question where supplementary questioning is permitted.
They allow members to seek clarification, additional information or explanations from the government.
Supplementary questions are therefore an important feature of Question Hour because they can lead to a more detailed examination of government actions.
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Importance of Question Hour
Question Hour is a powerful mechanism for ensuring executive accountability.
India follows a parliamentary system in which the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Parliament therefore needs effective mechanisms through which the government can be questioned about its policies and administration.
Question Hour provides such a mechanism.
It enables MPs to obtain official information and bring problems faced by citizens before the government. Questions may draw attention to issues such as unemployment, infrastructure, public health, education, agriculture, law and order, government schemes and public expenditure.
Question Hour also gives the Opposition and other members an opportunity to scrutinise government policies and demand explanations.
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Question Hour as an Instrument of Parliamentary Control
Question Hour is considered an important instrument of legislative control over the executive.
Through questions, MPs can:
- Seek information from the government.
- Obtain clarification regarding government policies.
- Draw attention to administrative failures.
- Expose irregularities or shortcomings.
- Highlight public grievances.
- Examine the implementation of government programmes.
- Make ministers accountable before Parliament.
Thus, Question Hour contributes to the principle of responsible government.
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Difference Between Starred and Unstarred Questions
Basis| Starred Question| Unstarred Question
Answer| Oral| Written
Supplementary questions| Allowed| Not allowed
Symbol| *| No asterisk
Main purpose| Oral discussion and clarification| Obtaining detailed written information
Easy Memory Trick
Starred = Spoken
Unstarred = Written
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Question Hour and Zero Hour
Question Hour and Zero Hour are often confused.
Question Hour is a formally regulated parliamentary procedure during which members ask questions to ministers and receive answers according to the rules.
Zero Hour, on the other hand, is the period when members may raise matters of urgent public importance without the formal advance notice required for questions. The term “Zero Hour” is not mentioned in the Rules of Procedure of Parliament.
The two can therefore be distinguished as follows:
Question Hour| Zero Hour
Formal parliamentary procedure| Informal parliamentary practice
Members ask questions| Members raise urgent matters
Ministers provide answers| Immediate response may be sought, but it is not Question Hour
Governed by detailed rules| Developed through parliamentary practice
Generally first hour of sitting| Traditionally follows Question Hour
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Constitutional and Parliamentary Basis
The Constitution of India does not itself contain a detailed provision specifically establishing Question Hour.
The procedure relating to questions is primarily governed by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The constitutional basis for parliamentary procedure can be connected with Article 118, under which each House of Parliament may make rules for regulating its procedure and conduct of business.
Therefore, Question Hour is essentially a parliamentary procedural mechanism rather than a separately enumerated constitutional institution.
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Role of the Speaker and Chairman
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha play important roles in regulating parliamentary questions.
They ensure that questions are admitted and conducted according to the rules and established parliamentary procedure.
Questions must satisfy prescribed conditions relating to matters such as relevance, clarity, admissibility and the scope of parliamentary responsibility.
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Significance for Indian Democracy
Question Hour strengthens parliamentary democracy by creating a direct channel through which elected representatives can question the government.
It makes government departments provide information publicly and places ministers under parliamentary scrutiny.
It also helps Parliament identify administrative shortcomings and brings local and national issues to the attention of the government.
Therefore, Question Hour is not merely a mechanism for asking questions; it is an important instrument of accountability, transparency and democratic control over the executive.
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Important Exam Facts
1. Question Hour is an important instrument of parliamentary control over the executive.
2. It is generally the first hour of a sitting of Parliament, subject to the rules and programme of business.
3. Starred Question → Oral answer.
4. Unstarred Question → Written answer.
5. Supplementary questions are permitted for starred questions.
6. Supplementary questions are not permitted for unstarred questions.
7. A Short Notice Question deals with a matter of urgent public importance and is asked with shorter notice.
8. Questions may also be addressed to private members in specified circumstances.
9. The procedure for Question Hour is mainly governed by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the respective House.
10. Article 118 empowers each House to make rules for regulating its procedure and conduct of business.
11. Question Hour and Zero Hour are not the same.
12. Zero Hour is not mentioned in the Rules of Procedure.
13. Question Hour promotes executive accountability.
14. Question Hour enables MPs to obtain information directly from the government.
15. Starred = Oral; Unstarred = Written.
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One-Line Definition
Question Hour is the parliamentary period during which Members of Parliament ask questions to ministers and seek information and accountability regarding government policies and administration.
Easy Revision Formula
Question Hour = Questions + Government Answers + Supplementaries + Executive Accountability
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Sources
- Constitution of India — Article 118
- Lok Sabha Secretariat — Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha
- Rajya Sabha Secretariat — Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States
- Parliament of India — Parliamentary Procedures
- IGNOU Study Material — Indian Parliament and Parliamentary Procedures
- M. Laxmikanth, Indian Polity — Parliament and Parliamentary Control over the Executive
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