Motion of thanks is the motion of parliament after the first session after each general election and the first session of every fiscal year is addressed by the President. In this address, the president outlines the government's policies and programmes for the previous and following years. This president's address, which corresponds to the 'speech from the Throne in Britain,' is debated in both Houses of Parliament on a motion known as the ‘Motion of Thanks.’ This article explains the Motion of thanks which is important for UPSC IAS Examination.

What is Motion of Thanks?

• Article 87 mentions the President's special address.
• Clause (1) of that article states that the President shall address both Houses of Parliament assembled together and inform Parliament of the causes of its summons at the start of the first session following each general election to the House of the People and at the start of the first session of each year.
• This type of address is known as a 'special address,' and it is also a yearly feature.
• No other business is conducted until the President has addressed both Houses of Parliament.
• This Address must be delivered to both Houses of Parliament at the same time.
• If at the start of the first session of the year, Lok Sabha is no longer in existence and has been dissolved, then the Rajya Sabha needs to meet and can have its session without the President's Address.
  • This occurred in 1977, when, following the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha met on 28 February 1977 without the President's Address.
• The President's Address is the Government's statement of policy, and as such, it is drafted by the Government, which is responsible for its contents.
• The Address includes a review of the government's various activities and accomplishments over the previous year.
• It also talks about the policies, projects, and programs that the government of the day intends to pursue in relation to important national and international issues.
• The Address also indicates the items of legislative business that are proposed to be introduced during the sessions.
• Clause (2) of Article 87 requires that rules governing the procedure of either House provide for the allotment of time for discussion of the matters referred to in the President's Address.
• In most cases, three days are set aside for the discussion of the Motion of Thanks.
• There have only been three instances where the Motion of Thanks was adopted with amendments by the Rajya Sabha.
  • On January 30, 1980, the Motion of Thanks with an Amendment was adopted for the first time.
  • The Motion of Thanks was adopted with six amendments on December 29, 1989.
  • The Motion of Thanks was amended and re-adopted on March 12, 2001.
• The motion is put to a vote at the end of the discussion.
• This motion needs to be approved by the House, otherwise, it amounts to the government's defeat.
• The president's inaugural speech provides an opportunity for members of Parliament to hold discussions and debates in order to examine and criticize the government and administration for its flaws and failures.

Conclusion

According to the Constitution, the President's Address is a solemn and formal act. The highest level of dignity and decorum appropriate for the occasion is maintained. Any action by a member that desecrates the solemnity of the President's Address or causes a commotion is taken seriously and dealt with by the House concerned, either by disapproving the member's conduct or by forming a committee to investigate it.

FAQs

Question: What is the 'Motion of Thanks' in the Indian Parliament?

Question: Why is the Motion of Thanks significant?

Question: Can the Motion of Thanks be amended?

Question: What happens if the Motion of Thanks is not passed in Parliament?

Question: When is the Motion of Thanks debated in Parliament?

MCQs

1. The Motion of Thanks in the Indian Parliament is associated with:

A) The Prime Minister's annual address

B) The President's Address at the beginning of the year or after elections

C) A vote on the Union Budget

D) The Speaker's opening speech

2. What happens if the Motion of Thanks is not passed in the Lok Sabha?

A) It indicates support for the government

B) It signals a lack of majority support for the government

C) It has no impact on the government

D) It leads to immediate elections

3. Can the Motion of Thanks be amended?

A) No, it cannot be amended under any circumstances

B) Yes, amendments can be proposed by MPs to highlight issues

C) It can only be amended by the ruling party

D) Amendments are not debated in Parliament

4. The Motion of Thanks is debated in Parliament:

A) At the end of each parliamentary session

B) Before the Union Budget presentation

C) At the beginning of the first session each year or after elections

D) Only during special sessions

5. The failure to pass the Motion of Thanks in the Lok Sabha indicates:

A) Strong support for the opposition

B) Confidence in the government

C) A lack of majority support for the government

D) Approval of the President's Address

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the importance of the Motion of Thanks in the Indian parliamentary system.

Answer: The Motion of Thanks holds great importance in the Indian parliamentary system as it provides an opportunity for Members of Parliament to discuss the government's policies and priorities as outlined in the President's Address. The motion allows the opposition to raise issues and express concerns regarding the government's agenda. Its passage demonstrates the government's majority support in the House, while failure to pass it signals a lack of confidence. The debate also helps in scrutinizing the government's performance and fosters accountability. Thus, it serves as a platform for constructive discussion and reflection on national priorities.

Q2: Analyze the implications of not passing the Motion of Thanks in the Lok Sabha.

Answer: The failure to pass the Motion of Thanks in the Lok Sabha has significant political implications. It indicates that the government no longer enjoys the confidence of the majority in the House, potentially leading to a political crisis. Such a scenario may result in heightened scrutiny of the government's policies, the possibility of a no-confidence motion, and even a change in the government's leadership. The non-passage of the motion highlights the importance of maintaining a parliamentary majority and reflects the dynamics of coalition politics, public opinion, and the strength of the opposition.

Q3: Explain the role of amendments to the Motion of Thanks in the parliamentary process.

Answer: Amendments to the Motion of Thanks allow Members of Parliament to express their views, highlight issues, and raise concerns about the policies and priorities outlined in the President's Address. These amendments serve as a tool for MPs to critique and scrutinize the government's agenda, bringing attention to specific areas of concern. If an amendment is passed, it indicates a lack of consensus on the government's policies, signaling potential challenges to its majority support. The role of amendments underscores the democratic nature of parliamentary debate, encouraging diverse perspectives and accountability in governance.

Previous Year Questions on Motion of Thanks

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Evaluate the significance of the Motion of Thanks in ensuring government accountability in the Indian parliamentary system.

Answer: The Motion of Thanks is significant for ensuring government accountability in the Indian parliamentary system, as it provides MPs with an opportunity to discuss the President's Address, which outlines the government's policies and priorities. The debate allows for a thorough examination of the government's performance and proposed agenda. MPs can raise concerns, suggest changes, and hold the government accountable for its actions. The passage of the motion demonstrates the government's majority support, while failure to pass it reflects a lack of confidence. This process promotes transparency, debate, and responsiveness in governance, enhancing the democratic functioning of Parliament.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Discuss the procedure and impact of amendments to the Motion of Thanks in the Indian Parliament.

Answer: Amendments to the Motion of Thanks are proposed by Members of Parliament to highlight concerns or express dissatisfaction with specific aspects of the government's policies as outlined in the President's Address. The procedure involves MPs submitting proposed amendments, which are debated and voted upon in the House. The passage of an amendment indicates a lack of consensus on the government's agenda, potentially weakening its support and exposing areas of concern. This process ensures that diverse views are represented and that the government remains accountable to the legislature. The impact of amendments can shape public discourse and influence future policy decisions.