The Parliament of India (Union Legislature)
Rajya Sabha vs. Lok Sabha
| Feature | Rajya Sabha | Lok Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum strength | 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated) | 550 (530 states + 20 UTs) |
| How elected | Indirectly, by state assembly MLAs (single transferable vote) | Directly by the people |
| Term | Permanent house — 1/3 retire every 2 years; member term 6 years | 5 years; can be dissolved earlier |
| Presiding officer | Chairman = the Vice-President | The Speaker |
| Minimum age | 30 years | 25 years |
Who Controls the Money?
On ordinary matters the two houses are almost equal, but on money the Lok Sabha is clearly more powerful. A Money Bill (Article 110) can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, and only on the President's recommendation. The Speaker decides whether a bill is a Money Bill.
Types of Bills & How a Law Is Made
Not every bill is the same. Knowing the four types helps you instantly answer "where can this be introduced" and "does the Rajya Sabha have a say".
| Type of Bill | Key rule |
|---|---|
| Ordinary Bill | Can be introduced in either House; both Houses have equal power; a deadlock can go to a joint sitting (Art. 108). |
| Money Bill (Art. 110) | Only in Lok Sabha, only on President's recommendation; Rajya Sabha has 14 days to recommend changes (non-binding); no joint sitting ever. |
| Financial Bill (Art. 117) | Contains money matters plus other provisions. Type I is treated almost like a Money Bill (Lok Sabha only, President's prior recommendation); Type II can be introduced in either House but needs President's recommendation before consideration. |
| Constitutional Amendment Bill (Art. 368) | Can originate in either House; needs special majority (majority of total membership + 2/3 of members present & voting) in each House separately; no joint sitting if the Houses disagree. |
An ordinary bill goes through the same three readings in each House: First Reading (introduction), Second Reading (general discussion → committee stage → clause-by-clause consideration), Third Reading (final vote on the bill as a whole, no more amendments). Then the President gives assent under Article 111 — the President may assent, withhold assent, or (for non-Money Bills) return it once for reconsideration.
Devices of Parliamentary Control
Beyond passing laws, Parliament keeps a daily check on the government through specific devices, mostly used in the Lok Sabha.
| Device | What it does |
|---|---|
| Question Hour | First hour of a sitting; members ask Starred (oral answer + supplementary), Unstarred (written answer only) and Short Notice questions to ministers. |
| Zero Hour | Begins immediately after Question Hour (around 12 noon — hence "zero hour"); an Indian innovation, not mentioned in the Rules, for raising urgent matters without prior notice. |
| No-Confidence Motion | Moved only in the Lok Sabha (needs support of 50 members to be admitted) against the Council of Ministers as a whole; if it passes, the entire ministry must resign. |
| Adjournment Motion | To draw attention to an urgent matter of public importance; treated as a censure of the government (hence needs 50 members' support); can only be moved in the Lok Sabha. |
| Censure Motion | Against a specific minister or the whole Council for a specific policy failure; must state reasons; unlike no-confidence, government need not resign even if it passes (though it usually does politically). |
| Calling Attention Motion | A member calls a minister's attention to an urgent public issue and asks for an authoritative statement; an Indian device, not found in British practice. |
Parliamentary Committees & the Anti-Defection Law
Parliament cannot examine every detail of government spending or every bill on the floor — much of the real scrutiny happens through committees.
| Committee | Role |
|---|---|
| Public Accounts Committee (PAC) | 22 members (15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha); examines the CAG's reports on government spending; Chairperson conventionally from the Opposition. |
| Estimates Committee | 30 members, all from Lok Sabha only; examines the budget estimates and suggests economies in public expenditure — the "continuous economy audit" committee. |
| Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) | 22 members (15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha); examines the reports and accounts of public sector undertakings (PSUs). |
| Department-Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) | 24 committees (16 Lok Sabha + 8 Rajya Sabha) since 1993, each covering one or more ministries; examine bills, budgets and policies referred to them. |
The Anti-Defection Law — added as the Tenth Schedule by the 52nd Amendment (1985) — disqualifies a member of Parliament or a State legislature for defection. A member is disqualified if they voluntarily give up membership of their party, or vote/abstain contrary to a party whip without prior permission (unless condoned within 15 days).
- The decision on disqualification for defection is made by the Chairman/Speaker of the House — a decision the Kihoto Hollohan case (1992) held is subject to judicial review.
- The 91st Amendment (2003) removed the earlier exception that allowed a "split" of one-third of a party to escape disqualification, and capped the size of a Council of Ministers at 15% of the strength of the Lower House — a direct reaction to defection-driven governments.
Key takeaways
- Article 79: Parliament = President + Rajya Sabha + Lok Sabha. The President is a part of Parliament.
- Rajya Sabha: max 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated), permanent, 6-yr term, Chair = Vice-President, min age 30.
- Lok Sabha: max 550, directly elected, 5-yr term, Speaker presides, min age 25.
- Money Bill (Art 110): only in Lok Sabha; Speaker certifies; Rajya Sabha returns in 14 days (recommend only).
- Joint sitting (Art 108) — presided by the Speaker; never for Money or Constitutional Amendment bills. Quorum = 1/10; max gap between sessions = 6 months.
- Four bill types: Ordinary (either House, joint sitting possible), Money (Art 110, Lok Sabha only), Financial (Art 117), Constitutional Amendment (Art 368, special majority in each House separately, no joint sitting). Ordinary bill: 3 readings then presidential assent (Art 111).
- No-Confidence, Adjournment and Calling Attention Motions can be moved only in the Lok Sabha (Council of Ministers is responsible only to it, Art. 75(3)). Zero Hour and Calling Attention Motion are Indian innovations, not in the Rules of Procedure.
- PAC & COPU: 22 members each (15 LS + 7 RS). Estimates Committee: 30 members, Lok Sabha only. Anti-Defection Law (10th Schedule, 52nd Amendment 1985): Speaker/Chairman decides, subject to judicial review (Kihoto Hollohan, 1992). 91st Amendment (2003): capped Council of Ministers at 15% of Lower House strength.
Practice questions (12)
Attempt each one before opening the answer. Every explanation names the tempting wrong option as well as the right one, because that is where marks are lost.
Under Article 79, the Parliament of India consists of:
Show answer
Answer: B — President, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
Article 79 states Parliament consists of the President, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. The President is a part of Parliament.The presiding officer (Chairman) of the Rajya Sabha is the:
Show answer
Answer: C — Vice-President
The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha as envisaged by the Constitution is:
Show answer
Answer: C — 550
The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is 550 (530 from states + 20 from Union Territories).A Money Bill can be introduced only in the:
Show answer
Answer: B — Lok Sabha
Under Article 110, a Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha, on the recommendation of the President.Who decides whether a bill is a Money Bill or not?
Show answer
Answer: C — The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha certifies whether a bill is a Money Bill, and this decision is final.Consider the following statements about the Rajya Sabha:
1. It is a permanent house and cannot be dissolved.
2. One-third of its members retire every two years.
Which is/are correct?Show answer
Answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct — the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body, and one-third of its members retire every two years (each member serves 6 years).A joint sitting of both houses of Parliament is presided over by the:
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Answer: C — Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Under Article 108, a joint sitting is presided over by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (not the Vice-President).The quorum to constitute a sitting of either House of Parliament is:
Show answer
Answer: A — One-tenth of the total members
The quorum is one-tenth of the total number of members of that House.A No-Confidence Motion against the Council of Ministers can be moved only in the:
Show answer
Answer: B — Lok Sabha
A No-Confidence Motion can be moved only in the Lok Sabha, since the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible only to the Lok Sabha under Article 75(3).The Anti-Defection Law is contained in which Schedule of the Constitution, added by which amendment?
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Answer: B — Tenth Schedule, 52nd Amendment
The Anti-Defection Law was added as the Tenth Schedule by the 52nd Amendment (1985).The Estimates Committee of Parliament has members from:
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Answer: A — Lok Sabha only
Unlike the PAC and COPU (which have members from both Houses), the Estimates Committee has all 30 members from the Lok Sabha only.Consider the following statements about a Constitutional Amendment Bill (Article 368):
1. It requires a special majority in each House separately.
2. A joint sitting can be called if the two Houses disagree on it.
Which is/are correct?Show answer
Answer: A — Only 1
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong — a joint sitting is never held for a Constitutional Amendment Bill; if the Houses disagree, the bill simply fails.