Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Constitutional Provisions
- Nature of Indian Parliament
- Composition of Parliament
- 4.1 President (Art. 52–62)
- 4.2 Lok Sabha (Art. 79–85)
- 4.3 Rajya Sabha (Art. 80–88)
- Strength of Houses
- Qualifications & Disqualifications
- Presiding Officers
- Sessions, Quorum & Procedures
- Parliamentary Devices
- Parliamentary Committees
- Special Powers of Each House
- Joint Sitting
- Relationship Between Two Houses
- Parliamentary Secretariat
- Summary
1. INTRODUCTION
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body of the country.
It embodies the principle of parliamentary democracy, where the executive is responsible to the legislature.
Its structure is defined under Part V (Union), Chapter II of the Constitution.
2. CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
- Articles 79–122: Parliament
- Articles 52–78: President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers, PM
- Articles 123–124: Ordinances & Judiciary linkage
Article 79 → “There shall be a Parliament for the Union consisting of the President, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).”
3. NATURE OF INDIAN PARLIAMENT
- Bicameral legislature (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha).
- Based on British parliamentary model.
- President is an integral part, though not a member.
- Upper House (Rajya Sabha) = Permanent House.
- Lower House (Lok Sabha) = House of people, more powerful in money matters.
4. COMPOSITION OF PARLIAMENT
4.1 PRESIDENT (Arts. 52–62)
President is a part of Parliament because:
- Summons and prorogues Parliament
- Addresses Parliament (Art. 87)
- Gives assent to bills (Art. 111)
- Issues ordinances (Art. 123)
- Can dissolve Lok Sabha
Not a member of either House.
4.2 LOK SABHA (House of the People)
Articles 81–85
- Directly elected by people through universal adult suffrage.
- Maximum strength 552 (Article 81):
- 530 from States
- 20 from Union Territories
- 2 Anglo-Indians (Nominated) ✔ Removed by 104th Amendment, 2019
Current Strength: 543 elected members
Term (Art. 83)
- Normal term = 5 years
- Can be dissolved earlier
4.3 RAJYA SABHA (Council of States)
Articles 80–88
- Not subject to dissolution (Permanent House).
- 1/3rd members retire every 2 years.
- Maximum strength: 250
- 238 elected by states/UTs
- 12 nominated by President (Experts in art, literature, science, social service – Art. 80(1)(a))
Current Strength: 245
Election Method
- Indirect: elected by MLAs through Single Transferable Vote (STV) under Proportional Representation.
5. STRENGTH OF HOUSES (Summary Table)
| House | Maximum Strength | Present Strength | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lok Sabha | 552 | 543 (Elected) | Art. 81 |
| Rajya Sabha | 250 | 245 | Art. 80 |
| President | Integral part | — | Art. 79 |
6. QUALIFICATIONS & DISQUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications (Art. 84)
- Citizen of India
- Minimum age:
- 25 years – Lok Sabha
- 30 years – Rajya Sabha
- Sound mind
- Not insolvent
- Voter in any Parliamentary Constituency
- Additional qualifications may be prescribed by Parliament (RPA, 1951)
Disqualifications
(Art. 102 + Representation of People Act, 1951)
- Office of profit
- Unsound mind
- Undischarged insolvent
- Not a citizen of India / acquired foreign citizenship
- Disqualification under anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule)
- Criminal conviction (Sec. 8, RPA, 1951)
7. PRESIDING OFFICERS
Lok Sabha
- Speaker – Most powerful office in Parliament
- Deputy Speaker
- Functions:
- Conduct proceedings
- Interpret rules
- Decides disqualification under Anti-Defection
- Certifies Money Bills (Art. 110)
Rajya Sabha
- Chairman = Vice-President of India (Art. 64)
- Deputy Chairman
8. SESSIONS, QUORUM & PROCEDURES
Sessions (Art. 85)
At least two sessions must not be more than 6 months apart.
Traditionally 3 sessions:
- Budget Session (Feb–May)
- Monsoon Session (Jul–Sep)
- Winter Session (Nov–Dec)
Quorum (Art. 100)
- 1/10th of total membership required to conduct business.
9. PARLIAMENTARY DEVICES
For information seeking:
- Question Hour
- Zero Hour
- Calling Attention
- Short Duration Discussion
- Half Hour Discussion
For accountability:
- No-Confidence Motion
- Censure Motion
- Adjournment Motion
- Privilege Motion
- Cut Motions (Budget)
10. PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES
Two types:
1. Standing Committees
- Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
- Estimates Committee
- Committee on Public Undertakings
- DRSCs (Department related) – 24 committees
2. Ad-hoc Committees
- Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPC)
- Select Committees
- Inquiry committees
Importance: Detailed scrutiny, expert examination, reduces burden on Parliament.
11. SPECIAL POWERS OF EACH HOUSE
Lok Sabha
- Money Bills can originate only in LS (Art. 109)
- Controls executive through No-Confidence motion
- Greater financial powers
Rajya Sabha
- Can create All India Services (Art. 312)
- Can authorise Parliament to legislate on State List subjects (Art. 249)
- Has role in removal of VP (Art. 67)
12. JOINT SITTING (Art. 108)
Called by President to resolve deadlock on ordinary bills.
Presided by Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Money Bills & Constitutional Amendment Bills → No joint sitting.
13. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO HOUSES
- Designed to ensure balance between federal principles (RS) and democratic principles (LS).
- Lok Sabha generally more powerful, but Rajya Sabha acts as revising chamber.
- Smooth legislative process depends on government majority in Lok Sabha and cooperation with Rajya Sabha.
14. PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIAT
Each House has an independent secretariat:
- Lok Sabha Secretariat
- Rajya Sabha Secretariat
Responsible for:
- Administrative support
- Record keeping
- Legislative drafting
- Committee support
15. SUMMARY
- Indian Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha.
- Based on bicameralism and parliamentary democracy.
- Lok Sabha = directly elected, 5-year term; more powerful in financial matters.
- Rajya Sabha = permanent house, indirectly elected; special federal powers.
- Multiple devices ensure govt accountability, transparency & deliberation.
- Parliamentary Committees extend the efficiency and depth of legislative scrutiny.
- Parliament is central to lawmaking, representation, oversight, debate, and constitutional governance.