Confidence Motion and Floor Test

Definition

A motion moved by the government to prove that it commands the confidence of the House, tested through a vote on the floor known as the floor test.

Key points

• The government moves it to demonstrate majority, often when asked by the President or Governor after a doubt arises.
• A floor test is the actual vote that decides whether the ministry retains majority support.
• A composite floor test is held when rival claimants both assert a majority, comparing strength side by side.
• The Supreme Court in S. R. Bommai (1994) held that majority must be decided by a floor test, not by the Governor's subjective assessment.
• It is the converse of a concept no confidence motion, which the opposition moves.

Why it matters for CAPF

The floor-test principle from Bommai is central to government-formation disputes and the limits on gubernatorial discretion, a recurring federalism theme.

Common confusion

A confidence motion is moved by the government to prove majority, while a no-confidence motion is moved by the opposition to unseat it; both are decided by a floor vote.

Parent note

parliament