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No Confidence Motion: Meaning, Article, Procedure and Significance

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

No Confidence Motion is a formal proposal moved by the opposition against the ruling government in the Lok Sabha under Rule 198 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. According to the Motion, if the ruling party fails to prove its majority in Lok Sabha after the passing of the motion, it must resign. The No Confidence Motion is an important tool against the Council of Ministers in the Lok Sabha. For the motion to be granted, at least 50 members of the Lok Sabha should support the motion.

Below you will find all the essential information regarding the No Confidence Motion, such as its meaning, the procedure to move the motion, its significance, the article related to the motion, etc. Prepare the topic well for the upcoming UPSC Exam.

No Confidence Motion

No Confidence Motion is also known as the Vote of No Confidence and Motion of No Confidence. The opposition’s parliamentary motion evokes the Lok Sabha’s decision and proves the majority. A No Confidence Motion is a legislative resolution introduced in the Lok Sabha that declares the full council of ministers unfit to serve in leadership roles because of their shortcomings or failure to fulfil their responsibilities. It can be adopted in the Lok Sabha without a prior justification.

Difference Between Censure and No Confidence Motion

Also, as per Rule 198 of the rules of Procedure and Conduct of Lok Sabha, there is no need to state the reason for requesting the No Confidence Motion by the opposition before Lok Sabha adopts it.

What is a No Confidence Motion?

The Lok Sabha is the council of ministers’ primary accountability body, per Article 75 of the Constitution. As long as the majority of Lok Sabha MPs continue to support the ministry, it will continue in power. A government can function only when it has a majority in the Lok Sabha.

Prime Minister and Council Of Ministers

In other words, the Lok Sabha can dismiss the ministry without needing a no-confidence vote.

  • The No Confidence Motion is approved if 51% of the house members vote in favor of it, at which point the government is judged to have lost the majority and is required to resign.
  • The opposition can ask the government to demonstrate its majority after bringing a No Confidence Motion, or it must introduce a vote of confidence to do so.
  • The opposition occasionally introduces the No Confidence Motion to compel the government to address crucial matters.

Also, Read:

No Confidence Motion: Latest News

YSR Congress and Telegu Desam Party recently moved the No Confidence Motion on 16th March 2022 against the NDA Government after breaking the alliance with BJP. The majority of Opposition parties supported the motion. A significant number of MPs moved the No-Confidence Motion. However, to avoid disrupting the house, the Speaker is delaying the motion because of chaos on the opposition benches.

The other concerns that have an impact on the No Confidence Motion are-

  • Finance Bills– Recently, the Finance bill was passed directly, without debate, via the guillotine provision. This action was taken for the first time in the Lok Sabha’s history, and many other important decisions have been taken without Legislative scrutiny.
  • Money Bills– The speaker passes the Bills, excluding the Money bill. These money bills are dealt with by Lok Sabha only and not by Rajya Sabha.

Difference Between Money Bill and Finance Bill

Procedure to Move a No Confidence Motion in Parliament

Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha specifies the procedure to move the No Confidence motion. Indian Constitution doesn’t hold an Article for the Confidence or No Confidence Motion. However, Article 75 of the Indian Constitution states that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

The procedure to move a No Confidence Motion is summarised as under:

  • The No Confidence Motion can be moved into the Lok Sabha when 50 or more members support it. (only the Opposition).
  • Rule 198 (1) (a) states that the Speaker can call the members to initiate the leave to make the motion.
  • Rule 198 (1)(b) states that the opposition members asking for the motion must give a formal notice by 10 AM on the proposal day to Lok Sabha’s Secretary-General. If they cannot submit the proposal by 10 AM, it must be submitted by 10 AM on the next day.
  • If the Speaker believes that the motion is in order, then as per Rule 198 (2), they shall request the submitting members to rise in their places after reading the house motion.
  • The Speaker shall declare the motion granted if a minimum of 50 members support it. The No Confidence Motion is taken up within 10 days of the leave submission.
  • Rule 198 (3) states that after the leave is granted, the Speaker may allow a part of the day/an entire day or several days to discuss the motion.
  • According to Rule 198 (4), to regulate the house’s decision, the Speaker shall put questions at the appointed time on the day allotted for the discussion.
  • As per Rule 198 (5), the Speaker can prescribe a time limit for speeches.
  • If the house passes the motion, the Government must vacate the office for further procedure.

Since there is a special procedure for the No Confidence Motion, there is no provision of rules for the Confidence Motion. It is considered to be an ordinary procedure stated under Rule 184.

Significance of No Confidence Motion

In Lok Sabha, the No Confidence Motion is considered an essential procedure against the Council of Ministers. For passing the motion, there is a minimum criterion in which 51% of the Lok Sabha members have to favor the motion. If so, the Government does not have the majority and has to resign. This means that the Government has to prove its majority after the Opposition calls for the No Confidence Motion.

The Opposition can also move the motion to discuss critical issues with the present Government.

No Confidence Motion UPSC

No Confidence Motion UPSC is one of the prime topics for the UPSC Syllabus that comes under the Indian Polity section of GS-II of the IAS Exam. You can go through UPSC Previous Year Question Papers to judge your preparations.

No Confidence Motion UPSC Questions

Question: No confidence Motion to be admitted in the Lok Sabha needs the support of:

  1. 80 Members
  2. 140 Members
  3. 160 Members
  4. 50 Members

Answer: Option D

Question: Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India:

  1. There is no mention of a No-Confidence Motion in the Constitution of India.
  2. A Motion of No-Confidence can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: Option C

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