No Confidence Motion: Meaning, Article, Procedure, Features & Significance

Updated on September 22, 2026Author:NEXT IAS Contributors

A No-Confidence motion is a parliamentary tool that is moved by an Opposition party to challenge the ruling party to prove its confidence. It can only be used in the Lok Sabha, not applicable in the Rajya Sabha. It is a formal way for members of the Lok Sabha to express their dissent against the Council of Ministers. The 1st time this motion was introduced in 1963 against the Jawaharlal Nehru government.

The purpose of this motion can be to remove the government, forcing for a floor test, and to pressure the government into debating critical national issues. It is not directly mentioned in the Constitution, but the essence of a non-confidence motion lies in Article 75 (collective responsibility) in the Constitution of India**.** For the introduction of a no-confidence motion, at least 50 members of parliament in the Lok Sabha have to support it, and it must be admitted by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

What is a No Confidence Motion in Lok Sabha?

A No Confidence motion is a parliamentary procedure in the Lok Sabha. It is not applicable in the Rajya Sabha.
This motion is a formal way for members of the Lok Sabha to express their lack of confidence in the Council of Ministers.

Constitutional Status

The essence of Non Confidence motion lies in the Article 75 in the Constitution Of India.

The Article 75 states that:

(1) The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister
(2) The Minister shall hold office during the pleasure of the President
(3) The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People
(4) Before a Minister enters upon his office, the President shall administer to him the oaths of office and of secrecy according to the forms set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule.
(5) A Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of either House of Parliament shall at the expiration of that period cease to be a Minister.
(6) The salaries and allowances of Ministers shall be such as Parliament may from time to time by law determine and, until Parliament so determines, shall be as specified in the Second Schedule The Attorney General for India.

Article 75 (3), NCM Features

The concept of collective responsibility means that all members of the Council of Ministers, collectively, are accountable to the Lok Sabha (House of the People) for their actions and decisions.
It implies that they act as a unified body and share responsibility for the government's policies and actions. If one Minister or the government as a whole is criticised or faces a vote of no confidence, all members of the Council of Ministers are collectively answerable.
In case a vote of No Confidence is passed the entire Council of Ministers will have to resign.

Procedure of No Confidence Motion

No Confidence Motion is a process by which the Lok Sabha evaluates whether the Council of Ministers still commands the confidence of the Lok Sabha. The process of raising a No Confidence Motion is as follows:

Motion: A member notifies the Speaker of the Lok Sabha regarding the No Confidence Motion.
Admissibility: It is decided by the Speaker whether the motion is admissible under the rules of procedure.
Number of Supporters: There should be at least 50 supporters of the motion before it is considered.
Discussion: The Speaker decides the day for debate on the motion so that there can be an argument for and against the motion.
Vote: Voting takes place after the debate on the motion, usually by way of a division.
Consequence: The Council of Ministers is supposed to resign since the House loses confidence in the Council of Ministers.

How many times No Confidence Motion Passed in India?

The first ever no confidence movement was moved in 1963.
Till now a total of 26 no motions have been moved so far.
The government of Indira Gandhi faced the maximum number of no confidence motions.

Which are the last No Confidence Motions moved in the Parliament?

1993: Narsimha Rao Government (Government won the vote)
1999: Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Government lost the vote of no confidence by one vote )
2003: Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Government won the vote of no confidence)
2008: ManMohan Singh Government (Government won the vote)

Key Features

It need not state the reasons for its adoption in the Lok Sabha.
It can be moved against the Council of Ministers only.
It is moved for ascertaining the confidence of Lok Sabha in the Council of Ministers.
If it is passed in the Lok Sabha, the Council of Ministers must resign from office.

Significance

Fix the accountability of the Government in power:
Force the government to discuss important issues which the government is trying to avoid. It is a powerful political tool for the opposition to challenge the government's authority, highlight issues, and make their grievances public
Encourage political consciousness by encouraging discussions.
There is a potential for change in the government if the motion is won. It may signify the change in the will of the people, if the opposition is able to reflect the issues of the people.