The Union Legislature
Overview
The Union Legislature of India is called the Parliament. It is the supreme law-making body at the national level. India has a bicameral legislature, meaning it has two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Parliament is located in New Delhi. Along with the President of India, the two houses constitute the Parliament of India.
Composition of Parliament
Lok Sabha (House of the People)
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total strength | 552 (maximum): 530 from states, 20 from Union Territories, 2 nominated (Anglo-Indian community — though this was extended until 2020 only) |
| Current strength | 543 elected members |
| Method of election | Direct election by universal adult suffrage |
| Term | 5 years, unless dissolved earlier |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker (elected by Lok Sabha members) |
| Deputy Speaker | Elected by Lok Sabha members |
| Qualifications | Must be a citizen of India; at least 25 years old; no criminal record; not holding an office of profit |
'The Lok Sabha is the house of the people — it represents the will of the nation.' — B. R. Ambedkar
Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total strength | 250 (maximum): 238 elected, 12 nominated |
| Current strength | 245 members |
| Method of election | Indirect election by elected members of State Legislative Assemblies |
| Nominated members | 12 nominated by the President for expertise in art, literature, science, social service |
| Term | 6 years; one-third retire every 2 years (permanent house — cannot be dissolved) |
| Presiding Officer | Vice President of India (ex officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha) |
| Deputy Chairman | Elected by Rajya Sabha members |
| Qualifications | At least 30 years old; otherwise same as Lok Sabha |
Functions of Parliament
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Legislative | Make laws on subjects in the Union and Concurrent Lists |
| Financial | Approve the budget; impose taxes; control over expenditure |
| Executive control | Question ministers; debate policies; no-confidence motions |
| Judicial | Impeachment of President; removal of judges |
| Electoral | Elect the President and Vice President |
| Constituent | Amend the Constitution |
| Representational | Represent the views and interests of the people and states |
Law-Making Procedure
A bill passes through several stages to become a law.
Types of Bills
| Type | Description | Where Introduced |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary bill | Any matter other than money/finance | Either House |
| Money bill | Deals with taxes, expenditure, borrowing | Lok Sabha only (Art. 110) |
| Financial bill | Contains financial clauses but is not a Money bill | Either House (but Lok Sabha's recommendation needed) |
| Constitutional amendment bill | Amends the Constitution | Either House (special majority required) |
Stages of an Ordinary Bill
- First reading — Bill introduced; title read; published in the Gazette
- Second reading — Detailed scrutiny: select committee, clause-by-clause discussion
- Third reading — Debate on the bill as a whole; vote on passage
- Other House — Same three-reading process in the second House
- President's assent — Bill becomes an Act only after the President signs it
Joint Sitting
If the two houses disagree on a bill (other than a Money bill), the President may call a joint sitting. The Lok Sabha, having more members, usually prevails.
Presiding Officers
The Speaker of Lok Sabha
| Power | Description |
|---|---|
| Presides over sessions | Maintains order; decides who speaks |
| Certifies Money bills | Final authority on whether a bill is a Money bill |
| Casting vote | Votes only in case of a tie |
| Disciplinary powers | Can suspend members for disorderly conduct |
| Committee appointments | Chairs the Business Advisory Committee; appoints committee chairs |
The Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Vice President of India)
| Power | Description |
|---|---|
| Presides over Rajya Sabha | Maintains order |
| Casting vote | Votes only in case of a tie |
| Cannot vote on Money bills | Rajya Sabha cannot reject Money bills; only delay them |
Parliamentary Committees
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Standing Committees | Estimates Committee, Public Accounts Committee, Committee on Public Undertakings |
| Select Committees | Appointed for specific bills |
| Joint Committees | Members from both houses |
| Departmental Committees | Scrutinise the work of specific ministries |
Key Powers of Parliament
| Power | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Exclusive power of Lok Sabha | Vote on Money bills; no-confidence motions |
| Exclusive power of Rajya Sabha | Power to create All India Services; pass resolutions on state subjects |
| Impeachment of President | Two-thirds majority in both houses |
| Removal of Vice President | Resolved by Rajya Sabha, approved by Lok Sabha |
| Amendment of Constitution | Special majority in both houses |
| Control over Union Territories | Full legislative authority |
Self-Test
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Fill in the blank: The maximum strength of Lok Sabha is ______ members. (Answer: 552)
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True or False: The Rajya Sabha can be dissolved by the President. (Answer: False — it is a permanent house)
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Match: (a) Lok Sabha — Speaker; (b) Rajya Sabha — Chairman (Vice President); (c) Parliamentary bill — Three readings. (Answer: All correct)
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Name the bill: Which type of bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha? (Answer: Money bill)
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Explain: What is a joint sitting of Parliament and when is it called? (Answer: When the two houses disagree on an ordinary bill, the President calls a joint sitting where the matter is resolved by majority vote.)
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Critical thinking: Why does the Constitution give more power to the Lok Sabha than the Rajya Sabha in financial matters? (Answer: Because Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people and is more accountable to them; taxation should be determined by the people's representatives.)
Summary
The Indian Parliament is the cornerstone of the world's largest democracy. The bicameral structure — Lok Sabha (representing the people) and Rajya Sabha (representing the states) — ensures both popular will and federal balance. The law-making process, with its three readings and committee scrutiny, is designed to ensure deliberation and careful consideration. The Lok Sabha's primacy in financial matters reflects democratic principles, while the Rajya Sabha's permanence provides stability. For ICSE students, understanding the Union Legislature is essential for grasping how laws are made and how democracy functions in India.
This chapter is aligned with the ICSE Class 9 2025–26 Civics syllabus prescribed by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE).
