Parliament & State Legislatures
Complete Notes for SSC GD GK Preparation
1. Introduction
India has a Parliamentary System at the union level and a Legislature in every state. This topic is among the most asked sections in SSC GD Polity.
Parliament is the supreme law-making body of the Union Government.
2. Structure of Parliament
| Part of Parliament | Role |
|---|---|
| President | Head of Parliament |
| Lok Sabha | House of People; elected |
| Rajya Sabha | Council of States; permanent house |
3. Lok Sabha (House of the People)
✔ Directly elected by the people.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Members | 552 max (Currently 543 elected + 2 nominated Anglo-Indians — nomination ended in 2020) |
| Term | 5 years |
| Minimum Age | 25 years |
| Head | Speaker |
| Election Type | Direct election |
A. Composition (Constitutional Provision)
As per Article 81:
- 530 – States
- 20 – Union Territories
- 2 – Anglo-Indians (Removed by 104th Amendment, 2020)
B. Important Powers of Lok Sabha
✔ 1. Financial Powers (Most Important)
- Money Bill can be introduced only in Lok Sabha
- Lok Sabha controls budget
- Rajya Sabha cannot reject Money Bill
✔ 2. Election of Speaker & Deputy Speaker
✔ 3. No-confidence Motion
Only Lok Sabha can remove the Council of Ministers by No Confidence Motion.
✔ 4. Joint Sittings
In case of deadlock between houses → Lok Sabha has more power.
C. Important Officers of Lok Sabha
| Post | Role |
|---|---|
| Speaker | Presiding officer; controls debates |
| Deputy Speaker | Acts in Speaker's absence |
| Leader of House | Usually Prime Minister |
| Leader of Opposition | Leader of largest opposition party |
🔥 The Speaker is one of the most powerful constitutional authorities.
4. Rajya Sabha (Council of States)
✔ Indirectly elected
✔ Permanent house (not dissolved)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Members | 250 (max) |
| Current Strength | 245 |
| Term | 6 years |
| 1/3rd Members | Retire every 2 years |
| Minimum Age | 30 years |
| Head | Vice President (Chairman) |
A. Composition of Rajya Sabha
| Type | Number |
|---|---|
| Elected Members (States/UTs) | 233 |
| Nominated by President | 12 (Artists, scientists, poets, thinkers) |
B. Powers of Rajya Sabha
✔ 1. Can approve laws (except money bills)
✔ 2. Special Powers (Important for SSC GD)
- Can create new All India Services (Art 312)
- Can allow Parliament to legislate on State subjects
✔ 3. Checks & Balance on Lok Sabha
C. Officers of Rajya Sabha
| Post | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Vice President of India |
| Deputy Chairman | Elected by Rajya Sabha |
5. Difference Between Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha
| Point | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Election | Direct | Indirect |
| Age | 25 | 30 |
| Term | 5 years | 6 years |
| Money Bill | Exclusive power | Limited role |
| Dissolution | Yes | No |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker | Vice President |
6. Sessions of Parliament
| Session | Months |
|---|---|
| Budget Session | Feb–May |
| Monsoon Session | July–Sept |
| Winter Session | Nov–Dec |
Minimum Sessions: 2 per year (Usually 3)
7. Types of Bills
| Type of Bill | Who Introduces? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Money Bill | Only Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha can only suggest changes |
| Finance Bill | Lok Sabha | Related to taxes |
| Ordinary Bill | Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha | Any topic except money |
| Constitutional Amendment Bill | Either House | Special majority needed |
8. Joint Sitting of Parliament
Called by:
President to resolve disputes on bills
Presided by:
Lok Sabha Speaker
No Joint Sitting for:
- Money Bills
- Constitution Bills
9. State Legislatures (Vidhan Sabha & Vidhan Parishad)
✔ Unicameral Legislature (Most states)
Only Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly)
✔ Bicameral Legislature (6 States)
- Bihar
- Uttar Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
🔥 Memory Trick: "BUM-KAT" → Bihar, UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra, Telangana
🔹 Vidhan Sabha (State Legislative Assembly)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Lower House |
| Term | 5 years |
| Minimum Age | 25 years |
| Head | Speaker |
| Election | Direct |
Powers similar to Lok Sabha but at state level.
🔹 Vidhan Parishad (State Legislative Council)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Upper House |
| Members | 40–1/3 of Vidhan Sabha |
| Term | 6 years |
| Age | 30 years |
| Election | Indirect |
Not all states have it.
10. Legislative Procedure (How a Bill Becomes Law)
- Bill introduced in either house (except money bill)
- Debated
- Passed by majority
- Sent to other house
- Passed
- Sent to President
- President signs → Bill becomes an Act (Law)
11. Important Constitutional Articles (Very Important)
| Article | Topic |
|---|---|
| Art 79 | Parliament |
| Art 80 | Rajya Sabha |
| Art 81 | Lok Sabha |
| Art 85 | Sessions |
| Art 93 | Speaker/Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha |
| Art 94–97 | Officers & Salaries |
| Art 100 | Voting in Parliament |
| Art 109 | Money Bills |
| Art 168 | State Legislatures |
| Art 171 | Legislative Council |
12. Important Facts for SSC GD
- Lok Sabha = Strongest house
- Rajya Sabha = Permanent house
- Money Bill = Lok Sabha only
- Speaker = Most important officer
- Vice President = Chairman of Rajya Sabha
- Joint session = Lok Sabha Speaker presides
- Only 6 states have Legislative Council
- States can request creation/abolition of Council
- President summons and prorogues sessions
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