Question Hour is the time allotted for asking questions. Question Hour is the first hour of every parliamentary sitting of the Lok Sabha for asking and answering questions on the aspects of administrative activity. It usually starts at 11 AM when the House meets for the session. On the other hand, the question hour in Rajya Sabha usually starts at 12 PM when the house meets for the session. Question Hour is an important instrument in the Parliamentary System to ensure accountability among the ministers. The topic “Question Hour” is one of the important concepts in the UPSC/IAS Polity and Governance syllabus which is discussed in this article in detail.

Concept Of Question Hour

• Question hour is the time that is meant to ask questions of importance at the beginning of every Parliamentary sitting and hold the government accountable.
• Question Hour is not mentioned in the Constitution. It is mentioned in the Rules of Procedure of both houses of the Parliament.
• Depending on the nature of the question asked, the concerned Minister must respond to the Parliament either orally or in writing. 
• Questions are not meant only for the minister but also for the private members who are not ministers.
• The Notice to the Questions must be given in writing not less than 15 clear days from the date for which the notice is marked.

Types of Questions in the Question Hour

There are different types of questions that are taken up in the Question Hour:

• Starred Question: Questions with a star (denoted by an asterisk) demand an oral response and hence can be followed by further questions.
• Unstarred Questions: These questions demand a written response. Hence, further queries are not permitted.
• Short Notice Questions: A question asked with short notice of fewer than 10 days notice. The question is answered orally.
• Question to Private Members: A Question can be addressed to a member who is not a Minister. These are generally related to private members' bills and Parliamentary resolutions.

Some Important Information Regarding Question Hour

• In 1991, the parliamentary proceedings started getting broadcasted which made Question hour an even more effective tool in ensuring the accountability of the government.
• In 2014, The Chairman of Rajya Sabha Hamid Ansari changed the Question hour from 11 AM to 12 PM to ensure smooth functioning of the house.
• The Priority of the Question is decided based on the “draw of lots” from the notices received till the last date.
• The questions meant for written and oral answers are printed on yellow and pink colored papers respectively.
• A member can withdraw or postpone his question before the beginning of the sitting.
• In case the setting of the Question hour is canceled or the house is adjourned all the starred and unstarred questions with written answers are laid on the table the next day.
• Question Hour happens every day of the session except on the budget day and President joint address to both the houses.

Significance Of Question Hour

• In the proceedings of Parliament, Question Hour is of particular importance. Members have inherent and unrestricted freedom to ask questions in the legislature.
• The government can swiftly sense the pulse of the public and adjust its policies and activities as a result of Question Hour.
• Ministries can use questions to get a sense of how the public feels about their policies and administration.
• Many flaws that would otherwise go unreported are brought to the ministers' attention via questions.
• When issues expressed by members are serious enough to disturb the public mind and are of broad public interest, questions may lead to the establishment of a commission, a court of investigation, or even legislation.
• For instance, in 1957, one of the financial scams was unveiled in Lok Sabha regarding LIC’s investment in Mundhra’s company.

Conclusion

A parliamentary session would not be complete without question hour. It is the right of citizens to hold the government accountable through their political representatives along with the constitutional and parliamentary rights of the opposition.

FAQs

Question: What is the Question Hour in the Indian Parliament?

Question: How is the Question Hour structured in Parliament?

Question: What is the significance of the Question Hour?

Question: Can Question Hour be suspended in Parliament?

Question: How does the Question Hour differ from Zero Hour?

MCQs

1. The Question Hour in the Indian Parliament is held:

A) During the last hour of a sitting

B) At any time decided by the Speaker

C) During the first hour of a parliamentary sitting

D) Only during budget sessions

2. Starred questions require:

A) Only written answers

B) Oral answers and may include supplementary questions

C) No answer at all

D) A minimum notice period of one week

3. The purpose of the Question Hour is to:

A) Pass bills quickly

B) Allow MPs to seek accountability and information from the government

C) Conduct informal discussions

D) Suspend government work temporarily

4. Unstarred questions in the Question Hour are:

A) Answered orally with follow-up questions allowed

B) Addressed through written replies only

C) Not allowed to be asked

D) Answered during Zero Hour

5. Which of the following can lead to the suspension of the Question Hour?

A) Request by any MP

B) National emergency or special sessions

C) Ordinary daily proceedings

D) Disruptions during the session

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of the Question Hour in ensuring accountability of the government to the Parliament.

Answer: The Question Hour is a crucial mechanism in the Indian Parliament for ensuring government accountability and transparency. During this period, Members of Parliament (MPs) can ask questions to ministers regarding various aspects of government functioning, policies, and public welfare issues. By responding to these questions, ministers are compelled to clarify and justify their actions, fostering greater scrutiny of the executive branch. This process informs both the MPs and the general public, strengthening democratic oversight. Additionally, the ability to ask supplementary questions during oral replies allows for more in-depth discussions and helps expose any inconsistencies or shortcomings in government policies.

Q2: How does the structure of the Question Hour contribute to parliamentary democracy in India?

Answer: The structured nature of the Question Hour contributes significantly to parliamentary democracy in India by providing a formal platform for MPs to seek clarifications, hold ministers accountable, and highlight issues of national importance. The distinction between starred, unstarred, and short notice questions ensures that critical matters receive both oral and written responses, allowing for detailed examination and public dissemination of government actions. This transparency fosters informed debate, enhances public awareness, and strengthens the legislative branch's role in overseeing the executive's functioning. By facilitating open dialogue, the Question Hour upholds the democratic principle of accountability in governance.

Q3: Compare and contrast the Question Hour and Zero Hour in the Indian Parliament.

Answer: The Question Hour and Zero Hour serve distinct roles in the Indian Parliament. Question Hour is a structured and formal session held at the beginning of each parliamentary day, where MPs can ask questions to ministers, who are obliged to provide responses. It is divided into starred questions (requiring oral answers) and unstarred questions (answered in writing). Zero Hour, in contrast, is an informal session that begins immediately after Question Hour, allowing MPs to raise urgent matters without prior notice. While Question Hour focuses on structured accountability and transparency, Zero Hour provides a platform for raising pressing issues that may not fit into the formal agenda, reflecting the dynamic nature of parliamentary proceedings.

Previous Year Questions on the Question Hour

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Evaluate the role of the Question Hour in enhancing the accountability and transparency of the government in a parliamentary democracy.

Answer: The Question Hour is a vital component of parliamentary democracy, enhancing the accountability and transparency of the government. By allowing Members of Parliament to ask questions directly to ministers, it ensures that government actions, policies, and decisions are subject to scrutiny. Ministers must justify and explain their actions, thereby promoting transparency and fostering public trust in governance. The ability to ask supplementary questions during starred questions adds depth to the accountability process. Question Hour also informs the public about government policies and activities, making it an effective tool for democratic oversight. Its significance lies in ensuring that the executive remains answerable to the legislature and, by extension, to the people.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Discuss the impact of suspending the Question Hour on parliamentary functioning and democratic accountability.

Answer: Suspending the Question Hour can significantly impact parliamentary functioning and democratic accountability by limiting the scope for MPs to question the government's actions and policies. The Question Hour serves as a critical mechanism for ensuring government transparency, enabling the legislature to hold the executive accountable. Its suspension reduces opportunities for scrutiny and weakens the checks and balances necessary in a democratic system. The absence of this period can also restrict the flow of information to the public and limit parliamentary debates on important issues. Therefore, maintaining the integrity and frequency of the Question Hour is essential for upholding democratic norms and fostering government accountability.