The Union Legislature — Parliament of India
Introduction
The UNION LEGISLATURE of India is called PARLIAMENT. It is the SUPREME legislative body — the LAW-MAKING organ of the Union Government. 'ICSE examiners emphasise: Parliament is the CORNERSTONE of Indian democracy. Articles 79–122 of the Constitution deal with Parliament. You MUST know the relevant ARTICLES for exam questions.'
Composition of Parliament
Parliament has THREE components:
| Component | Article | Role |
|---|---|---|
| President | Article 79 | HEAD of Parliament — summons, prorogues, addresses |
| Lok Sabha (House of the People) | Articles 81–88 | LOWER House — directly ELECTED by the people |
| Rajya Sabha (Council of States) | Articles 80, 83–87 | UPPER House — indirectly ELECTED |
'Parliament is BICAMERAL — two Houses. The President is an INTEGRAL part, but does NOT sit in either House.'
Lok Sabha — House of the People
Composition and Term
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Strength | 552 members (530 from States, 20 from UTs, 2 nominated by President from Anglo-Indian community) — NOTE: The 2 nominated seats were ABOLISHED by the 104th Amendment (2020) |
| Current Strength | 543 elected members |
| Election | DIRECT — universal adult suffrage (Article 326) |
| Term | 5 years (unless DISSOLVED earlier) |
| Dissolution | Can be dissolved by the President BEFORE full term |
Qualifications for Membership
- Must be a CITIZEN of India
- Must be at least 25 years of AGE
- Must not hold any OFFICE of profit under the government
- Must be MENTALLY sound and not bankrupt
The Speaker
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Election | Elected by Lok Sabha members from AMONG themselves |
| Role | Presides over the House, maintains ORDER |
| Powers | Decides WHETHER a bill is Money Bill, casts CASTING VOTE, can SUSPEND members |
| Impartiality | Expected to be NON-PARTISAN — but remains a party member |
| Special Power | Casting vote ONLY when there is a TIE (Article 100) |
Powers of Lok Sabha
| Power | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Legislative | Passes BILLS (except some money bills require Rajya Sabha's recommendation) |
| Financial | MONEY BILLS originate ONLY in Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha can only RECOMMEND changes |
| Control over Executive | Can pass a NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION — forces the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to RESIGN |
| Electoral | Participates in Presidential ELECTION |
| Judicial | Can initiate IMPEACHMENT of President and Judges |
Rajya Sabha — Council of States
Composition and Election
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Strength | 250 members |
| Current Strength | 245 members (233 from States + UTs, 12 nominated by President) |
| Election | INDIRECT — elected by ELECTED members of State Legislative Assemblies |
| Nominated Members | 12 — experts in LITERATURE, SCIENCE, ART, SOCIAL SERVICE (Article 80) |
| Term | PERMANENT House — NOT dissolved. One-third members RETIRE every TWO years |
| Term of Each Member | 6 YEARS |
Chairman of Rajya Sabha
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | The VICE-PRESIDENT of India is the EX-OFFICIO Chairman |
| Role | Presides over Rajya Sabha proceedings |
| Difference from Speaker | Does NOT have a casting vote — can VOTE only as a member of the House |
| Deputy Chairman | Elected by Rajya Sabha members — presides in Chairman's ABSENCE |
Special Powers of Rajya Sabha
| Power | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Creation of ALL-INDIA SERVICES | Can create new All-India Services by resolution |
| Emergency Extension | Can extend the life of Lok Sabha during NATIONAL EMERGENCY |
| State Matters | Can transfer matters from State List to Union List (by 2/3 majority) |
| Delay Bills | Can DELAY ordinary bills for up to 6 months (only RECOMMEND changes to Money Bills) |
Comparison: Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha
| Feature | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Election | YES | NO |
| Term | 5 years (dissolvable) | PERMANENT |
| Age Requirement | 25 years | 30 years |
| Money Bill Power | ORIGINATES here | Can only RECOMMEND (must return in 14 days) |
| No-Confidence Motion | Can PASS | CANNOT initiate |
| Strength | 543 + 2 (now 0) | 245 |
| Representation | By POPULATION | By STATES (equal representation) |
The Law-Making Process — How a Bill Becomes Law
Stages of a Bill
- Introduction — First Reading (title and objectives READ)
- Committee Stage — Sent to SELECT COMMITTEE for detailed examination
- Second Reading — Clause-by-clause DISCUSSION and voting
- Third Reading — Final VOTE on the bill as a whole
- Other House — Same procedure in the SECOND House
- President's Assent — The bill becomes an ACT (Article 111)
Types of Bills
| Bill Type | Special Feature |
|---|---|
| Ordinary Bill | Can originate in EITHER House. Rajya Sabha can DELAY for 6 months |
| Money Bill | ONLY in Lok Sabha. Rajya Sabha must return WITHIN 14 days (Article 110) |
| Constitutional Amendment | Requires 2/3 MAJORITY in BOTH Houses (Article 368) |
Budget — Financial Powers
| Step | Process |
|---|---|
| Presentation | Finance Minister presents the Budget in LOK SABHA |
| Discussion | General discussion on the Budget |
| Voting | Demand for GRANTS — voted by Lok Sabha |
| Appropriation Bill | Authorises WITHDRAWAL of money from the Consolidated Fund |
| Finance Bill | Contains TAX proposals |
Control Over the Executive
'Parliament exercises CONTROL over the Council of Ministers through:'
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Question Hour | Members ASK questions — Ministers must ANSWER |
| Zero Hour | Raise URGENT matters (no prior notice needed) |
| Adjournment Motion | INTERRUPT the regular business to discuss an URGENT matter |
| No-Confidence Motion | If passed, the Council of Ministers RESIGNS |
| Censure Motion | CRITICISES a specific policy — Minister may resign |
| Cut Motion | REDUCE the demand for grants |
Common Mistakes in ICSE Answers
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| Calling Rajya Sabha the 'Lower House' | Rajya Sabha = UPPER House. Lok Sabha = LOWER House |
| Forgetting 104th Amendment | Nominated Anglo-Indian seats in Lok Sabha ABOLISHED |
| Confusing CASTING VOTE | The Speaker uses it ONLY in case of a TIE |
| Thinking Money Bill needs Rajya Sabha approval | Rajya Sabha can only RECOMMEND — not veto |
ICSE Exam Focus — Marks Blueprint
| Question Type | Marks | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Composition of Lok Sabha / Rajya Sabha | 4-6 | Always |
| Powers and functions of the Speaker | 4-6 | Very High |
| How a Bill becomes a Law | 6-8 | Always |
| Financial powers — Budget process | 4-6 | Very High |
| Parliamentary control over Executive | 6-8 | High |
Self-Test
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Composition: What is the composition of the Rajya Sabha? How are its members ELECTED? Who NOMINATES 12 members?
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Speaker: Explain THREE powers of the Lok Sabha Speaker. What is the CASTING VOTE?
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Comparison: Differentiate between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on: (a) Election, (b) Term, (c) Powers over Money Bills.
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Law-making: Describe the JOURNEY of an Ordinary Bill from introduction to becoming an Act.
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Budget: What is a MONEY BILL? Why can it ONLY originate in Lok Sabha?
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Executive control: How does Parliament EXERCISE control over the Council of Ministers? Name ANY THREE methods.
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Articles: Which Article deals with: (a) Money Bills, (b) President's assent to bills, (c) Composition of Rajya Sabha?
Answers to Self-Test (Key Points)
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Maximum 250 members. 233 represent States/UTs (elected by State Legislative Assemblies). 12 nominated by President (experts). It is a PERMANENT House — not subject to dissolution.
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(1) Presides over House, maintains ORDER. (2) Decides if a bill is Money Bill. (3) Casts CASTING VOTE in a tie. The casting vote is used ONLY when votes are EQUAL — to break the deadlock.
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(a) Lok = DIRECT election. Rajya = INDIRECT. (b) Lok = 5 years (dissolvable). Rajya = PERMANENT (6-year terms). (c) Lok = Money Bills ORIGINATE here. Rajya = 14 days only, RECOMMEND changes.
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(1) First Reading — introduced. (2) Select Committee — scrutinised. (3) Second Reading — debated clause by clause. (4) Third Reading — final vote. (5) Other House — same process. (6) President's Assent — becomes ACT (Article 111).
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Money Bill = a bill dealing with TAXATION, government SPENDING, etc. (Article 110). It originates in Lok Sabha because Lok Sabha DIRECTLY represents the people — the power over TAXATION belongs to the people's representatives.
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(1) Question Hour — oral/written questions. (2) Zero Hour — urgent matters. (3) No-Confidence Motion — forces resignation. (4) Adjournment Motion — interrupts business for urgent debate.
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(a) Money Bills — Article 110. (b) President's assent — Article 111. (c) Rajya Sabha composition — Article 80.
