No Confidence Motion- Meaning, Procedure, Significance, and Latest News

What is a 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. The No Confidence Motion stands against the council of Ministers who, because of their inadequacy or failure to carry out obligations, are no longer deemed fit to hold the positions of responsibility as per the Parliament house.

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

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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 the disruption of 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- Speaker passes the Bills, excluding the Money bill. These money bills are dealt with by Lok Sabha only and not by Rajya Sabha.

Procedure to move No Confidence Motion

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 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 from office. 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. The No Confidence Motion is equally important to UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains exams.

To better understand the topics, you can download the Polity Books for UPSC and NCERT Books for UPSC. You can go through UPSC Previous Year Question Papers to judge your preparations.

No Confidence Motion UPSC Questions

No Confidence Motion UPSC Questions have been asked in IAS Prelims and Mains exam for a long time. A few sample questions are-

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- D

Question: Consider the following statements regarding a No-Confidence Motion in India: [UPSC 2014].

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

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- C

No Confidence Motion UPSC PDF

No Confidence Motion UPSC holds a significant role in UPSC Syllabus. So, it is essential to have a detailed understanding of the topic for the exam.

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