The No-Confidence Motion (NCM) is a vital mechanism within the Indian parliamentary system designed to assess the government's majority in the Lok Sabha. Governed by Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution, this provision mandates that the Lok Sabha holds the Council of Ministers accountable.
The procedure for introducing a no-confidence motion is outlined in Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha rules. A member must submit a written notice for the motion before 10 AM. Notably, the motion does not need to specify reasons for its introduction. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha does not have the authority to admit or reject the motion; this power resides with the Lok Sabha itself.
Once the motion is introduced, the Speaker reads it aloud in the Lok Sabha. If at least 50 members support the motion, a discussion date is set, which must occur within 10 days of the motion's admission. During this discussion, Members of Parliament (MPs) will speak, culminating in a reply from the Prime Minister before a vote is conducted.
If the government secures a majority of votes, it continues in power. Conversely, if the no-confidence motion passes, the government must resign. In such a case, a new government is to be formed; if this is unfeasible, general elections for a new Lok Sabha must be conducted.
The upcoming NCM in August 2023 marks the 28th no-confidence motion since India’s independence, highlighting the significance of this parliamentary tool in ensuring government accountability and maintaining the confidence of the house's majority.
Within a single Lok Sabha session—whether it is a budget session, monsoon session, winter session, or special session—only one no-confidence motion can be introduced. Additionally, there exists a 'confidence motion,' which is proposed by the government itself to affirm its majority when doubts arise about its support in the Lok Sabha.
Historically, three Prime Ministers have lost confidence motions they initiated: the V P Singh government in 1990, the H D Deve Gowda government in 1997, and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 1999, the latter losing by a narrow margin of a single vote.
A related concept is the 'constructive no-confidence motion,' which allows for the replacement of the existing government without forcing elections. This approach aims to ensure stability, albeit sometimes at the expense of accountability.
Q1. What is a No-Confidence Motion in the Indian Parliament?
Answer: A No-Confidence Motion is a parliamentary procedure used to test the government's majority in the Lok Sabha. If successful, it leads to the government's resignation.
Q2. How is a No-Confidence Motion initiated?
Answer: It is initiated by a member submitting a written notice before 10 AM. It requires the support of at least 50 members to proceed.
Q3. What happens if a No-Confidence Motion is passed?
Answer: If passed, the government must resign, and a new government will be formed. If that is not possible, general elections are called.
Q4. How often can a No-Confidence Motion be introduced in a Lok Sabha session?
Answer: Only one No-Confidence Motion can be introduced in each Lok Sabha session, whether it is budget, monsoon, or winter session.
Q5. What is a Confidence Motion?
Answer: A Confidence Motion is proposed by the government itself to affirm its majority in the Lok Sabha when doubts about its support arise.
Question 1: What is the primary function of a No-Confidence Motion?
A) To pass new laws
B) To assess the government's majority
C) To conduct elections
D) To appoint ministers
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What article of the Indian Constitution governs the No-Confidence Motion?
A) Article 80
B) Article 75
C) Article 21
D) Article 14
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: How many members are needed to support a No-Confidence Motion for it to be discussed?
A) 20
B) 50
C) 100
D) 200
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What happens if a government loses a Confidence Motion?
A) It continues in power
B) It must resign
C) New elections are called
D) It can appeal
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What is a constructive No-Confidence Motion?
A) A motion to pass a law
B) A motion that forces elections
C) A motion that allows for government replacement without elections
D) A motion to support the government
Correct Answer: C
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