Overview
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body. It consists of three parts: 1. President of India 2. Rajya Sabha (Council of States / Upper House) 3. Lok Sabha (House of the People / Lower House)
Parliament makes laws, controls the finances of the government, and holds the executive accountable.
Lok Sabha — House of the People
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Lower House / Popular House |
| Members | 543 elected + (formerly 2 nominated Anglo-Indian) |
| Maximum strength | 552 |
| Term | 5 years (dissoluble) |
| Minimum age | 25 years |
| Quorum | 1/10th of total membership (55 members) |
| Presiding Officer | Speaker (elected by members) |
| Deputy | Deputy Speaker |
| First Speaker | G.V. Mavalankar |
| Current Speaker | Om Birla (as of 2024) |
Powers of Lok Sabha
- Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha
- Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha — if it loses confidence of Lok Sabha, the government falls
- Lok Sabha has more powers than Rajya Sabha in financial matters
- In a joint sitting (deadlock), Lok Sabha usually prevails due to higher membership
Rajya Sabha — Council of States
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Upper House / Permanent House |
| Maximum members | 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated by President) |
| Current strength | 245 |
| Term | Permanent (never dissolved); each member serves 6 years |
| Retirement | 1/3 retire every 2 years |
| Minimum age | 30 years |
| Presiding Officer | Vice President (ex-officio Chairman) |
| Deputy | Deputy Chairman (elected by Rajya Sabha members) |
| First Chairman | Dr. S. Radhakrishnan |
Special Powers of Rajya Sabha
- Can pass a resolution empowering Parliament to legislate on a State List subject (Article 249)
- Can create new All-India Services by a two-thirds majority resolution (Article 312)
- Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved — ensures continuity
- 12 nominated members = persons with expertise in literature, science, art, social service
Sessions of Parliament
Parliament meets in three sessions each year:
| Session | Months | Key Business |
|---|---|---|
| Budget Session | February – May | Union Budget, Finance Bill |
| Monsoon Session | July – August | General legislation |
| Winter Session | November – December | Various bills |
Important terms:
- Prorogation: End of a session (by President)
- Adjournment: Temporary suspension of a sitting
- Dissolution: End of Lok Sabha's life (only Lok Sabha, not Rajya Sabha)
- Sine die: Adjournment without naming a next meeting date
Types of Bills
| Bill Type | Introduction | Special Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Bill | Either House | Both Houses must pass; joint sitting if deadlock |
| Money Bill (Art. 110) | Lok Sabha only | Rajya Sabha has 14 days to return; can only recommend |
| Finance Bill | Lok Sabha | Contains both money and non-money provisions |
| Constitutional Amendment Bill (Art. 368) | Either House | Special majority (2/3rd present + voting, + majority of total membership) |
What is a Money Bill?
A Money Bill deals with:
- Imposition, abolition, remission of taxes
- Borrowing of money by government
- Custody of Consolidated Fund of India
- Appropriation of funds from Consolidated Fund
Certified by the Speaker as a Money Bill. Rajya Sabha cannot reject it — only send recommendations.
Speaker of Lok Sabha
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Election | By members of Lok Sabha |
| Term | Duration of Lok Sabha (5 years) |
| Removal | By resolution passed by majority of all members of Lok Sabha, with 14-day notice |
| Casting vote | Has a casting vote in case of a tie |
| Role | Maintains order, recognises members to speak, certifies Money Bills |
| Pro-tem Speaker | Appointed by President to administer oath to new members before Speaker is elected |
Important: The Speaker does not vacate office on dissolution of Lok Sabha — continues until the first sitting of the new Lok Sabha.
Legislative Process — How a Bill Becomes Law
1. Introduction — Bill introduced (First Reading) 2. Second Reading — Discussed in detail; referred to Select Committee if needed 3. Third Reading — Voted upon; passed by simple majority 4. Other House — Same process; if passed, goes to President 5. Presidential Assent — President signs the Bill; it becomes law 6. If deadlock (Ordinary Bills only) — Joint sitting convened
Important for Exam - Lok Sabha = 543 seats; term 5 years; min age 25 - Rajya Sabha = 250 seats (max); permanent house; min age 30; each member serves 6 years - Vice President = Chairman of Rajya Sabha (ex-officio) - Money Bills introduced in Lok Sabha only; Rajya Sabha has 14 days to return - Joint sitting presided by Lok Sabha Speaker - Speaker of Lok Sabha — elected by members; casting vote in tie - Sessions: Budget (Feb–May), Monsoon (Jul–Aug), Winter (Nov–Dec)
Previous Year TNPSC Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
Q1
The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of which House?
Q2
What is the minimum age to be elected to the Lok Sabha?
Q3
A Money Bill can be introduced only in:
Q4
Rajya Sabha is a permanent house because:
Q5
Who presides over a Joint Sitting of both Houses of Parliament?
Q6
Rajya Sabha has how many elected members (maximum)?