{"id":105793,"date":"2026-05-29T16:53:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T11:23:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=105793"},"modified":"2026-05-29T16:54:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T11:24:27","slug":"starred-vs-unstarred-questions-in-parliament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/starred-vs-unstarred-questions-in-parliament\/","title":{"rendered":"Starred vs Unstarred Questions in Parliament, Key Differences"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Indian Parliament uses different types of questions to make the government accountable and transparent. <\/span>Members of Parliament (MPs)<\/b> ask questions to ministers about government policies, schemes, public issues, and administration. These questions are mainly divided into <\/span>Starred Questions<\/b> and <\/span>Unstarred Questions<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding the difference between <\/span>Starred vs Unstarred Questions in Parliament<\/b> is important because both help Parliament monitor the working of the government.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a Starred Question?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A <\/span>Starred Question<\/b> is a type of question asked by a Member of Parliament that requires an <\/span>oral answer<\/b> from the concerned minister in the House. It is marked with an <\/span>asterisk (*) sign<\/b>. After the minister replies, MPs can ask supplementary questions for further clarification. Starred Questions are used to discuss important public issues and ensure government accountability.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is an Unstarred Question?<\/b><\/h2>\n

An <\/span>Unstarred Question<\/b> is a type of question asked by Members of Parliament that requires a <\/span>written reply<\/b> from the concerned minister. These questions are not answered orally in the House. MPs cannot ask supplementary questions after the reply is given. Unstarred Questions are mainly used to collect detailed facts, data, and official information from the government.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Starred vs Unstarred Questions in Parliament<\/b><\/h2>\n

Starred and Unstarred Questions in Parliament are important tools used by Members of Parliament to seek information from the government. The key difference between the two has been tabulated below.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Starred vs Unstarred Questions in Parliament<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n

Basis<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Starred Questions<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Unstarred Questions<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Meaning<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Starred Questions<\/b> are questions asked by MPs that require an <\/span>oral answer<\/b> from the concerned minister during Question Hour in Parliament. These questions are generally related to important public matters that need immediate clarification from the government.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Unstarred Questions<\/b> are questions asked by MPs that require a <\/span>written answer<\/b> from the minister. These questions are mainly used to obtain detailed facts, reports, statistics, and official information from the government.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Symbol<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

A <\/span>Starred Question<\/b> is identified by an <\/span>asterisk (*) mark<\/b> placed before the question number.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

An <\/span>Unstarred Question<\/b> does not contain any asterisk mark.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Type of Reply<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

The minister gives an <\/span>oral reply<\/b> in the House, allowing direct discussion on the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

The minister submits a <\/span>written reply,<\/b> which is laid on the table of the House.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Supplementary Questions<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

MPs can ask <\/span>supplementary questions<\/b> after the initial reply to seek more clarification or additional information.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

MPs are <\/span>not allowed<\/b> to ask supplementary questions after the written reply is submitted.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Discussion in Parliament<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

These questions often lead to <\/span>short discussions and debates<\/b> in Parliament because members can interact directly with ministers.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

No discussion takes place because the reply is submitted only in written form.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Purpose<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Mainly used to raise <\/span>urgent and important public issues<\/b> requiring immediate government explanation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Mainly used for obtaining <\/span>detailed information, data, statistics, and reports<\/b> from ministries and departments.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Interaction Level<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

There is <\/span>direct interaction<\/b> between MPs and ministers during<\/span> Question Hour<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

There is <\/span>no direct interaction<\/b> between MPs and ministers.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Nature of Issues Raised<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Generally related to <\/span>important national, political, economic, or social matters<\/b> that need public attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Usually related to <\/span>administrative details, schemes, <\/b>budgets<\/b><\/a>, statistics, and departmental functioning<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Public Attention<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

These questions receive <\/span>greater media coverage and public attention<\/b> because ministers answer them orally in Parliament.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

These questions receive comparatively <\/span>less public attention<\/b> as replies are written.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Transparency<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Helps improve transparency through direct questioning of ministers in Parliament.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Helps maintain transparency by providing detailed written records and official data.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Accountability<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ensures immediate accountability of the government before Parliament and the public.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ensures <\/span>accountability<\/b><\/a> by making ministries provide factual written information.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Official Record<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Oral answers and discussions become part of parliamentary proceedings and records.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Written replies become part of official parliamentary documents and records.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Importance in Democracy<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Strengthens parliamentary democracy by encouraging live debate and ministerial responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Strengthens democratic oversight by providing authentic and detailed government information.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Example<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Questions related to <\/span>inflation<\/b><\/a>, national security, <\/span>unemployment<\/b><\/a>, or major government policies.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Questions related to<\/span> census <\/b><\/a>data, scheme expenditure, recruitment details, and official reports.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

UPSC CSE Prelims PYQ<\/b><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Consider the following statements in respect of questions asked by the Members in the Parliament of India :\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n
  2. Unstarred questions are those to which a Member desires an oral answer in the House.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Starred questions are those to which a Member desires a written answer.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. No supplementary question can be asked on an unstarred question.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct?<\/b><\/p>\n

    (a) All the three statements are correct.<\/span><\/p>\n

    (b) There are two correct statements, that include statement 2.<\/span><\/p>\n

    (c) There is only one correct statement.<\/span><\/p>\n

    (d) There is no correct statement.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Starred vs Unstarred Questions in Parliament, their meaning, key differences, features, importance, and role in ensuring government accountability and transparency.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":105787,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[5107,5108],"class_list":{"0":"post-105793","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-indian-polity","9":"tag-indian-polity-notes","10":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105793"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105793\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":105796,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105793\/revisions\/105796"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/105787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}