TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Historical Background
- Constitutional Provisions
- Composition of Lok Sabha
- Reservation of Seats
- Qualifications for Membership
- Disqualifications
- Duration of Lok Sabha
- Sessions of Lok Sabha
- Presiding Officers (Speaker & Deputy Speaker)
- Powers and Functions of Lok Sabha
- Special Powers of Lok Sabha
- Legislative Procedure (Relation with Rajya Sabha)
- Officers and Secretarial Support
- Limitations on Lok Sabha
- Key Committees of Lok Sabha
- Important Parliamentary Terms
- Summary
1. Introduction
Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Indian Parliament, but in practice it is the more powerful house, representing the people of India directly.
- It embodies popular sovereignty.
- Responsible government in India derives its legitimacy from Lok Sabha.
- The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha (Article 75).
2. Historical Background
- 1919 Government of India Act: Introduced bicameralism at central level (Legislative Assembly + Council of State).
- 1935 Government of India Act: Strengthened central legislature.
- 1947: Constituent Assembly adopted parliamentary form of government.
- 1952: First Lok Sabha constituted after first general elections.
3. Constitutional Provisions
Lok Sabha is governed primarily by Articles:
- Art. 79–122 (Parliament structure, privileges, officers)
- Art. 327–329 (Elections)
- Art. 81–84 (Composition & qualifications)
- Art. 93–97 (Speaker, Deputy Speaker, salaries)
- Art. 100–108 (Voting, joint sittings)
- Art. 109–111 (Money Bills, President’s assent)
4. Composition of Lok Sabha
Article 81: Composition of the House of the People
Maximum strength (original): 552 members
- 530: States
- 20: Union Territories
- 2: Anglo-Indian members (nominated by President) — abolished by 104th Amendment, 2020
Current Structure
- 543 elected seats
- 530 from States
- 13 from Union Territories
Method of election
- Direct elections
- By first-past-the-post system (FPTP)
- Single-member constituencies
Delimitation
- Based on population; frozen till 2026 by 84th and 87th Amendments.
5. Reservation of Seats
Article 330 & 332
- Seats reserved for SCs and STs in proportion to population.
- Determined by Delimitation Commission.
Article 331 (Abolished)
- President could nominate Anglo-Indian members (ended in 2020).
6. Qualifications for Membership (Article 84)
A person must:
- Be an Indian citizen
- Be 25 years or older
- Be a registered voter in India
- Meet any additional qualifications set by Parliament (e.g., anti-defection, office of profit).
7. Disqualifications (Article 102)
A member can be disqualified for:
- Holding an office of profit
- Unsound mind declared by court
- Undischarged insolvent
- Not a citizen of India / acquired foreign citizenship
- Disqualified under Representation of People Act (RPA) 1951
- Corrupt practices
- Criminal conviction (2+ years)
- Failure to declare election expenses
- Defection under Tenth Schedule
8. Duration of Lok Sabha (Article 83)
- 5-year term from first sitting
- Can be dissolved earlier by the President
- During national emergency, Parliament can extend term by 1 year at a time
- Must conduct elections within 6 months after Emergency ends.
9. Sessions of Lok Sabha
- President summons Lok Sabha sessions (Article 85)
- Must meet at least twice a year
- Interval between two sessions cannot exceed 6 months
Important Sessions
- Budget Session (Feb–May)
- Monsoon Session (July–Aug)
- Winter Session (Nov–Dec)
10. Presiding Officers of Lok Sabha
10.1 Speaker of Lok Sabha (Article 93)
Elected by members of Lok Sabha from among themselves.
Powers & Functions
- Presides over meetings
- Maintains order and decorum
- Final interpreter of:
- Constitution
- Rules of Procedure
- Conduct of Business
- Decides whether a Bill is a Money Bill (Art. 110)
- Can suspend disorderly members
- Head of Parliamentary Committees
- Votes only in case of a tie (casting vote)
- Tenth Schedule — decides disqualification under anti-defection law
10.2 Deputy Speaker (Article 93)
- Elected by Lok Sabha members
- Acts in absence of Speaker
10.3 Panel of Chairpersons
- Appointed by Speaker
- Preside when Speaker & Deputy Speaker absent
11. Powers and Functions of Lok Sabha
11.1 Legislative Powers
- Equal power with Rajya Sabha in ordinary law-making
- Money Bills originate only in Lok Sabha
11.2 Financial Powers
- Budget presented in Lok Sabha
- Money Bills must be passed by Lok Sabha
- Rajya Sabha can only make recommendations
- Control over public finances
11.3 Executive Control
Government is responsible to Lok Sabha.
Instruments of control include:
- Question Hour
- Zero Hour
- Adjournment Motion
- No-confidence Motion
- Censure Motion
- Calling Attention Motion
- Cut motions in Budget
11.4 Electoral Functions
- Elects Vice President (Electoral college with RS)
- Participates in Presidential election (with states)
11.5 Judicial Functions
- Impeachment of President
- Removal of Supreme Court and High Court judges
- Punish members for breach of privilege
12. Special Powers of Lok Sabha
- Money Bills
- Lok Sabha has exclusive power to introduce and pass Money Bills.
- Control over Council of Ministers
- Government must resign if Lok Sabha passes no-confidence motion.
- Joint Session
- Speaker presides over joint sitting (Art. 108).
- Financial control
- Demands for Grants are voted only in Lok Sabha.
13. Lok Sabha vs Rajya Sabha (Legislative Relation)
| Area | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Bills | Equal powers | Equal |
| Money Bills | Dominant | Limited role |
| Budget | Full control | Discuss only |
| Govt responsibility | Collectively responsible | Not responsible |
| Joint sitting | Larger strength dominates | Smaller role |
14. Officers and Secretarial Support
Lok Sabha Secretariat
- Provides administrative support
- Non-partisan staff
- Headed by Secretary-General (equivalent to Cabinet Secretary)
15. Limitations on Lok Sabha
- Judicial review
- Constitutional amendments require special majority
- Federal nature — Rajya Sabha important for states
- Certain powers of President (ordinance, veto)
- Money Bills cannot be used to amend Constitution (K.S. Puttaswamy case comment)
16. Key Committees of Lok Sabha
- Public Accounts Committee (PAC) — Chairman from Opposition
- Estimates Committee
- Committee on Public Undertakings
- Committee on Privileges
- Business Advisory Committee
- Committee on Petitions
- Committee on Absence of Members
- Committee on Subordinate Legislation
17. Important Parliamentary Terms
- Quorum – 10% of total membership
- Whip – Party discipline enforcer
- Point of Order – Member can challenge procedure
- Division – Voting by recorded votes
- Motion – Request for House to act
18. Summary
The Lok Sabha is the core of India’s parliamentary democracy.
- It represents the people directly through 543 elected members.
- Exercises superior financial powers, including exclusive authority over Money Bills and the annual budget.
- The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha—giving it the power to make or break governments.
- The Speaker plays a crucial constitutional role in maintaining order and interpreting rules.
- Through legislative, financial, judicial, and executive control functions, Lok Sabha is the center of political authority in India.
So helpful .