Official UPSC Format

Consider the following statements in respect of questions asked by the Members in the Parliament of India :
1. Unstarred questions are those to which a Member desires an oral answer in the House.
2. Starred questions are those to which a Member desires a written answer.
3. No supplementary question can be asked on an unstarred question.
Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct ?

1. Unstarred questions are those to which a Member desires an oral answer in the House.

2. Starred questions are those to which a Member desires a written answer.

3. No supplementary question can be asked on an unstarred question.

⚡ Quick Recall Snippet

During Parliamentary proceedings, starred questions require oral answers, allowing members to ask supplementary follow-up questions. Conversely, unstarred questions require written answers and do not permit supplementary questions.

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Detailed Solution & Authority Citations

Correct Answer is Option C
According to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the Question Hour is highly structured. Let's analyze the statements:
  • Statement 1 is Incorrect: An unstarred question is one to which a Member desires a written answer, not an oral one. Ministers lay these written replies on the Table of the House.

  • Statement 2 is Incorrect: A starred question (marked literally with an asterisk) is one for which a Member desires an oral answer on the floor of the House from the concerned Minister.

  • Statement 3 is Correct: The procedural logic of Parliament dictates that supplementary (follow-up) questions can only be asked in real-time following an oral reply. Since unstarred questions only receive a static written reply, no supplementary questions are permitted.
    • Conclusion: Because the definitions in statements 1 and 2 were deliberately swapped by the examiner, only Statement 3 is factually accurate.

    🚨 The Examiner's Trap

    The examiner directly swaps the definitions of 'Starred' and 'Unstarred' questions in the first two statements to test if the candidate has rote-memorized the terms without understanding the logical mechanics of parliamentary debate.

    Active Recall Flashcard

    Tap to Flip

    Why can't supplementary questions be asked on an unstarred question in Parliament?

    Because unstarred questions are answered in writing, laid on the table, rather than debated orally on the floor of the House.

    Concept Flow Mapping

    Starred Question
    Requires
    Oral Answer
    Unstarred Question
    Requires
    Written Answer
    Unstarred Question
    Prohibits
    Supplementary Questions

    Logic Quest

    "Why are supplementary questions forbidden for unstarred queries?"

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