Introduction
The Legislature is the law-making body of a democratic state. In a representative democracy, it is the institution through which the will of the people is expressed in the form of laws. The Indian Parliament is a bicameral (two-house) legislature consisting of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), along with the President of India.
Why Do We Need a Legislature?
- To make laws that govern the country.
- To represent the people and their diverse interests.
- To control the executive through mechanisms like question hour, censure motions, and the budget.
- To debate national issues and serve as a deliberative forum.
- To approve the budget and control public finances.
Structure of Parliament
- Lok Sabha (Lower House / House of the People)
- Maximum strength: 552 members (530 from states, 20 from UTs, 2 Anglo-Indian members — the latter provision lapsed in 2020).
- Currently has 543 elected constituencies.
- Members are directly elected by the people through the FPTP system.
- Term: 5 years (can be dissolved earlier by the President on advice of PM).
- Minimum age for membership: 25 years.
- Speaker and Deputy Speaker preside over the Lok Sabha.
- Rajya Sabha (Upper House / Council of States)
- Maximum strength: 250 members (238 elected, 12 nominated by President for expertise in art, literature, science, or social service).
- Currently has 245 members.
- Members are elected by elected members of State Legislative Assemblies through PR-STV.
- A permanent body — one-third of members retire every 2 years; cannot be dissolved.
- Term of each member: 6 years.
- Minimum age: 30 years.
- Presided over by the Vice-President of India (Chairman) and Deputy Chairman.
Powers and Functions of Parliament
- Legislative Powers:
- Parliament can make laws on subjects in the Union List (97 subjects) exclusively.
- Parliament and State Legislatures can both make laws on subjects in the Concurrent List (47 subjects). In case of conflict, the central law prevails.
- Residual powers belong to Parliament.
- Financial Powers:
- Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha (Article 110).
- The Rajya Sabha can only delay a Money Bill by 14 days — it cannot amend or reject it.
- The Annual Union Budget is presented in the Lok Sabha.
- The Public Accounts Committee and the Estimates Committee oversee government spending.
- Control over Executive:
- Question Hour: Members can question ministers about their work.
- Zero Hour: Issues raised without advance notice.
- Adjournment Motion: Raises a definite matter of urgent public importance.
- No-Confidence Motion: If passed in Lok Sabha, the government must resign.
- Censure Motion: Censures the government for specific policies.
- Constitutional Powers:
- Parliament can amend the Constitution under Article 368.
- It elects the President and Vice-President (along with state assemblies).
- It can remove the President (impeachment), judges of Supreme Court and High Courts, the CEC, and the CAG.
Comparison: Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha
| Feature | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Election | Direct by citizens | Indirect by state legislature members |
| Term | 5 years | 6 years per member (permanent body) |
| Size (max) | 552 | 250 |
| Money Bills | Exclusive right to introduce | Can only delay 14 days |
| No-Confidence | Can pass no-confidence motion | Cannot pass no-confidence motion |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker | Vice-President (Chairman) |
Types of Bills
- 1.Ordinary Bills: Can be introduced in either House; both Houses must pass it.
- 2.Money Bills: Only in Lok Sabha; certified by Speaker; Rajya Sabha has limited role.
- 3.Financial Bills: Partly like money bills; may be introduced in Rajya Sabha.
- 4.Constitutional Amendment Bills: Special procedure under Article 368.
Joint Sitting (Article 108)
If there is a deadlock between the two Houses over an ordinary bill, the President can convene a joint sitting of both Houses. This is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Since Lok Sabha has nearly double the members of Rajya Sabha, it generally prevails. This provision does NOT apply to Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills.
Sessions of Parliament
- Parliament typically meets in three sessions:
- Budget Session: February to May
- Monsoon Session: July to August
- Winter Session: November to December
The period between two sessions must not exceed 6 months (so Parliament must meet at least twice a year).
Common mistakes
- A Money Bill can ONLY be introduced in the Lok Sabha — the Rajya Sabha cannot initiate, amend, or reject it; it can only delay.
- The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is never dissolved; only the Lok Sabha can be dissolved.
- The joint sitting is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, not the Vice-President.
- A joint sitting is NOT possible for Money Bills — the Lok Sabha has absolute supremacy on Money Bills.
Summary
India's bicameral Parliament consists of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha, directly elected and more powerful, especially in financial and executive-accountability matters, is complemented by the Rajya Sabha which represents states and serves as a reviewing chamber. Together, they perform legislative, financial, constituent, electoral, and oversight functions vital to Indian democracy.