UPSC Prelims 2010 Q76: Indian Polity – Public Finance & Finance Commission
Who of the following shall cause every recommendation made by the Finance Commission
to be laid before each House of Parliament?
- (a) The President of India
- (b) The Speaker of Lok Sabha
- (c) The Prime Minister of India
- (d) The Union Finance Minister
Answer: (a) The President of India
Explanation
Who lays Finance Commission recommendations before Parliament
The Finance Commission's recommendations require a specific constitutional step before Parliament can act on them.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) The President of India | Correct | Under Article 281, the President is required to cause every Finance Commission recommendation, along with an explanatory memorandum, to be laid before each House of Parliament |
| (b) The Speaker of Lok Sabha | Incorrect | The Speaker manages Lok Sabha proceedings, but this specific constitutional duty belongs to the President |
| (c) The Prime Minister of India | Incorrect | The PM has no such specific constitutional obligation here |
| (d) The Union Finance Minister | Incorrect | The Finance Minister may present related documents, but the constitutional duty to lay the recommendations is the President's |
Finance Commission reports and Parliament:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Constitutional basis | Article 281 |
| Who lays it | The President of India |
| What's included | Recommendations + an explanatory memorandum on action taken |
Answer: (a) The President of India.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Article 281 requires the President to lay Finance Commission recommendations before Parliament.
- (b) Incorrect. The Speaker manages House proceedings but doesn't hold this specific constitutional duty.
- (c) Incorrect. The Prime Minister has no such specific constitutional obligation here.
- (d) Incorrect. The Finance Minister is not the constitutionally designated person for this specific duty.
Key point
Under Article 281, the PRESIDENT OF INDIA must cause every Finance Commission recommendation, with an explanatory memorandum, to be laid before each House of Parliament.
Remember
Article 281: the President lays every Finance Commission recommendation before each House of Parliament, with an explanatory memorandum.
Common mistakes
- Confusing this with the Finance Minister's general Budget-presentation role.
- Not knowing the specific Article 281 basis for this Presidential duty.
- Assuming the Speaker handles all documents tabled in the Lok Sabha, including this one.
Exam tip
Finance Commission report → laid before Parliament by the PRESIDENT (Article 281), not the PM, Speaker, or Finance Minister.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Article 281 (recommendations of the Finance Commission)
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity (Finance Commission)