Question Hour
Why it Matters?
With opposition debates stifled, the 2025 Monsoon Session will spotlight Question Hour as the last robust tool left for parliamentary accountability, as ministers face 42 hours of direct scrutiny on pressing national issues.
What You Should Know?
Question Hour is the first hour of a parliamentary sitting where MPs question ministers to ensure accountability.
The first recorded question in the legislature was asked in 1893, before Independence.
It is governed by detailed parliamentary rules, with the Speaker or Rajya Sabha Chairman as the final authority on conduct.
Kinds of Questions:
Starred question (distinguished by an asterisk) requires an oral answer and hence supplementary questions can follow.
Unstarred question requires a written answer and hence, supplementary questions cannot follow.
Short notice question is asked by giving a notice of less than ten days. It is answered orally.
In 2014, Rajya Sabha's Question Hour was shifted from 11 AM to 12 PM by Chairman Hamid Ansari to reduce disruptions.
Questions must be within 150 words, specific, and limited to the Government of India’s jurisdiction.
Questions on sub judice matters, secrets, or irrelevant topics are not allowed.
The Presiding Officer decides whether a question will be admitted for a reply.
Initially, Lok Sabha held Question Hour daily, and Rajya Sabha started with two days a week, later increased to four.
Since 1964, the Rajya Sabha has also held Question Hour on every sitting day.
Currently, Question Hour is held on all days of the session in both Houses except when the President addresses Parliament or the Budget is presented.