UPSC Prelims 2011 Q43: Indian Polity – Parliament & State Legislatures
- (a) the Budget is modified and presented again
- (b) the Budget is referred to the Rajya Sabha for suggestions
- (c) the Union Finance Minister is asked to resign
- (d) the Prime Minister submits the resignation of Council of Ministers
Answer: (d) the Prime Minister submits the resignation of Council of Ministers
Explanation
What happens if the Lok Sabha rejects the Union Budget
The Union Budget is, constitutionally, a confidence matter tied to the government's survival.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Budget is modified and presented again | Incorrect | There is no automatic re-presentation mechanism; rejection is far more serious |
| (b) Budget referred to Rajya Sabha for suggestions | Incorrect | The Rajya Sabha has only a limited, advisory role on Money Bills and cannot rescue a rejected Budget this way |
| (c) Finance Minister asked to resign | Incorrect | Constitutionally, it is the whole Council of Ministers, not just the Finance Minister individually, that is affected |
| (d) PM submits resignation of the Council of Ministers | Correct | Losing a Budget vote is treated as a loss of confidence in the Lok Sabha, so by convention the entire Council of Ministers resigns |
Budget as a confidence matter:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nature of Budget vote | Treated as a money bill / confidence matter |
| If rejected | Signals loss of majority, Council of Ministers resigns |
| Not just one minister | Responsibility is collective, not individual |
Answer: (d) the Prime Minister submits the resignation of the Council of Ministers.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. There is no constitutional provision for simply modifying and re-presenting a rejected Budget.
- (b) Incorrect. The Rajya Sabha's role on money matters is advisory at best; it cannot save a Lok Sabha-rejected Budget.
- (c) Incorrect. Responsibility is collective — the whole Council of Ministers, not the Finance Minister alone, is implicated.
- (d) CORRECT. A Budget defeat is a loss of confidence, so the entire Council of Ministers resigns, by convention of collective responsibility.
Key point
If the Lok Sabha rejects the Union Budget, it is treated as a loss of confidence, and the ENTIRE Council of Ministers resigns — not just the Finance Minister, and with no automatic re-presentation.
Remember
Budget rejected by Lok Sabha → entire Council of Ministers resigns (collective responsibility, Article 75(3)).
Common mistakes
- Thinking only the Finance Minister is individually responsible for a Budget's fate.
- Imagining a re-presentation mechanism that does not constitutionally exist.
- Overestimating the Rajya Sabha's power over money matters.
Exam tip
Budget rejection = confidence loss = whole Council of Ministers resigns, reflecting collective responsibility (Article 75(3)).
Sources
- Constitution of India — Article 75(3) (collective responsibility) and Article 113 (procedure in Parliament with respect to estimates)
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity (Parliament)