Parliament and the Lok Sabha
In a colony meeting each lane chooses one representative who raises the lane’s problems. In the Lok Sabha too, each constituency has one representative.
Parliament is the legislature of the country made up of the President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha is the lower, first house and its members are elected directly by the people.
Key idea 1 : Structure of Parliament — The President and the two houses together make up Parliament. Though part of Parliament, the President does not take part in the debates of the houses.
Key idea 2 : Election and term of the Lok Sabha — Members are elected from territorial constituencies. The term is 5 years and general elections are held every five years. An election held after a house is dissolved early is a mid-term election. Some seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
Key idea 3 : Strength and eligibility — The Constitution allows a maximum of 550 members (530 of the states and 20 of the Union Territories); in practice 543 members are elected. Maharashtra has 48 MPs. A candidate must be an Indian citizen of at least 25 years; 18 years is enough to vote.
- Easy : What is the term of the Lok Sabha? — 5 years.
- Medium : The Lok Sabha was dissolved in four years; what is the election called? — A mid-term election.
- Exam-type : Can a 17-year-old contest? — No; a candidate needs at least 25 years.
In the figure: Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha.
What happened before the first general election? In 1951 the Election Commission under Sukumar Sen prepared voter lists for about 17 crore people, most of whom could not read. Each party got a picture symbol, and many women who had given their names only as ‘wife of…’ were asked to give their own names.
What happened after the first general election? The election of 1951–52 took about four months. The first Lok Sabha met on 13 May 1952, and G. V. Mavalankar became its first Speaker.
The Lok Sabha is the house directly elected by the people; its members are known as MPs.
The textbook gives the maximum as 552; since 2020 the nomination of Anglo-Indian members has ended, so today it is 550. In the exam write the number your teacher tells you.
Lok Sabha = direct election, 5 years, candidate 25 years, voter 18 years. Memory clue: ‘5-25-18’.
Spot the difference
| Point | Lok Sabha |
|---|---|
| How members are chosen | Directly by the people |
| Term | 5 years |
| Minimum age to contest | 25 years |
| Voting age | 18 years |
Practice questions
- 1What makes up Parliament?
- 2Why is the Lok Sabha called the ‘first house’?
- 3What is the term of the Lok Sabha?
- 4What is a mid-term election?
- 5What conditions must one meet to become a Lok Sabha member?
- 6The President is part of Parliament yet does not join the debates; explain.
- 7State the difference between the constitutional maximum and the members actually elected.
- 8Where will you get information on who the MP of your constituency is?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1The President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
- 2Because its members are elected directly by the people.
- 35 years.
- 4The election held after the Lok Sabha is dissolved before its term ends.
- 5Indian citizenship and at least 25 years of age.
- 6The President is an inseparable part of Parliament but is not expected to take part in either house’s debates.
- 7The maximum is the Constitution’s limit (550); in practice 543 members are elected.
- 8You can see the constituency-wise list on the Election Commission’s or the Lok Sabha’s website.
Rajya Sabha and the presiding officers
Some members of a school committee change every year while others stay, so its work never stops. The Rajya Sabha too runs without a break.
The Rajya Sabha is the upper, second house of Parliament. It represents the states, members are elected indirectly, and it is never dissolved completely, so it is called the ‘permanent house’.
Key idea 1 : Strength — Maximum 250: 238 of the states and Union Territories and 12 nominated by the President (experienced people from literature, arts, science, sports, social work). Today there are actually 245 members (233 elected + 12 nominated).
Key idea 2 : Election, term and retirement — Members of the state assemblies elect Rajya Sabha members by proportional representation; seats depend on a state’s population. A candidate must be at least 30. The term is 6 years and one-third of the members retire every two years.
Key idea 3 : Presiding officers — In the first meeting after the election, Lok Sabha members elect a Speaker and Deputy Speaker from among themselves; the Speaker runs the house fairly, keeps discipline and interprets the rules. The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
- Easy : Who is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha? — The Vice-President.
- Medium : With a six-year term, what part of the members retire every two years? — One-third.
- Exam-type : Why is it the ‘permanent house’? — It is never dissolved at once; members retire step by step and new ones come in.
In the figure: Six-year term, one-third retiring every two years and new members elected.
The Rajya Sabha held its first sitting on 13 May 1952. The then Vice-President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan became its first Chairman and held the post for ten years (two terms).
The Lok Sabha is directly elected and gets dissolved; the Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected and permanent. Its powers on money bills are limited.
The textbook mentions 28 states and 9 Union Territories; today there are 28 states and 8 Union Territories. In the exam write as your teacher tells you.
Rajya Sabha = 6 years, candidate 30 years, one-third retire every 2 years. Memory clue: ‘6-30-2’.
Spot the difference
| Point | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Election | Direct | Indirect |
| Term | 5 years | 6 years; 1/3 retire every 2 years |
| Age to contest | 25 years | 30 years |
| Presiding officer | Speaker | Chairman (Vice-President) |
Practice questions
- 1Why is the Rajya Sabha called the ‘upper house’?
- 2Who is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
- 3How many members does the President nominate to the Rajya Sabha?
- 4Why is the Rajya Sabha a ‘permanent house’?
- 5How are Rajya Sabha members elected?
- 6State the functions of the Lok Sabha Speaker.
- 7Why are the nominated Rajya Sabha members experienced people? Write your opinion.
- 8Write three differences between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Because it is the second, upper house of Parliament and represents the states.
- 2The Vice-President (ex-officio).
- 312 members.
- 4Because it is never dissolved at once; members retire step by step.
- 5Members of the state assemblies elect them by proportional representation.
- 6Run the house fairly, protect members’ rights, keep discipline and dignity and interpret the rules.
- 7Because experience from fields like literature, arts, science and social work helps debates and laws.
- 8Direct/indirect election; term 5/6 years; age to contest 25/30; the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the Rajya Sabha is permanent.
Functions of Parliament and constitutional amendment
Small daily rules at home can be changed easily, but a big decision needs the consent of more members. It is the same with constitutional amendments.
The three main functions of Parliament: making laws, controlling the council of ministers and amending the Constitution.
Key idea 1 : Making laws — New laws are made for public welfare, outdated laws are repealed and changes are made as needed. Example: abolition of the privy purses.
Key idea 2 : Control over the ministers — The Prime Minister and ministers are members of Parliament; Parliament controls them through debates, Question Hour, Zero Hour and the no-confidence motion.
Key idea 3 : Three ways to amend the Constitution — Some provisions change by a simple majority of Parliament; some by a special (two-thirds) majority; and some by a special majority plus the consent of more than half the states.
- Easy : Who repeals an outdated law? — Parliament.
- Medium : What is a special majority? — Two-thirds, as the textbook says.
- Exam-type : Why is the states’ consent needed for some provisions? — Because they affect the powers of the states.
In the figure: Making laws, control over ministers and amending the Constitution.
A constitution amendment bill is considered important; Parliament discusses why it is needed and then decides.
There is not one single way for all amendments; there are three ways depending on the provision.
Simple majority, special majority, special majority + states. Memory clue: ‘simple – special – special-plus’.
Spot the difference
| Way | Whose consent is needed |
|---|---|
| Simple majority | Simple majority of Parliament |
| Special majority | Two-thirds majority of Parliament |
| Special majority + states | Two-thirds majority and more than half the states |
Practice questions
- 1State the three main functions of Parliament.
- 2Why are outdated laws repealed?
- 3Abolishing the privy purses is an example of which function?
- 4How does Parliament control the ministers? Give two ways.
- 5Which are the three ways of amending the Constitution?
- 6Why is it important that the Prime Minister and ministers are members of Parliament?
- 7Explain why the consent of the states is needed for some provisions.
- 8What might have happened to the Constitution if every change were easy? Write your opinion.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Making laws, controlling the council of ministers and amending the Constitution.
- 2Because with time they become useless and new needs arise.
- 3Of the function of making (repealing) laws.
- 4Debates, Question Hour, Zero Hour, no-confidence motion — any two.
- 5Simple majority; two-thirds majority; two-thirds majority and consent of more than half the states.
- 6Because then Parliament can control them and they stay answerable to it.
- 7Because those provisions affect the powers of the states and the federal structure.
- 8The Constitution would keep changing and lose stability; so bigger changes need a bigger majority.
How a bill becomes a law
A school trip plan is first put on paper, discussed in class, changed, and becomes final only when the principal signs. A law is also made step by step.
The draft of a law is called a bill. After passing through three readings in both houses and getting the President’s assent and signature, the bill becomes a law.
Key idea 1 : Two kinds of bills — A money bill concerns taxes and finance; it is introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha has limited powers. The others are ordinary bills.
Key idea 2 : Three readings — First reading: the minister or member introduces the bill and explains its nature. Second reading: discussion on the aims, sent to a committee if needed, then clause-by-clause discussion and voting. Third reading: brief discussion and voting for approval.
Key idea 3 : The other house and the President — The other house follows the same process. If the houses disagree, a joint meeting decides. When the President gives assent and signs, it becomes law. State legislatures follow the same process, but the Governor’s assent is needed.
- Easy : What is the draft of a law called? — A bill.
- Medium : In which house is a money bill introduced? — In the Lok Sabha.
- Exam-type : What if the President does not sign? — Without the signature a bill cannot become a law.
In the figure: Three readings and the President’s signature — the journey from bill to law.
What happened before the Right to Information Act? In the 1990s villagers in Rajasthan, through the MKSS led by Aruna Roy, demanded to see the muster rolls and bills of local works so that they could check for cheating.
What happened after the Right to Information Act? Parliament passed the RTI Act in 2005 (in force from 12 October 2005), giving every citizen the right to ask the government for information.
Every February the Finance Minister presents the national budget in the Lok Sabha.
There is no joint meeting of the houses for a money bill; the final decision on it is the Lok Sabha’s.
Introduce – debate – vote – sign = law. Memory clue: ‘readings 1-2-3, then signature’.
Spot the difference
| Reading | What happens |
|---|---|
| First | Bill introduced and its nature explained |
| Second | Discussion on aims and clauses, committee, changes, voting |
| Third | Brief discussion and vote for approval |
Practice questions
- 1What is a bill?
- 2Which are the two kinds of bills?
- 3Whose job is it to make laws?
- 4What happens in the first reading?
- 5Which are the two stages of the second reading?
- 6What is done if the two houses disagree?
- 7How is a law made in a state legislature?
- 8Why are there so many debates and committees on a bill? Write your opinion.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1The draft of a law.
- 2Money bill and ordinary bill.
- 3Parliament’s.
- 4The minister or member introduces the bill and briefly explains its nature.
- 5Discussion on aims (committee if needed), then clause-by-clause discussion and voting.
- 6A joint meeting of both houses decides.
- 7The same process as in Parliament; finally the Governor’s assent is needed.
- 8Because debate reveals flaws and makes the law better.