Types of Questions in Parliament: Starred, Unstarred, Short Notice and Private Members

The types of questions in Parliament are the simplest and most-used tool members have to hold the executive accountable. The Question Hour, which traditionally opens every sitting of both Houses, is structured around four categories of questions — starred, unstarred, short notice, and questions to private members. Each has its own purpose, time-limit, and procedural rules, and together they shape how Parliament extracts information from ministers in real time.

The framework is laid down in the Rules of Procedure of each House — the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha and the corresponding Rules of the Rajya Sabha — and operationalised by the respective Secretariats and the Question Branch.

Starred Questions

A starred question is one that a member desires to be answered orally on the floor of the House. It is distinguished from unstarred questions in the daily Question List by an asterisk against the number — hence “starred.”

Oral answer and supplementaries

The minister concerned answers the starred question orally. After the answer, the member who asked the question and any other member the Presiding Officer permits may ask supplementary questions arising directly out of the answer. Supplementary questions are the heart of the Question Hour — they allow real-time probing and often produce the day’s news.

Daily limit

Not more than 20 starred questions can be placed on the list for oral answer in the Lok Sabha on any one day, and not more than 15 in the Rajya Sabha. Members ballot for slots, and notice must be given within prescribed time-limits (usually 15 clear days before the date).

Unstarred Questions

An unstarred question seeks a written answer. The minister lays the answer on the table of the House, and it is printed in the official record. There are no supplementary questions on an unstarred question.

Why unstarred questions matter

Even without oral interrogation, unstarred questions are valuable. They produce detailed factual replies — statistics, scheme-wise data, district-level breakdowns — that members would rarely extract in the limited time of oral answers. Reports, RTI applications, and journalistic investigations frequently mine the unstarred answers laid on the table.

Daily ceiling

The Lok Sabha admits up to 230 unstarred questions per day; the Rajya Sabha has a comparable ceiling. The numbers are revised by the Presiding Officer from time to time.

Short Notice Questions

A short notice question is one that a member asks on a matter of urgent public importance with notice shorter than the standard period required for ordinary questions. The notice must contain reasons for the urgency.

Admissibility

A short notice question is admissible only if the Presiding Officer is satisfied as to its urgent character and the minister concerned has been consulted on whether the question can be answered at short notice. If admitted, it is taken up after the regular starred questions and is answered orally with supplementaries.

Short notice questions are used sparingly — typically for situations that cannot wait the standard fifteen-day notice period.

Questions to Private Members

Questions are not addressed only to ministers. A member can also address a question to another member relating to a Bill, resolution, or other matter connected with the business of the House for which that member is responsible.

Examples

A member-in-charge of a Private Members’ Bill may be asked a question about the Bill. A member who is the chairperson of a Standing Committee may be asked about Committee business. The rules and procedure are largely the same as for questions addressed to ministers, with adaptations.

Procedure: From Notice to Answer

Notice

A member submits a notice of question to the Secretary-General of the House through the prescribed channel within the notice period (generally not less than 15 clear days before the date for answer).

Admissibility

The Speaker (Lok Sabha) or the Chairman (Rajya Sabha) decides whether the question is admissible. Questions are inadmissible if they ask for an opinion, contain arguments, refer to matters sub judice, or seek information of a confidential nature, among other grounds laid down in the Rules.

Balloting

For starred questions, members ballot for the limited slots available. The list of questions is published in advance.

The Question Hour

The Question Hour is the first hour of every sitting of both Houses (with occasional exceptions). Starred questions are taken up orally with supplementaries; unstarred questions are deemed laid on the table.

Half-an-Hour Discussion

Where a member is not satisfied with the answer to a question and the matter requires elucidation on a point of fact, a half-an-hour discussion may be raised with the Speaker’s permission, generally on three sittings a week.

Why Question Hour Matters

Question Hour is one of the most direct instruments of legislative oversight. Unlike debates on Bills, which can be scheduled around political calculations, the Question Hour returns every day Parliament sits. Ministers must come prepared with answers; their officials must keep records ready for supplementaries. The discipline of preparing for questions itself improves administrative responsiveness.

For broader context on parliamentary functioning, see the Parliamentary Committee explainer and the New Parliament House key points piece.

FAQs

What are the four types of questions in Parliament?

Starred, unstarred, short notice, and questions addressed to private members are the four types of questions in Parliament.

What is a starred question?

A starred question is one that a member wants answered orally. The minister gives an oral answer, after which supplementary questions can be asked.

What is an unstarred question?

An unstarred question is one for which a written answer is sought. No supplementary questions are allowed; the answer is laid on the table of the House.

Can supplementary questions be asked on unstarred questions?

No. Supplementary questions are allowed only on starred questions and short notice questions answered orally.

What is a short notice question?

A short notice question is a question on a matter of urgent public importance asked with notice shorter than the standard fifteen-day period, subject to the Presiding Officer’s admissibility decision.

Can questions be addressed to non-ministers in Parliament?

Yes. Questions to private members can be addressed to a member-in-charge of a Bill, a Standing Committee chairperson, or any member responsible for business connected with the House.

How many starred questions are listed in a day?

The Lok Sabha lists up to 20 starred questions per sitting and the Rajya Sabha up to 15.

What is the Question Hour?

The Question Hour is the first hour of every sitting of Parliament where questions are taken up — starred questions orally with supplementaries, and unstarred questions deemed laid on the table.