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6 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu
4 min
Polity & GovernanceEconomyNEWS

Rajya Sabha Passes Motion of Thanks Amid Opposition Walkout

Rajya Sabha adopts Motion of Thanks after Opposition walks out in protest.

The Rajya Sabha adopted the Motion of Thanks for President Droupadi Murmu's address after the Opposition walked out. Amendments proposed by Opposition MPs were defeated. BJP members addressed concerns about the India-U.S.

trade deal, stating it was in the country's interest. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi claimed even External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was unaware of the deal's details.

BJP MP Maya Naroliya highlighted increased allocation to agriculture under the PM-Kisan scheme. AAP MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak criticized the rushed special revision of voter lists.

Key Facts

1.

The Rajya Sabha adopted the Motion to Thank President Droupadi Murmu for her Address to the joint session of Parliament.

2.

Amendments moved by Opposition MPs were defeated in a voice vote in their absence.

3.

The Opposition had walked out of the House during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply to the debate.

4.

BJP members addressed concerns about the India-U.S. bilateral trade deal, stating it was in the country's interest.

5.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi claimed even External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was unaware of the details of the trade deal.

6.

BJP MP Maya Naroliya said under the Narendra Modi government, the allocation to agriculture sector had increased, helping the farmers to modernise farming systems.

7.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) alone, ₹4 lakh crore was distributed to farmers.

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

GS Paper 2 - Polity and Governance: Parliamentary procedures, government policies and interventions

2.

GS Paper 3 - Economy: Agricultural schemes, trade agreements

3.

Potential for questions on parliamentary procedures, agricultural policies, and international relations

More Information

Background

The Motion of Thanks is a formal way for Parliament to thank the President for addressing both Houses. This tradition is borrowed from the British parliamentary system. The President's address outlines the government's policies and achievements of the past year and the agenda for the coming year. It's a significant event that allows the opposition to scrutinize the government's performance. The address is followed by a debate in both houses of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States, is the upper house of the Indian Parliament. It represents the states and union territories of India. Unlike the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body, with one-third of its members retiring every two years. The Rajya Sabha plays a crucial role in the legislative process, especially in matters affecting the states. It can also initiate legislation, except for money bills. The PM-Kisan scheme, formally known as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, is a central government scheme launched in 2019. It aims to provide income support to small and marginal farmers across the country. Under the scheme, eligible farmers receive ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments. The scheme is intended to supplement the financial needs of farmers in procuring various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income.

Latest Developments

The recent adoption of the Motion of Thanks in the Rajya Sabha highlights the ongoing political dynamics between the ruling party and the opposition. The opposition's walkout and defeat of their proposed amendments reflect their dissatisfaction with the government's policies. The debate surrounding the India-U.S. trade deal indicates concerns about its potential impact on various sectors of the Indian economy. The discussion on the PM-Kisan scheme and increased allocations to agriculture underscores the government's focus on addressing the needs of the farming community. However, criticisms regarding the rushed special revision of voter lists raise questions about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process. These issues are likely to continue to be debated and scrutinized in the coming months. Looking ahead, the government is expected to continue its efforts to strengthen economic ties with the United States and other countries. The implementation of the PM-Kisan scheme will likely be closely monitored to assess its effectiveness in improving the livelihoods of farmers. The Election Commission will also need to address concerns about the voter list revision to ensure a free and fair electoral process.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Motion of Thanks and why is it important?

The Motion of Thanks is a formal way for Parliament to thank the President for addressing both Houses. It is important because it provides an opportunity for the opposition to scrutinize the government's policies and performance. The President's address outlines the government's policies and achievements of the past year and the agenda for the coming year.

2. What are the key facts about the recent Motion of Thanks for UPSC Prelims?

For UPSC Prelims, remember that the Rajya Sabha adopted the Motion of Thanks after the Opposition walked out. Amendments proposed by Opposition MPs were defeated. The debate also included discussion on the India-U.S. trade deal and the PM-Kisan scheme.

3. Why did the Opposition walk out during the Motion of Thanks debate?

As per the topic data, the Opposition walked out of the House during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply to the debate, indicating their dissatisfaction with the government's policies. The defeat of their proposed amendments further reflects this dissent.

4. What are the concerns surrounding the India-U.S. trade deal as discussed during the Motion of Thanks?

Concerns were raised about the details of the India-U.S. trade deal. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi claimed that even the External Affairs Minister was unaware of the deal's specifics. BJP members, however, stated that the deal was in the country's interest.

5. How does the adoption of the Motion of Thanks impact common citizens?

The Motion of Thanks reflects the government's agenda and priorities. The debates surrounding it, such as those on the India-U.S. trade deal and schemes like PM-Kisan, can indirectly impact citizens through policy changes and resource allocation. The opposition's concerns also highlight areas where the government's actions may face scrutiny and potential reform.

6. What is the significance of the ₹4 lakh crore figure mentioned in relation to the PM-Kisan scheme?

The ₹4 lakh crore figure represents the amount distributed to farmers under the PM-Kisan scheme. This figure can be used to highlight the scale of government support to the agricultural sector. For the exam, remember this figure as a key indicator of government spending on farmer welfare.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Motion of Thanks: 1. It is a formal way for Parliament to thank the President for their address. 2. Amendments to the Motion of Thanks can be moved by members of the ruling party only. 3. The Motion of Thanks is voted on by both Houses of Parliament. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: C

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Motion of Thanks is indeed a formal way for Parliament to thank the President for addressing both Houses, outlining the government's policies and agenda. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: Amendments to the Motion of Thanks can be moved by ANY member of Parliament, including those from the opposition, to express their disagreement or propose changes. Statement 3 is CORRECT: The Motion of Thanks is voted on by both Houses of Parliament after a debate. If the motion fails to pass, it indicates a lack of confidence in the government.

2. Which of the following statements is correct regarding the PM-Kisan scheme?

  • A.It provides ₹12,000 per year to all farmers, irrespective of landholding size.
  • B.It is solely funded and implemented by state governments.
  • C.It provides ₹6,000 per year to small and marginal farmers in three equal installments.
  • D.The scheme was launched in 2014 with the aim of doubling farmers' income by 2022.
Show Answer

Answer: C

Option C is CORRECT: The PM-Kisan scheme provides ₹6,000 per year to small and marginal farmers (those owning up to 2 hectares of land) in three equal installments of ₹2,000 each. Option A is INCORRECT: The scheme provides ₹6,000, not ₹12,000. Option B is INCORRECT: It is a central government scheme. Option D is INCORRECT: The scheme was launched in 2019, not 2014.

3. Assertion (A): The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. Reason (R): One-third of the members of the Rajya Sabha retire every two years, ensuring continuity. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
  • B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
  • C.A is true, but R is false.
  • D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are true. The Rajya Sabha is indeed a permanent body, meaning it cannot be dissolved like the Lok Sabha. The reason provided, that one-third of its members retire every two years, is the mechanism that ensures this continuity. Therefore, the reason correctly explains why the assertion is true.

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