In the Parliament of India, the purpose of an adjournment motion is
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- Ato allow a discussion on a definite matter of urgent public importance.
- Bto let opposition members collect information from the ministers.
- Cto allow a reduction of specific amount in demand for grant.
- Dto postpone the proceedings to check the inappropriate or violent behaviour on the part of some members.
Show answer
Answer: (A) to allow a discussion on a definite matter of urgent public importance.
An adjournment motion is a parliamentary device to draw urgent attention to a recent, definite matter of public importance.
It interrupts normal business of the House.
Don't confuse it with:
- (b) Question Hour — which is for collecting information from ministers;
- (c) Cut Motion — which is used to reduce a specific amount in a demand for grant;
- (d) Adjournment of the House — the Speaker can adjourn proceedings for disorder, but that is not an 'adjournment motion'.
Source: Laxmikant.
An adjournment motion is the only parliamentary tool that can completely halt normal House proceedings to force discussion on an urgent public matter.
Students often confuse adjournment motion with adjournment of the House - the motion is initiated by members for urgent discussion, while adjournment of House is done by Speaker for maintaining order.
Adjournment Motion
Indian Polity adjournment motion
Adjournment Motion: Purpose & UPSC Distinctions
Adjournment motion draws urgent attention to recent, definite matter of urgent public importance
It interrupts normal business of the House to discuss the urgent matter
Different from Question Hour (information gathering) and Cut Motion (budget reduction)
What It Is
An adjournment motion is a parliamentary device that allows members to halt the normal business of the House to discuss a matter of urgent public importance. It must relate to a recent, definite issue that requires immediate attention.
Key Features
Interrupts normal business - stops scheduled proceedings to prioritize the urgent matter
Must be recent and definite - cannot be vague or relate to old issues
Requires urgent public importance - not for routine or minor matters
Speaker's approval required - Speaker decides if the matter qualifies
Opposition tool - frequently used to highlight government failures or urgent issues
Question Link
The 2012 UPSC question tests whether students know the specific purpose of an adjournment motion versus other parliamentary procedures. Option A correctly identifies its role in discussing definite matters of urgent public importance.
Don't confuse adjournment motion with Question Hour - Question Hour is for collecting information from ministers, not urgent discussions
Don't confuse with Cut Motion - Cut Motion reduces specific amounts in budget grants, not for urgent matters
Don't confuse with adjournment of House - Speaker adjourning House for disorder is different from members moving adjournment motion
Trap: 'Adjournment' in the name makes students think it's about postponing - it's actually about immediate discussion
Question Hour
Indian Polity opposition members information from ministers
Question Hour: Government Accountability Mechanism
Question Hour is the first hour of parliamentary sitting for asking questions to ministers
Used by opposition members to collect information from the government
Three types: Starred, Unstarred, Short Notice questions
Purpose
Question Hour is the parliamentary mechanism that allows members to collect information from ministers about government policies, actions, and decisions. It ensures government accountability to Parliament.
Types of Questions
Type | Notice Period | Oral Answer | Supplementary Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Starred Questions | 15 days | Yes | Allowed |
Unstarred Questions | 15 days | No (written only) | Not allowed |
Short Notice Questions | Less than 10 days | Yes | Allowed |
Key Rules
First hour of every parliamentary sitting is Question Hour
Maximum 20 starred questions can be listed for oral answers per day
Ministers must answer - ensures executive accountability to legislature
Supplementary questions allowed on starred questions for follow-up clarification
UPSC trap: Question Hour is for information gathering, not urgent discussions like adjournment motion
Don't confuse with Zero Hour - Zero Hour is informal time between Question Hour and regular business
Cut Motion
Indian Polity reduction of specific amount demand for grant
Cut Motion: Parliamentary Budget Control
Cut Motion allows reduction of specific amount in demand for grant during budget
Three types: Disapproval, Economy, Token cut motions
Tool for financial scrutiny and expressing disapproval of government policies
Purpose
Cut Motion is a parliamentary device used during budget discussions to reduce specific amounts in demands for grants. It allows members to express disapproval of government policies or expenditure.
Types of Cut Motions
Type | Amount Reduced | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
Disapproval Cut | Entire grant to ₹1 | Express disapproval of policy behind the demand |
Economy Cut | Specific amount | Achieve economy in expenditure on that item |
Token Cut | ₹100 only | Ventilate specific grievance within the demand |
Key Features
During budget session - moved when demands for grants are being discussed
Financial control - Parliament's way to control government expenditure
Specific amounts - must specify exact reduction, not vague disapproval
Rarely successful - ruling party majority usually defeats cut motions
UPSC trap: Cut Motion is about budget reduction, not urgent discussions like adjournment motion
Remember: 'Cut' literally means reducing money, not cutting short debates
Parliamentary Motions Comparison
Indian Polity
Key Parliamentary Motions: Purpose & Distinctions
Each parliamentary motion serves a distinct purpose - urgent discussion, information, budget control, or censure
UPSC frequently tests confusion between adjournment motion and Question Hour
Major Parliamentary Motions
Motion | Primary Purpose | When Used | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
Adjournment Motion | Discuss urgent public matter | Recent definite issue | Interrupts normal business |
No-Confidence Motion | Test government's majority | Express no confidence | Can topple government |
Censure Motion | Condemn government/minister | Policy disapproval | Shows disapproval only |
Cut Motion | Reduce budget allocation | During budget discussion | Financial control tool |
Calling Attention Motion | Draw attention to urgent matter | Matter of public importance | Minister gives statement |
Common UPSC Confusions
Adjournment vs Calling Attention - both for urgent matters, but adjournment interrupts business while calling attention gets ministerial statement
No-confidence vs Censure - no-confidence can remove government, censure only expresses disapproval
Cut Motion vs Budget - cut motion reduces specific grants, budget is overall financial plan
Classic trap: Mixing up adjournment motion (urgent discussion) with Question Hour (information gathering)
Name confusion: 'Adjournment' sounds like postponing, but it actually means immediate discussion
Don't confuse parliamentary motions with procedural adjournments by Speaker for maintaining order