Question 1

Private Members' Bills can only be introduced by MPs belonging to the Opposition.

Accepted Answer

A Private Member is any MP who is not a Minister, regardless of their party affiliation. Ruling party MPs who are not Ministers can and do introduce Private Members' Bills.

Question 2

A Private Member's Bill is a bill that deals with private entities or private corporate matters.

Accepted Answer

It is a public bill dealing with general public policy, but it is called 'Private Member's' because it is introduced by an individual MP in their private capacity as a legislator, not on behalf of the executive Cabinet.

Question 3

Consider the following statements regarding Private Members' Bills in the Indian Parliament:
1. They can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha.
2. An MP from the ruling party who is not a Minister can introduce a Private Member's Bill.
3. Their introduction in the House requires a prior notice of one month.
How many of the above statements are correct?

Accepted Answer

(b) Only two — Statement 1 is incorrect because Private Members' Bills can be introduced in either House of Parliament (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha). Statement 2 is correct as any MP who is not a minister is considered a private member, even if they belong to the ruling party. Statement 3 is correct; a one-month prior notice is required to introduce a Private Member's Bill, unlike a government bill which usually requires a 7-day notice.

Question 4

Match the proposed changes in the Private Members' Bills (March 2026) with their respective legal provisions:
List I (Provision)
A. Prohibition on acquiring multi-cropped land in climate-vulnerable regions
B. Enhanced punishment for crimes under voluntary intoxication
C. Food Security Impact Assessment
D. Exception for acquisition in 'exceptional circumstances'

List II (Law/Section)
1. Section 24A of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Amendment) Bill
2. Section 10(5) of LARR (Amendment) Bill, 2025
3. Existing Section 10(2) of LARR Act, 2013
4. Section 10(6) of LARR (Amendment) Bill, 2025

Accepted Answer

(a) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3 — The LARR (Amendment) Bill, 2025 proposes Section 10(5) to prohibit acquisition in climate-vulnerable areas (A-2) and Section 10(6) for a Food Security Impact Assessment (C-4). The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes a new Section 24A for voluntary intoxication (B-1). The existing Section 10(2) of the 2013 LARR Act is what currently allows exceptions for acquiring multi-cropped land (D-3).

Question 5

Assertion (A): The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2025 proposes a mandatory Food Security Impact Assessment.
Reason (R): The original LARR Act of 2013 completely banned the acquisition of irrigated multi-cropped land without any exceptions.
Select the correct answer:

Accepted Answer

(c) A is true but R is false. — The Assertion is true; the 2025 private member's bill proposes a Food Security Impact Assessment and a Post-Acquisition review. The Reason is false because the original 2013 Act did NOT completely ban the acquisition of irrigated multi-cropped land; Section 10(2) allowed it under 'exceptional circumstances,' which is exactly the statutory loophole the new amendment seeks to address.

Private Members' Bills on Land and Justice

SC Constitution Bench Hears Presidential Reference under Article 143