Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
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Parliament — Key Facts for BPSC
- Bicameral legislature: Lok Sabha (Lower House) + Rajya Sabha (Upper House)
- Total strength: Lok Sabha — 545 seats (2 Anglo-Indian nominated); Rajya Sabha — 245 seats (12 nominated by President)
- Term: Lok Sabha — 5 years (can be dissolved); Rajya Sabha — permanent (1/3 retire every 2 years)
- Presiding Officers: Lok Sabha — Speaker (elected); Rajya Sabha — Chairman (VP of India, not member)
- Money Bill: Only Lok Sabha can introduce; Rajya Sabha can only recommend (must return in 14 days)
- Special powers: Impeachment of President, Constitutional amendment (initiation only by Lok Sabha)
⚡ Exam tip: Know the differences between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha — composition, term, powers, and what requires “special majority.” BPSC frequently asks about Money Bill procedure.
🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)
Standard content for students with a few days to months.
Parliament: Structure and Composition
Lok Sabha (House of the People)
Composition (Article 81):
- 545 members: 530 from states, 20 from UTs (after 31st Amendment, 1973)
- 2 Anglo-Indian members nominated by President (after 126th Amendment, not yet implemented)
- Minimum age: 25 years to contest
- Elected by direct election from single-member constituencies
- Term: 5 years (dissolved earlier in case of emergency — Article 83)
Speaker of Lok Sabha:
- Elected from among members (not the government)
- Presides over Lok Sabha sessions
- Casting vote in case of tie
- Symbol of people’s supremacy
Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
Composition (Article 80):
- 245 members: 12 nominated by President + up to 233 elected by state MLAs
- Nominated members: Eminent personalities in literature, art, science, social service
- Elected by proportional representation (single transferable vote) — state MLAs vote
- Minimum age: 30 years (higher than Lok Sabha)
- Not dissolved — permanent chamber; 1/3 members retire every 2 years
Chairman of Rajya Sabha:
- Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman (Article 64)
- Deputy Chairman elected from among members
Comparison of Houses
| Feature | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Lower House, people’s representation | Upper House, federal representation |
| Strength | 545 | 245 |
| Term | 5 years (dissolved) | 6 years (continuous) |
| Nominated members | 2 (Anglo-Indian) | 12 (Eminent persons) |
| Minimum age | 25 years | 30 years |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker | Vice-President (Chairman) |
| Executive responsible | Yes (confidence) | No (collective) |
| Can dissolve | Yes | No |
| Money Bill origin | Yes | No |
| Can be dissolved | Yes | No |
Legislative Powers
Ordinary Bill Procedure
Article 107-108: Both Houses must pass the bill:
- Introduced in either House (usually Lok Sabha)
- Referred to Standing Committee or passed in same session
- Passage from originating House → sent to other House
- Other House can:
- Pass the bill (same version) → Bill sent to President
- Amend → Returns to originating House (must agree to amendments)
- Reject → Bill dies
- No action for 6 months → President’s Rule possible
- President’s Assent: After both Houses agree (or President’s Rule if no consensus)
Money Bill (Article 110)
Definition: Bill containing only:
- Taxation, borrowing, Consolidated Fund expenditure
- Appropriation from Consolidated Fund
- Matters ancillary to above
Special Procedure:
- Only Lok Sabha can introduce a Money Bill
- President must refer to Rajya Sabha for “recommendations”
- Rajya Sabha must return within 14 days with recommendations
- Lok Sabha may accept/reject recommendations (no amendment)
- If not returned in 14 days → considered passed
- President cannot return Money Bill for reconsideration
Key differences from Ordinary Bill:
- Money Bill cannot be amended by Rajya Sabha
- Rajya Sabha has only 14 days (vs. indefinite for ordinary bills)
- Lok Sabha has final say on recommendations
Financial Bills (Not Money Bills)
Article 117: Financial bills (involving expenditure but not wholly taxation) can be introduced only in Lok Sabha, but Rajya Sabha can amend (with limitations). Passage requires simple majority in both Houses.
Other Key Powers
Impeachment Powers
1. Impeachment of President (Article 61):
- Can be moved by either House (not Rajya Sabha alone)
- Grounds: Violation of Constitution
- Procedure: Notice by 1/4 members → Investigation by 2/3 majority → Passed by both Houses
- Never used in Indian history
2. Removal of Judges (Article 124/218):
- Supreme Court Judges: Address by both Houses (2/3 majority)
- High Court Judges: Address by Parliament
3. CAG removal (Article 148): Same as Supreme Court judges — but CAG is not a judge
Constitutional Amendment Powers
Article 368:
- Bill must be introduced in either House
- Must be passed by 2/3 majority of present and voting in both Houses
- Cannot be amended in Rajya Sabha after passing in Lok Sabha — must be same version
- President’s assent: Cannot withhold — must give
Exception: Some amendments don’t require Rajya Sabha (President’s recommendation needed):
- Election of President (Art. 62) — only Lok Sabha resolves
- Fifth Schedule (tribal areas) — only Lok Sabha
🔴 Extended — Deep Study (3mo+)
Comprehensive coverage for students on a longer study timeline.
Parliamentary Privileges
Individual Privileges
Article 105: Members enjoy:
- Freedom of speech in Parliament (cannot be questioned outside)
- Protection from civil proceedings for speech in House
- Not liable to court for anything said in Parliament (only Parliament can penalise)
- Freedom from arrest: Cannot be arrested 40 days before/after session (civil cases only)
Key Cases:
- Kameshwar Singh v. Parliament (1952): Parliamentary privileges are part of fundamental structure
- P.V. Narasimha Rao v. State (1998): MP cannot be prosecuted for speech in Parliament
- Keshav Singh (1965): Privileges vs. Fundamental Rights conflict — privilege is supreme in Parliament
Collective Privileges
Powers:
- Arrest and punish strangers for contempt
- Regulate internal affairs
- Expel members for disorderly conduct
- Adjourn proceedings
Limits: Cannot override fundamental rights of citizens outside Parliament
Parliamentary Committees
Types of Committees
| Committee | Composition | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Standing Committee | Permanently elected | Examine bills, policies |
| Select Committee | MPs from both parties | Examine specific bill (temporary) |
| Joint Committee | MPs from both Houses | For important bills (44th Amendment) |
| Public Accounts Committee | 15 members (Lok Sabha majority) | Audit government accounts |
| Estimates Committee | 30 members | Examine budget estimates |
| Committee on Petitions | Lok Sabha members | Examine public representations |
Financial Committees
Public Accounts Committee (PAC):
- 15 members: 8 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha
- Examines: CAG audit reports — how money was spent
- Chaired by Leader of Opposition (not government)
- Most powerful parliamentary committee — exposes financial irregularities
Estimates Committee:
- 30 members from Lok Sabha only
- Recommends: Ways to reduce expenditure, improve efficiency
- Term: 5 years (one third replaced each year)
Committee on Public Undertakings:
- Examines working of government companies
Sessions and Business
Types of Sessions
| Session | Purpose | Initiated by |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Session | General business + budget | President’s address |
| Monsoon Session | Legislation | President’s summons |
| Winter Session | Legislation, urgent business | President’s summons |
| Special Session | Emergency business | President’s summons |
Minimum Sessions (Article 85):
- Budget Session: Must have at least one session within 6 months of last session
- No gap of more than 6 months between sessions
Quorum
- Minimum 1/10 members present (55 out of 545 for Lok Sabha)
- If quorum not met, Speaker can adjourn or adjourn to another date
Voting
Ordinary: Simple majority of present and voting Special: 2/3 majority of present and voting (constitutional amendments) Money Bill: Simple majority of Lok Sabha
Important Articles for BPSC
| Article | Content |
|---|---|
| Art. 75 | PM appointment |
| Art. 79-122 | Parliament structure |
| Art. 100 | Quorum and voting |
| Art. 105 | Parliamentary privileges |
| Art. 107-111 | Legislative procedure |
| Art. 117 | Financial bills |
| Art. 224A | Resignation of Speaker |
| Art. 368 | Amendment procedure |
Practice Questions (BPSC Pattern)
-
The Chairman of Rajya Sabha is:
- (a) Speaker of Lok Sabha
- (b) Vice-President of India
- (c) Prime Minister
- (d) Senior-most member
-
Money Bill can be introduced in:
- (a) Either House
- (b) Only Lok Sabha
- (c) Only Rajya Sabha
- (d) Joint sitting
-
A Money Bill is returned by Rajya Sabha after:
- (a) One month
- (b) Three months
- (c) 14 days
- (d) 10 days
-
The Constitution can be amended by:
- (a) Simple majority
- (b) 2/3 of members present and voting
- (c) 2/3 of total membership
- (d) 3/4 of states
Answers: 1(b), 2(b), 3(c), 4(b)
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