Question

What kind of questions are not asked during the question hour of parliamentary sitting-

• A. Starred questions
• B. Unstarred questions
• C. Emergent questions
• D. Short Notice questions

Hint:

A quick way to remember the differences: - Starred = Oral response + Supplementary questions allowed. - Unstarred = Written response + No supplementary questions. - Short Notice = Urgent matters + Shorter notice period ($\lt 10$ days) + Oral response.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: The initial hour of every parliamentary sitting in India is designated as the Question Hour. This is a foundational democratic device used by Members of Parliament (MPs) to hold the executive branch accountable for its policies and administrative actions. The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business specify exactly three formal categories of questions: Starred, Unstarred, and Short Notice.

Step 1: Breaking down the legal categories of parliamentary questions.
To identify which term does not belong, let us define the valid parliamentary formats used during Question Hour:

• Starred Questions (Distinguished by an asterisk symbol *): These questions require an oral answer on the floor of the House. Because the answer is spoken, it opens up the floor for MPs to ask immediate, follow-up inquiries known as "supplementary questions".

• Unstarred Questions: These questions demand a written reply from the respective Minister. The written response is printed in the official report of the day's proceedings. Because no oral exchange occurs, no supplementary questions can be asked.

• Short Notice Questions: These are questions relating to a matter of urgent public importance. They can be asked with a notice period shorter than the standard ten clear days required for regular questions, and they are answered orally.

Step 2: Identifying the incorrect term.
Reviewing the terminology set out in parliamentary rules reveals that there is no category known as an

"Emergent question". Urgent matters that require rapid attention are handled specifically through the "Short Notice" question format, or alternatively through procedural motions like Adjournment Motions or Calling Attention Notices outside of the formal Question Hour structure. Therefore, "Emergent questions" do not exist in Indian parliamentary procedure.