The Parliament of India conducts three sessions each year, namely,

• Budget session
• Monsoon session
• Winter session

Each sitting of parliament consists of a Question Hour and a Zero Hour. The parliament is a union of the President of India and the two Houses (Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha).

What is a Zero Hour?

If a Member of Parliament wants to raise any issue without prior notice or on very short notice then he/she can choose to speak in the Zero Hour. The Member of Parliament represents his/her constituency by speaking up in the Zero Hour. The issues raised in the Zero Hour are of public importance. This device is not recognized under the rules and procedures of the House of the Parliament.

Fig: Indian Parliament

One important thing to note here is that the ministers are not liable to reply to the issues raised in the Zero Hour. Questions related to Zero Hour are frequently asked in both stages of the UPSC exam.

When does the Zero Hour start during a usual parliamentary session?

The Question Hour starts at 11 AM and the Zero Hour starts at 12 noon. Both the Zero Hour and the Question Hour end before the agenda of the day (i.e, regular business of the House).

The Speaker gets notice from members between 8.30 AM to 9.00 AM for the Zero Hour discussion. The Speaker then decides on the importance of the issue. The Speaker also decides the order in which the issues will be raised during the Zero Hour. The nature of issues to be raised in the Zero Hour is unpredictable as it is not mentioned in the rule book of parliament. The duration of the Zero Hour depends on the gravity of the matter raised during the Zero Hour.

Fig: Zero Hour in a parliamentary session

What is the Significance of Zero Hour?

The Zero Hour is the brainchild of the Indian Parliamentary System. It came into existence in 1962. As mentioned above, the ministers are not liable to reply to the issues raised in the Zero Hour. These critical issues are raised to attract the attention of the nation and the government. The Zero Hour provides a forum for MPs to discuss topics that are not included in the day’s agenda or are yet to be considered in the House. The Zero Hour allows for impromptu debates on pressing issues and provides an opportunity for the government to be held accountable on matters of public interest.

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What is the Question Hour?

The first hour of each parliamentary sitting has been allotted to the Question Hour. The Question Hour is mentioned in the Rules of Procedure of the House. The ministers are bound to give replies to the questions asked during the Question Hour. Following are the types of questions asked during the Question Hour.

Starred Questions:

• An asterisk symbol is attached to these types of questions.
• The ministers are liable to give an oral answer to such questions.
• The upper limit for starred questions has been fixed at 20 for Lok Sabha and 15 for Rajya Sabha.
• Five supplementary questions can trail behind a main starred question.
• The list of starred questions is printed in green color.

Unstarred Questions:

• A written answer is given to unstarred questions without any supplementary questions.
• The notice period for such questions is of 10 days.
• The list of unstarred questions is printed in white color.

Short Notice Questions:

• These types of questions are answered orally.
•  The speaker decides on the importance of the question raised under this category.
• The notice period for such questions is less than 10 days.
• The list of short notice questions is printed in light pink color.

Fig: Types of questions asked in Question Hour

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UPSC Previous Year Questions on Zero Hour and Question Hour

Q) What is the meaning of ‘Zero Hour’ in terms of the Indian Parliament? [CSE 2021]

1. When the privilege motion is accepted
2. Hour before the Question Hour
3. The first hour of the parliamentary session
4. The time immediately following the Question Hour

Q) Which of these is not an official device of parliamentary proceeding provided to the Members of Parliament?

1. Question Hour
2. Zero Hour
3. Half-an-hour discussion
4. Short duration discussion

Q) Consider the following statements with regard to the ‘Calling Attention motion’ and ‘Zero Hour’.

1. Both the Question Hour and the Zero Hour are an Indian innovation
2. The Question Hour is not mentioned in the rules of procedure
3. Only Zero Hour is the Indian innovation
4. Zero Hour is not mentioned in the rules of procedure

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