The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the
A
Lok Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership
B
Lok Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting
C
Rajya Sabha by a simple majority of its total membership
D
Rajya Sabha by a majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting
Correct Answer
Explanation
Under Article 249, the Parliament can legislate on a State List subject if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution in the national interest supported by a special majority of not less than two-thirds of its members present and voting. Option (b) is incorrect because the Lok Sabha cannot initiate this process; this specific power is vested solely in the Rajya Sabha as it acts as the representative of the States in the federal structure. This question tests the core concept of the **special powers of the Rajya Sabha** and the **quasi-federal distribution of legislative powers** under the Indian Constitution.
Indian Parliament / Centre-State RelationsLegislative Powers of Parliament (State List)ParliamentState Listnational interestresolutionRajya SabhaLok Sabhatwo-thirds majoritysimple majorityArticle 249