Parliament of India
Indian Constitution - Delhi Police Exams
Introduction
The Parliament of India is the law-making body at the Union level. It represents the will of the people and ensures that laws, policies, and national programs are debated, discussed, and approved democratically.
Constitutional Basis: Part V – Chapter II (Articles 79 to 122)
Memory Trick: Parliament = President + People's Houses (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha).
Structure of Parliament
According to Article 79, the Parliament consists of:
The President
Constitutional Head
Lok Sabha
House of the People
Rajya Sabha
Council of States
A. Lok Sabha (House of the People)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Article | 81-89 |
| Maximum Strength | 552 members |
| Present Strength (2024) | 543 members |
| Tenure | 5 years (unless dissolved earlier) |
| Election | Directly elected by the people (Universal Adult Franchise - 18+) |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker |
| Minimum Age | 25 years |
| Special Powers | Money Bills originate here; No-confidence motion against government |
B. Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Article | 80-83 |
| Maximum Strength | 250 members |
| Present Strength (2024) | 245 members |
| Tenure | Permanent House; 1/3rd members retire every 2 years |
| Election | Indirect election by MLAs using Proportional Representation (STV system) |
| Presiding Officer | Vice President (Ex-officio Chairman) |
| Minimum Age | 30 years |
| Special Powers | Can allow Parliament to make laws on State List (Article 249) |
Trick: Lok Sabha = Law-making House chosen by Lok (people).
Trick: Rajya Sabha = States' Voice & Permanent Review House.
Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
| Feature | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Election | Direct | Indirect |
| Tenure | 5 years | Permanent |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker | Vice President |
| Dissolution | Yes | No |
| Money Bills | Can originate here | Cannot originate |
| Membership Age | 25 years | 30 years |
One Line: Lok Sabha initiates, Rajya Sabha reviews.
Powers and Functions of Parliament
The Parliament performs Legislative, Executive, Financial, Judicial, Electoral, and Miscellaneous functions.
A. Legislative Powers
Makes laws on subjects in Union List and Concurrent List. During an Emergency, Parliament can also make laws on the State List.
B. Financial Powers
Controls the Union Budget. Money Bills can only originate in the Lok Sabha. Passes Demands for Grants and Appropriations Bill.
C. Executive Powers
Controls the Council of Ministers. Can remove the government through a No-Confidence Motion.
D. Constitutional Powers
Can amend the Constitution under Article 368.
E. Judicial Powers
Can impeach the President (Article 61). Can remove Judges of the Supreme Court or High Court.
F. Electoral Powers
Participates in the election of the President and Vice President.
G. Miscellaneous Powers
Approves emergency proclamations (National, State, or Financial Emergency).
Memory Trick: L-F-E-C-J-E = Law, Finance, Executive, Constitution, Judicial, Emergency.
Types of Bills
A Bill is a draft proposal for making a new law or amending an existing law.
A. Ordinary Bill
- Deals with subjects other than money or constitutional matters
- Can be introduced in either House
- Must be passed by both Houses and receive President's assent
- Disagreement: President can summon a Joint Sitting (Article 108)
B. Money Bill (Article 110)
- Deals only with financial matters (taxes, loans, expenditure)
- Can be introduced only in Lok Sabha and with the President's permission
- Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject it — only give recommendations (within 14 days)
- Speaker of Lok Sabha decides if a Bill is a Money Bill
Trick: Money Bill = Lok Sabha Monopoly.
C. Constitutional Amendment Bill (Article 368)
- Can be introduced in either House
- Requires a Special Majority (2/3 members present & voting + majority of total strength)
- No Joint Sitting in case of disagreement
- President must give assent (no veto)
Trick: Ordinary = Simple, Money = Special Lok Sabha, Amendment = Special Both.
Procedure of Passing a Bill
First Reading
Introduction of the Bill in either House
Second Reading
Detailed discussion and committee stage for review
Third Reading
Final discussion and voting
Transmission to Other House
Follows the same process again
President's Assent
The President may give assent, withhold assent, or return (except Money Bill) for reconsideration
Trick: Read – Revise – Repeat – Reach President.
Speaker and Chairman – Powers and Roles
A. Speaker of Lok Sabha
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Elected By | Members of Lok Sabha |
| Tenure | 5 years or till dissolution |
| Role | Presiding officer of Lok Sabha |
Powers & Functions:
- Presides over Lok Sabha sessions and maintains order
- Certifies Money Bills (final authority)
- Decides on disqualification under Anti-Defection Law
- Allows motions like No-Confidence or Adjournment Motions
- Ensures discipline and decorum
- Represents the House in all official communications
Trick: Speaker Speaks for the House, not the Party.
B. Chairman of Rajya Sabha
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Vice President of India (Ex-officio Chairman) |
| Assisted By | Deputy Chairman (elected by Rajya Sabha) |
| Role | Presides over Rajya Sabha sessions |
Powers & Functions:
- Presides and maintains order in the House
- Decides on procedural issues
- Refers Bills to committees
- Does not vote normally, but can vote in case of a tie
Trick: Vice President Chairs States' House.
PYQs (Delhi Police, SSC & State Exams)
The Parliament of India consists of —
A) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha B) President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha C) Prime Minister, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha D) President and Lok Sabha only
Show Answer
B) President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha
The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is —
A) 545 B) 552 C) 250 D) 260
Show Answer
B) 552
The Rajya Sabha is a —
A) Temporary House B) Permanent House C) Dissolvable House D) Joint House
Show Answer
B) Permanent House
Who presides over the Rajya Sabha?
A) Speaker B) Vice President C) Prime Minister D) President
Show Answer
B) Vice President
Money Bills can be introduced —
A) In either House B) Only in Lok Sabha C) Only in Rajya Sabha D) By the President
Show Answer
B) Only in Lok Sabha
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha decides —
A) Whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not B) Who becomes the PM C) Election of the President D) Constitutional Amendments
Show Answer
A) Whether a Bill is a Money Bill or not
The minimum age to be a member of Lok Sabha is —
A) 18 years B) 21 years C) 25 years D) 30 years
Show Answer
C) 25 years
Which Article defines the composition of Parliament?
A) Article 74 B) Article 79 C) Article 80 D) Article 81
Show Answer
B) Article 79
Constitutional Amendment Bills are passed by —
A) Simple majority B) Special majority C) Joint sitting D) President alone
Show Answer
B) Special majority
The Rajya Sabha can create a new All India Service under —
A) Article 249 B) Article 312 C) Article 110 D) Article 368
Show Answer
B) Article 312
Summary Table – Parliament at a Glance
| Component | Articles | Election | Tenure | Presiding Officer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| President | 52 | Indirect | 5 years | — |
| Lok Sabha | 81–89 | Direct | 5 years | Speaker |
| Rajya Sabha | 80–83 | Indirect | Permanent | Vice President |
| Money Bill | 110 | Lok Sabha only | — | Speaker certifies |
| Amendment Bill | 368 | Either House | — | President's assent compulsory |
Final Concept Recap
- Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha
- Lok Sabha → Directly elected, more powerful, Money Bills
- Rajya Sabha → Permanent House, reviews laws
- Speaker (Lok Sabha) → Decides Money Bills, maintains order
- Vice President (Rajya Sabha) → Ex-officio Chairman
- Types of Bills → Ordinary, Money (Art. 110), Amendment (Art. 368)
- Procedure → 3 Readings + Both Houses + President's Assent
One-Line Memory: Lok Sabha initiates, Rajya Sabha reviews, President approves.
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