Parliament of India

Subject: Polity | Unit: Union Government | Topic: Parliament Exam: AP Group 2 (APPSC) Prerequisites: President and Vice President

Introduction

Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India, consisting of the President and two Houses — Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and Lok Sabha (House of the People). It makes laws, controls public finances, and holds the executive accountable. Understanding the composition, powers, and procedures of Parliament is fundamental to Indian Polity.

Historical Context / Constitutional Background

India's bicameral Parliament was modelled on the British Westminster system. The Indian Councils Act 1909, Government of India Act 1919, and Government of India Act 1935 progressively introduced legislative bodies that evolved into the current Parliament. Article 79 establishes the Parliament as President + Rajya Sabha + Lok Sabha.

Core Content

Rajya Sabha (Council of States)

Composition (Article 80)

• Maximum strength: 250 members (238 elected + 12 nominated)
• Currently: 245 members (233 elected + 12 nominated)
• 238 elected by elected members of State Legislative Assemblies and UTs using single transferable vote (proportional representation)
• 12 nominated by President from persons with special knowledge in literature, science, art, social service
• AP currently has 11 Rajya Sabha seats

Key Features

• Permanent/continuing body — NOT subject to dissolution
• 1/3 of members retire every 2 years
• Term of each member: 6 years
• Minimum age: 30 years (Article 84)
• Chairman: Vice President (ex-officio) — NOT a member of RS
• Deputy Chairman: elected from among RS members
• Chairman has casting vote only in case of tie

Special Powers

• Article 249: Can pass resolution (by 2/3 majority) authorizing Parliament to legislate on State List subject — valid for 1 year
• Article 312: Can create new All-India Services by resolution with 2/3 majority

Lok Sabha (House of the People)

Composition (Article 81)

• Maximum strength: 552 (530 from states + 20 from UTs + 2 nominated Anglo-Indians)
• Currently: 543 members (all elected); Anglo-Indian nomination removed by 104th Amendment (2019)
• Directly elected by universal adult franchise
• AP currently has 25 Lok Sabha seats

Key Features

• Term: 5 years from date of first meeting; can be dissolved earlier by President
• Can be extended by 1 year at a time during National Emergency
• Minimum age: 25 years (Article 84)
• Speaker presides over Lok Sabha (elected from among members)
• Speaker has casting vote in case of tie; does not vote normally

Special Powers

• Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha (Art 109); RS can only delay by 14 days
• No-confidence motion can only be introduced in Lok Sabha
• Budget presented in Lok Sabha first
• Joint Sitting (Art 108) — Lok Sabha usually prevails due to larger numbers
• Council of Ministers collectively responsible to Lok Sabha only (Art 75)

Presiding Officers

Sessions of Parliament

• President summons sessions; gap between two sessions cannot exceed 6 months
• At least two sessions per year constitutionally required
• Three sessions conventionally: Budget (Feb-May), Monsoon (Jul-Aug), Winter (Nov-Dec)
• Quorum: 1/10 of total membership of each House (Art 100)

Legislative Procedure

Ordinary Bills (Article 107)

• Can be introduced in either House
• Must be passed by both Houses
• If disagreement → President may summon Joint Sitting (Art 108) — presided by Speaker

Money Bills (Articles 109-110)

• Can be introduced only in Lok Sabha on President's recommendation
• After LS passes, sent to RS; RS has 14 days to make recommendations
• LS may accept or reject RS recommendations
• Speaker's certificate that it is a Money Bill is final and cannot be questioned

Constitutional Amendment Bills (Article 368)

• Can be introduced in either House; must be passed separately; NO joint sitting

Parliamentary Privileges (Article 105)

• Freedom of speech in Parliament — no court action for anything said
• Freedom from arrest in civil cases during session and 40 days before/after
• Right to exclude strangers from proceedings
• Right to publish debates and proceedings

Comparison: Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha

Key Articles Table

Andhra Pradesh Connection

• AP has 25 Lok Sabha seats and 11 Rajya Sabha seats
• AP Legislative Assembly sends members to Rajya Sabha through elections
• AP's 25 Lok Sabha seats are distributed across parliamentary constituencies spanning 26 districts
• AP MPs play a significant role in shaping Central legislation affecting the state

Key Points Summary

1. Parliament = President + Rajya Sabha + Lok Sabha (Art 79)
2. RS: max 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated); LS: max 552 (now 543)
3. RS: permanent body, 6-year terms, 1/3 retire every 2 years
4. LS: 5-year term, can be dissolved earlier
5. RS: 30 years minimum age; LS: 25 years
6. VP is ex-officio RS Chairman; Speaker presides over LS
7. Money Bills: only in LS; RS gets 14 days only
8. Joint Sitting: only for ordinary bills, NOT Money or Amendment bills
9. Speaker presides over Joint Sitting
10. Art 249: RS can authorize Parliament to legislate on State List
11. Art 312: RS can create All-India Services (2/3 majority)
12. COM collectively responsible to Lok Sabha (Art 75)
13. No-confidence motion: only in Lok Sabha
14. Quorum: 1/10 of total membership
15. Speaker certifies Money Bill — certificate is final
16. At least 2 sessions per year; max 6-month gap

Exam Strategy

Key Terms Glossary