Definition
A motion moved in the Lok Sabha expressing that the House has withdrawn its confidence in the Council of Ministers, which if passed, requires the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to resign.
A no confidence motion is the Parliament's ultimate expression of displeasure with the government. Under Article 75(3), the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha — when the Lok Sabha passes a no confidence motion, the government must resign. A no confidence motion must be supported by at least 50 members of the Lok Sabha (Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha Rules). A no confidence motion differs from a censure motion in that the former targets the entire government (and requires resignation if passed) while a censure motion targets a specific minister or policy.
Statutory Definition
Article 75(3), Constitution of India: 'The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People.' [The no confidence motion is the constitutional mechanism for invoking this collective responsibility.]
Etymology & Origin
From the constitutional doctrine of 'confidence' — the government governs because it has the 'confidence' (support) of the Lok Sabha majority. A 'no confidence' motion withdraws that support, removing the government's constitutional basis for remaining in power.
Full Legal Analysis
No Confidence Motion: Parliament Withdraws Its Support
The no confidence motion is the ultimate political weapon of parliamentary democracy. When passed, it compels the resignation of the Prime Minister and the entire Council of Ministers. India has experienced several notable no confidence votes — each one a test of political arithmetic and parliamentary democracy in action.
Procedure
Under Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha Rules of Procedure: (a) a member must give written notice to the Speaker of their intention to move a no confidence motion, supported by at least 50 members; (b) if 50 members rise to support the motion, the Speaker fixes a date for the debate (not later than 10 days); (c) the motion is debated, each party's position is stated, and a vote is taken; (d) if the motion is passed by a simple majority of members present and voting, the Council of Ministers must resign.
Historical Examples
India's notable no confidence votes: (a) 1979 — Charan Singh government lost confidence before facing Parliament (it resigned without a floor test); (b) 1989 — Rajiv Gandhi government defeated; (c) 1999 — Vajpayee government defeated by one vote, leading to mid-term elections; (d) 2018 — no confidence motion against Modi government defeated by large margin; (e) 2023 — no confidence motion in the 17th Lok Sabha voted down.
Difference from Censure Motion and Cut Motion
Three parliamentary motions challenge the government: (a) No confidence motion — against the entire government; if passed, government must resign; (b) Censure motion — against a specific minister or policy; if passed, is a strong disapproval but does not automatically require resignation; (c) Cut motion — moved against the Demands for Grants (budget); if passed, reduces the demanded amount — implicitly a no confidence in that ministry's policy.
“A no confidence motion is democracy speaking directly. No government, however powerful, can govern against the wish of the elected majority. When Parliament says 'no confidence', the government must go.”
This Term in Indian Statutes
Constitution of India, 1950
"The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People."
Collective responsibility — constitutional basis of no confidence motion; Council resigns if majority confidence is lost
