Question Hour in Parliament

Question Hour is the period during a parliamentary sitting when members question ministers about matters of public administration. It enables both Houses to obtain information, seek explanations and scrutinise executive action, while supporting the principle of ministerial responsibility.

Constitutional and procedural basis

The accountability function rests on Article 75(3), which makes the Council of Ministers collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Under Article 118, each House regulates its procedure; the detailed rules on questions are contained in the rules of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

• Question Hour ordinarily occupies the opening hour of a sitting, subject to the schedule and directions of the House.
• Questions must satisfy prescribed admissibility conditions and relate to matters for which the concerned minister is responsible.

Forms of questions

Different forms of questions allow members to seek either immediate explanation or detailed written information.

• A starred question receives an oral answer, after which members may ask supplementary questions.
• An unstarred question receives a written answer and does not permit supplementary questions.
• A short-notice question concerns an urgent matter of public importance and is answered orally at shorter notice, subject to admission.

How accountability is secured

Question Hour converts executive responsibility into regular, public scrutiny rather than leaving accountability only to major devices such as motions or debates.

• Ministers are required to explain policies, administrative decisions, expenditure and implementation within their departmental responsibility.
• Supplementary questions permit members to probe incomplete replies, inconsistencies and administrative failures in real time.
• Written answers place official facts and government positions on the parliamentary record, facilitating later scrutiny by members, committees and the public.
• Questions can reveal grievances, implementation gaps and emerging issues, thereby pressuring the executive to investigate, correct or justify its conduct.
• Participation by opposition and non-ministerial members enables continuous oversight, although only the Lok Sabha can enforce collective responsibility through loss of confidence.